Coming soon, I chat to Jon Broome and Nick Grant about their new book. In the meantime they've both been on the podcast before. Check out these episodes if you haven't already:
www.houseplanninghelp.com/107
www.houseplanninghelp.com/282
#Architecture #CommunityLedHousing #Passivhaus #SelfBuild
I've been lucky enough to film at some fantastic #Passivhaus projects over the years. And I want to create more short videos in 2026! As everything starts to turn green we'll be underway. So have you got a project that you want to shout about?
www.regenmedia.co.uk/case-studies/
#PassiveHouse
"Ultimately voting systems should exist to reflect the will of the people. If they do not, is it rule of the people or rule by the system?"
Great letter in the Guardian by Hugo, a campaigner with Young Make Votes Matter 👏👏👏
Thanks to everyone who came to the London launch party for The Good Building Book. Really touched by the turnout on a wet evening. This time we had books which all sold! Great spending a couple of days with my fellow author Jon Broome and wemanaged to record a podcast with @benadamsmith.bsky.social
What is natural fibre insulation? And does sheep's wool really have a place in this category?
www.houseplanninghelp.com/397
#Insulation #EcoHome
There's always a lot of hand waving about insurance, so it's really refreshing to hear from an actual industry expert. Turns out the insurance industry will just tell you the big challenges and how they think about risk if you ask them!
Jon Broome and Nick Grant have their London book launch tomorrow. Good luck, gentlemen! And we'll be featuring an interview with them soon on the podcast.
The Good Building Book - www.bloomsbury.com/us/good-buil...
I'm catching up with Jon and Nick, authors of The Good Building Book this morning. Has anyone got any questions for them?
I've been wanting to do this one for a while. Sadly the word on the street is that it's getting harder to build with natural materials, but that's not just insurance. Building Control in some places is also getting trickier to sign-off.
Did you have any challenges insuring your home?
Gas prices up by around 50% today.
A painful reminder that relying on imported fossil fuels is a risky strategy.
When it comes to case studies my video work tends to be a bit seasonal. When the sun comes out people are more inclined to think about promoting their projects! Have you got a low energy project that you want to shout about this year? Maybe we can help you out.
www.regenmedia.co.uk/case-studies/
Do insurers like sustainable builds?! Nobody wants to get to the end of a project and then struggle to get their new home insured. So find out how the whole game works with Dr. James Glockling.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/395
#SelfBuild #Housing #NewHome
That is a classic. I love it!
And I agree 100% about adults, too! I like the old 'Tim Ferriss' check in points throughout the day. So you disable notifications and check in at structured points that you choose (example now at midday!). But I take your point about disabled, LGBT communities, etc.
I would definitely support this ban. Why not spend more time in the real world?! And well done to Australia for getting the ball rolling on this one and making us all think about the impacts of social media.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Absolutely fantastic. Well done. That's two pieces of good news today.
We should definitely enjoy a bit of good news!
Something for the weekend? Here's what's been happening on the podcast recently.
www.houseplanninghelp.com
#SelfBuild #EcoHomes #HealthyHome
I'm looking forward to catching up with Nick Grant and Jon Broome next week.
If you haven't heard, they've written a book together.
N.B. I'm pleased to report there have been no massive revelations in it so far! Just 'best practice' that they have been sharing over the years.
Michael, do you have any first hand experience of using this? I'm intrigued that there seems to be a bit more resistance to this than other natural fibres.
When I finally come to buy an electric car, on my brief will be 'not a Tesla'!
I take your point. I don't think I realised how much resistance there is to sheep's wool insulation.
A full house for the debate in Westminster Hall today on the Impact of the 2016 EU Membership Referendum on the UK, as a result of over 11,000 of you writing to your MP to urge them to attend. Stephen Gethins MP has started the debate with a strong opening speech.
No I haven't. Thanks. I'll keep an eye on that.
I would like to see the electoral system changed, too. I'm really worried that Reform will get in at the next election, because the rest of the votes will be sprinkled out between parties. If there were a proportional system I'd just vote for who I wanted.
Politics is in a real mess. Surely everyone should have the same amount of funds for their campaigns, etc?!
Oh, interesting. Is sheep's wool one you would avoid?
That is a really good question. I wish I'd thought of that. The only thing I can say is that these products have been around for 25 years. All the problems were in the early days. But I take your point.
Oh no. I did ask Mark about this. The borate fire retardant also acts as an insecticide... but once you've had a bad experience with wool you probably won't go back!
Do you reckon they didn't treat the carpet at all?
NEW PODCAST: How does sheep's wool insulation fit into the natural fibre mix? Mark Lynn from Thermafleece explains.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/397
#LoftInsulation #Housing #HealthyHomes
