House Planning Help Podcast

Having recorded an audio journal the whole way through his project, Ben Adam-Smith plays back some key moments so you can hear what is involved in a self build within a single podcast episode.

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Direct download: HPH235.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:11pm UTC

Having completed his house build this year, Ben Adam-Smith evaluates his own performance as a self-builder.

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Direct download: HPH234.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:54pm UTC

Self build consultant, Mike Hardwick, explains the pros and cons of different construction systems.

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Direct download: HPH233.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:47pm UTC

Ben Ribbans is a self-builder who decided to take on more and more responsibility during his project. He explains how he gained the confidence to do this, and why research and planning are vital to success.

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Direct download: HPH232.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:57pm UTC

Interior Designer Gabrielle Blackman explains how, when planned properly, good interior design should take the owner's personality and stamp it on the house.

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Direct download: HPH231.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:25am UTC

Martin Brown explains how this ancient material can be used in the modern world.

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Direct download: HPH230.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:55pm UTC

Straw Works co-founder Barbara Jones explains the different methods of building with straw.

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Direct download: HPH229.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00pm UTC

Having had his last site meeting, Ben Adam-Smith explains what they are and how they fit into the construction process when building a new house.

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Direct download: HPH228.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:30am UTC

Air leakage expert Paul Jennings looks at how best to achieve that all important airtightness when using particular construction methods.

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Direct download: HPH227.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:30pm UTC

With a matter of weeks until he moves into his new home, Ben Adam-Smith shares a list of ten things that he's excited about.

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Direct download: HPH226.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:08pm UTC

Architect Andrew Goodman explains what it took to create the UK's first load-bearing straw bale Passivhaus home.

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Direct download: HPH225.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:12pm UTC

Rob Wiggans explains how you can minimise risks when buying land for development.

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Direct download: HPH224.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am UTC

Dean Scott takes Ben on a tour of the Graven Hill development, and of his own energy-efficient self build.

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Direct download: HPH223.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am UTC

With the first phase well under way and residents already moving in, Karen Curtin, Managing Director of Graven Hill Village Development Company, talks through the process of finding and buying a plot at Graven Hill.

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Direct download: HPH222.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:18am UTC

As Ben Adam-Smith's build enters the final few weeks he reviews his project's schedule and sequencing. Although a lot of the detail pertains to building a masonry wall Passivhaus, it still serves as an example of the stages any house build might go through.

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Direct download: HPH221.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:22pm UTC

Mike Coe provides a progress update on his second self build project, with finances being stretched as construction is set to begin.

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Direct download: HPH220.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:04pm UTC

Ben Adam-Smith looks at why self build projects often eat into the budget set aside for landscaping. This includes Ben's new home where initial garden plans have been put on hold!

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Direct download: HPH219.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:48am UTC

Alex Baines explains the impact a mid-construction delay has had on him, his family, and his Long Barrow Passivhaus project.

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Direct download: HPH218.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:59pm UTC

Ben Adam-Smith chats to his wife Kay about what it's been like building a house. She never wanted a new build, preferring to buy a period property instead. So why did she agree to do this? And what can we learn about trying to get a partner on board with a self build?

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Direct download: HPH217.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:17am UTC

With decades growing his knowledge of self-building, Mark Brinkley shares some of the surprises, challenges and joys involved.

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Direct download: HPH216.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am UTC

Ben Adam-Smith reflects on what he's learned so far during the construction phase of his self build.

The project is halfway through and the finished house will meet the Passivhaus standard.

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Direct download: HPH215.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:31pm UTC

Rob Wiggans shares his expert tips on how to find a plot of land for a self build project.

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Direct download: HPH214.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:31pm UTC

Steven Thompson, from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, explains why it can be sensible to have a contract, and what type you might need for a self build project.

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Direct download: HPH213.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am UTC

John Fenwick discusses the challenges of building his award-winning Passivhaus with an atypical form.

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Direct download: HPH212.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am UTC

Mark Feldman of MARS Building Ltd offers an insight into how he prices up potential new jobs (including when he's invited into a tender process).

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Direct download: HPH211.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:40pm UTC

Liz and Mike Hill explain the decisions behind the design of their contemporary eco home.

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Direct download: HPH210.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:24am UTC

Marlen and Tony Godwin explain why it was important for their modern, minimalist Passivhaus home and office designs to be sympathetic to the neighbourhood.

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Direct download: HPH209.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:43pm UTC

Ben Adam-Smith looks at some of the reasons why his tender returns might have been so high. He then sits down with his wife Kay to consider possible savings.

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Direct download: HPH208.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:06pm UTC

Chris Parsons from Parsons+ Whittley outlines a traditional procurement route. And Ben and Kay Adam-Smith receive their tender returns.

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Direct download: HPH207.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:36pm UTC

Robert Flynn from Solarbarn explains how to choose a solar array to suit your needs.

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Direct download: HPH206.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00pm UTC

Architectural technologist Dan Higginbotham from Parsons + Whittley Architects talks about producing construction drawings and a scheme of works from an architect’s design.

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Direct download: HPH205.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:04pm UTC

Five self-builders explain how they came to build their houses on the edge of a developer estate.

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Direct download: HPH204.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:36am UTC

Author and self-builder Will Anderson talks about realising his self-build dream not once but twice!

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Direct download: HPH203.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:39am UTC

Building Services Engineer Alan Clarke explains how he has designed and specified the ventilation, heating, and hot and cold water systems for Ben's new house.

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Direct download: HPH202.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:36am UTC

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