House Planning Help Podcast

Ben Adam-Smith reflects on how he's changed while making 200 podcasts about self and custom building. He also looks at how the podcast has changed with him. Check out the show notes for more information.

Ben Adam-Smith shares 20 insights about self-building that he has learned while making 200 podcasts and also tackling his own project. Check out the show notes for more information.

Self-builder Oliver Smallman tells us about planning, building and living in his London Passivhaus. Check out the show notes for more information.

Interior designer Emily Bizley explains how she and her husband, an architect, co-designed their RIBA shortlisted self-build home. Check out the show notes for more information.

Jon Martin explains how he beat the odds with his extraordinary self-build tree house. Check out the show notes for more information.

Lucy Pedler, architect and founder of The Green Register, talks about the importance of good communication throughout a self-build project. Check out the show notes for more information.

Gordon Lewis explains what cellulose insulation is, how it's applied and why self-builders can benefit from choosing it. Check out the show notes for more information.

Paul Testa from Paul Testa Architecture talks about how to predict the costs of a house build and shares his tips on limiting a self-build budget. Check out the show notes for more information.

Simon Corbey from ASBP shares some of his research into the costs and life cycle of plastic windows and suggests some considerations for self-builders. Check out the show notes for more information.

Michael Holmes from NaCSBA explains the Right to Build initiative and how it will impact on the future of custom and self-builds. Check out the show notes for more information.

Lloyd Alter from TreeHugger shares his advice on what we should be prioritising as 21st century self-builders. Check out the show notes for more information.

Ben Adam-Smith explains how he and his wife have been specifying their new home (which will be built to Passivhaus standard). Check out the show notes for more information.

Actor and TV presenter Robert Llewellyn shares his insights about the future of electric cars and energy production. Check out the show notes for more information.

Richard Hawkes from Hawkes Architecture tells us about the exceptional circumstances in which planning for rural new builds may be granted. Check out the show notes for more information.

Will Kirkman from Ecomerchant shares the key results of a survey the company ran to find out what self-builders worry about most. Check out the show notes for more information.

Ben and Kay Adam-Smith have a difference in opinion over which windows to specify for their new build Passivhaus home. While Ben is keen to minimise mullions, transoms and window frames, Kay believes this takes away from the aesthetics. Check out the show notes for more information.

Ben Adam-Smith reviews what it took to be granted planning permission for his new Passivhaus home. Check out the show notes for more information.

Donal O'Leary tells us about his self-build in Ireland and shares advice for a successful project. Check out the show notes for more information.

Buckinghamshire Passivhaus has become one of the most airtight buildings in the UK. As such, we consider what factors contributed towards their exceptional result of 0.08 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals. Check out the show notes for more information.

Justin Broadbent from ISO Energy explains the options available for extracting energy from water on your plot of land. Check out the show notes for more information.

Jack Harvie-Clark from Apex Acoustics provides an overview of acoustics in the home. He also explains how we might go about controlling noises and soundproofing. Check out the show notes for more information.

Ben Adam-Smith runs through the main options of where to live while your new home is under construction. While there's potential to save a lot of money it should not impact significantly on your comfort, state of mind or key relationships. Check out the show notes for more information.

Cath Hassell from ech2o consultants explains why connecting to mains drainage is generally the best option for a new build home. She also runs through some alternatives if this is not possible. Check out the show notes for more information.

Clare Whitney from Clayworks explains how clay plasters are made, their applications and why we might choose them over other wall finishes. Check out the show notes for more information.

Architect Ruth Butler shares the story of building a contemporary Passivhaus on an overlooked, brownfield site. Check out the show notes for more information.