Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Hello! This is episode 289, and in it, I’m talking with Building Surveyor, Laura Terrnova, Director of Deemed to Perform Consulting about project compliance, building approvals and updates to the National Construction Code. This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript,...

Hello! This is episode 288, and in it, I’m sharing Part 2 of my conversation with Building Biologist, Zara D’Cotta, from The Healthy Home.  This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/288 ] If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of my co...

Hello! This is episode 287. In it, I’m talking with Building Biologist, Zara D’Cotta, from The Healthy Home. She’s here to talk about healthy buildings and share her thoughts on how recent National Construction Code changes might affect how healthy our buildings are.  This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022. [For all resources mentioned in this podc...

Hello! This is Episode 286. In it, I’m going to share some detail about the specific updates that have been made to the latest iteration of our National Construction Code in Australia. This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/285...

Hello! This is Episode 285. In it, I’m kicking off a series we’ll be running on the podcast over the next few months all about the National Construction Code. You’ll learn more about what it is, the updates and changes that have and continue to be made to it, and what you need to know about how it impacts your renovation or new build. This episode is part of a special series on the National Constr...

Hello! This is Episode 284. In it, I want to share with you some learnings, some personal experience, and some insights into why your home is so cold. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/284 ] I’ll be discussing some of the key things to understand if you’re wanting to improve the comfort of your home when renova...

Hello! This is Episode 283. In it, I’m going to discuss builders’ margins, what they are, what they should be, the difference between markups and margins, how much you should be told, and what this information all tells you when choosing a builder. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/283 ] This will be really use...

Hello! This is Episode 282. In it, I’m going to talk about getting a second opinion on your design, and whether it’s something you should consider in your project. I’ll share the main reasons I see homeowners seek them, and the mistakes to avoid in sourcing second opinions on your home design and project. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to...

Hello! This is Episode 281, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with Dylan Viviers, National Specification Manager from Holcim, all about low carbon concrete. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/281 ] If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of our conversation, be sure to head back to Episode 280 to catch up on t...

Hello! This is Episode 280, and in it, I’m talking with Dylan Viviers, National Specification Manager from Holcim, all about low carbon concrete. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/280 ] Concrete is one of those tricky materials as far as sustainability is concerned. It’s super durable and long-lasting, so from...

Hello! This is Episode 279, and it’s the third episode of my series with Steve Marskell from Rescom Building Products about Magnesium Oxide Board. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/279 ] If you haven’t listened to Part 1 and Part 2 of my conversation with Steve, head back to Episode 277 and Episode 278. You’ll...

Hello! This is Episode 278, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with Steve Marskell from Rescom Building Products. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/278 ] Rescom Building Products was founded in 2009, and today produces the world’s #1 ISO:8336 Certified High Performance Magnesia Cement Building Products....

Hello! This is Episode 277, and in it, I’m talking with Steve Marskell from Rescom Building Products about Magnesium Oxide Board.  [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/277 ] Up front … and as you’ll hear across my conversation with Steve, you’ll learn that not all Magnesium Oxide Boards are the same. And so, knowi...

Hello! This is Episode 276. In it, I’m going to discuss your project team, and how to ensure you bring the right people on board. When renovating or building your home, your team really does make all the difference. They can make your project a total joy, or a total disaster.  [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/...

Hello! This is Episode 275, and in it, I’m going to be talking about Barndominiums. A barndominium is a type of residential structure that design-wise, combines the features of a barn and a condominium.  [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/275 ] This is a type of building that’s been around for a while, and is mo...

Hello! This is Episode 274, and in it, I want to follow on from my last episode about the 3 challenges when working with a volume builder, and in this episode, share some key tips about how to get it right in a volume builder process. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/274 ] if you haven’t listened to my last ep...

Hello! This is Episode 273, and in it, I’m going to talk about a part of the industry that dominates new building in Australia, and in many other parts of the world, and that’s Volume Builders. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/273 ] Known by a few names, Volume Builders are the part of the industry that offer...

Hello! This is Episode 272. In it, I’m going to answer a question I commonly receive from homeowners.  And this question is: I want to do my project as an Owner Builder. What do I need to be aware of with this? [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/272 ] Homeowners will have different reasons for thinking about bei...

Hello! This is Episode 271, and in it, I’m talking with Anthea Maynard, who is the Dilapidation Manager and Senior Building Consultant at Melbourne-based consulting business, BSS Group. And we’re discussing Dilapidation Reports. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/271 ] Now, for many, the first time you hear of a...

Hello! This is Episode 270. In it, I’m going to share 5 key points to know about your roof design.  If you’re getting ready for your renovation or new build, or you’re currently working on your floor plan design with an architect, building designer, draftsperson, directly with a builder, or you’re even designing your own home, this episode will be super helpful for you. [For all resources mentione...

Hello! This is Episode 269. In it, I’m going to discuss a post I recently saw on Facebook that really had me shaking my head about what people are enduring when building and renovating their homes … and I want to help you NOT go through the same thing, so we’re going to talk about it. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchit...

Hello! This is Episode 268, and in it, I’m going to dive into 5 problems I commonly hear from those who are starting their renovation or new build project. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/268 ] If you’re listening to this podcast episode, and you’re dreaming about your future home but not sure when you’ll mak...

Hello! This is Episode 267, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with Joost Bakker, and learning more about his Future Food System, and approach to building and living without waste. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/267 ] If you haven’t listened to Episode 266 and Part 1 of this conversation, I recommend...

Hello! This is Episode 266, and in it, I’m so SO so looking forward to bringing you my amazing guest, Joost Bakker. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/266 ] In this and the next episode, Joost generously shares with us his zero waste approach to his projects and work, and in particular, his latest project: Futur...

Hello! This is Episode 265, and in it, I’m talking with architect, Emilio Fuscaldo of Nest Architects, about Green Roofs and all electric homes. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/265 ] If you haven’t listened to Episode 264, that was Part 1 of my conversation with Emilio, where we discussed the green roof he di...