Get It Right with Undercover Architect

What style is my house? And my preferred taste? Do you find yourself asking this question when renovating or building? Everyone wants to know “What style is my house?” But naming your style can be dangerous and limiting. SHOW NOTES: One of the things I see that’s really prevalent in the world of reality TV and online building and renovating is this desire to name the style you’re seeking for your project (and future home). It’s a common question others will ask you too. “What style are you doing? … Hamptons is SO popular right now!” With names like Scandi, Plantation, Industrial, French Provincial, Coastal, there’s a huge range of descriptions for an apparent choice of style, look, finishes, colours and fabrics. And you’ll see many online renovators and builders teach you to ‘pull together your vision’ … or create your vision board or scrapbook to show others the look you want for your home. They recommend it as a great way to get clear on what you want, and also explain it to others. Whilst I do believe that images are a brilliant way to explain your preferences to those on your team, I have this warning … The names of these styles all have origins in specific times, cultures and locations. And they were created for specific reasons. Sometimes it was related to climate, material availability, building technology and trade skills. Sometimes it was the next-stage development of an existing style. Sometimes it was a complete rejection of the status quo or traditional way of doing things. Sometimes it was socio-economic. When you look back through architectural, design and art history, the style names we’re grabbing and applying to how we want our home to ‘look’, are usually based in meaningful history and motivations at the time. When you seek to name the style of your future home, without truly understanding the historical origins of that style or its specific characteristics, this can be confusing for your project and design team. And you can seriously limit your project as others interpret what you want and don’t want. And if you’re basing your choice of style on a series of images you’ve grabbed from a range of houses that actually aren’t that style at all … well, the confusion continues. Styles aren’t simply names of detailing, fabric and colour choices. I know homeowners feel it works for them to name their style, but what worries me is that it can (because I’ve seen it happen) create inauthentic designs that are a veneer over terrible planning and functionality. It’s also worth understanding that a style name and a vision board is not a brief. A brief is the main communication tool you need for your project - whoever you’re working with, and wherever you’re building or renovating. And some of the best briefs I’ve received don’t ever mention a style. They describe a feeling. Appropriating cultures and styles from elsewhere that don’t have suitability for your local area can cause issues with the performance of your home, and also making it difficult to get planning approval from your local council. More importantly, it means you can miss an incredible opportunity to express YOUR style. A style that is specific to its time, location and climate … and suits you and your family authentically. In this episode, I talk about what are the problems with naming your style, and how to instead think about your wishes for your home so they can actually be delivered by your team. If you want a home that is functional, and feels complete, authentic and whole, then listen to the episode now. This episode is brought to you by my online course “Manage Your Build”. Are you planning to build your new home or renovation? Do you fear it will be a stress-filled ride of budget blowouts, compromises and dramas? MANAGE YOUR BUILD provides you with industry-insider knowledge, checklists and strategies to save you time, money and your own sanity when building your new home or renovation. A collaboration between Amelia Lee, Undercover Architect, and Duayne Pearce, of D Pearce Constructions, Manage Your Build shares know-how, expertise and experience from over 45 years in residential design, building and renovation. This online course will prepare you for your construction phase so you can know you're actually getting what you're paying for, and avoid the heartache and drama of a horror build. It gives you the clarity, confidence and information you need to start your project on the right foot - and navigate throughout each stage of construction. Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to learn more and join us.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SEASON 9 - KEEPING IT REAL EPISODE 03 - Anyone can renovate or build their home (apparently) They say anyone can build or renovate their home - can’t they? Then why does it go SO wrong for so many. Well-meaning reality TV renovating and building mentors and online experts will tell you “Anyone can do this”. “We didn’t know what we were doing either when we started. Look at us now! You don’t need to be a professional. We’re just mums / people like you. And we figured it out.” And this can be really misleading for homeowners taking on the design, renovation or new build of their own family home. SHOW NOTES: Scratch below the surface of these reality TV and online experts and you’ll find a tribe of professionals and consultants who support and guide them on their projects. Who help ensure they meet council requirements, pass building inspections, that their design actually works, and that their project will be durable, legal and livable. You’ll also find financial safety nets, and the ability to dedicate time, focus and energy into their projects that the average homeowner simply doesn’t have available. There’s a big difference between industry experts and industry professionals. Liability, learning, support networks and access to knowledge. Expectations as well. As a homeowner, you’ll be renovating or building your family home and wanting to get it right the first time. You don’t have the luxury, room or time to ‘learn on the job’. Or another job, another project, someone else’s house, to get it right on. When you don’t know what you don’t know, you can find you waste time and money on the gaps in your knowledge. And when industry experts online and on TV don’t know what they don’t know (because they’ve learnt on their own projects, trial by error and done a handful only), big mistakes can get made as well. Now - please understand - I’m very aware that being an industry professional does not make you immune to human error and unexpected challenges. However, being an industry professional does mean you have a network and context to draw on in order to manage and mitigate risk - rather than the newbie approach of winging it. Renovating and building isn’t easy. Anyone can do it, but only with the right support. It definitely can be simplified. And when you get it right - it is SO WORTH THE EFFORT. Learn how to really protect yourself in your project, and support yourself so you get it right the first time. Listen to the episode now. This episode is brought to you by my online course “Manage Your Build”. Are you planning to build your new home or renovation? Do you fear it will be a stress-filled ride of budget blowouts, compromises and dramas? MANAGE YOUR BUILD provides you with industry-insider knowledge, checklists and strategies to save you time, money and your own sanity when building your new home or renovation. A collaboration between Amelia Lee, Undercover Architect, and Duayne Pearce, of D Pearce Constructions, Manage Your Build shares know-how, expertise and experience from over 45 years in residential design, building and renovation. This online course will prepare you for your construction phase so you can know you're actually getting what you're paying for, and avoid the heartache and drama of a horror build. It gives you the clarity, confidence and information you need to start your project on the right foot - and navigate throughout each stage of construction. Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to learn more and join us. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST, CLICK HERE.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nervous about building or renovating? Want to manage your project well? You may be surprised to hear many say it’s like having children. This is why. A mum posted this in a Renovating Facebook group … Today I realised how much doing a renovation is like having children. It takes way more time and commitment than you ever thought it would. You receive constant conflicting advice and everyone thinks they know best. You’re woken in the night with the sudden thought that you’ve chosen completely the wrong tile and your bathroom will be disaster. You leave for work with knots of anxiety wondering if you’ve left your home in the care of the right builders. Now I realise why I’m feeling so bloody stressed! … I knew she’d nailed it. SHOW NOTES: In this episode, I talk about the unexpected blindside in renovating and building: the emotional piece. Many expect that it’ll be a stressful process due to it being outside the normal comfort zone. However, very few anticipate what it’s like to: Be so emotionally invested in the outcome Manage decision overwhelm Deal with difficult conversations, conflict and confrontations Require long-term stamina Stay true to what is important and valuable to you With over 20 years of doing working in this industry, I see homeowners deal with stress and the unknowns. Your home (and the new build or renovation of it) is not only one of your biggest assets and investments … but most underestimate the emotional piece. There’s an unexpected attachment we have to “home”, the identity and status, future hopes and dreams for our life and family. And the sense of accomplishment and achievement our homes represent. It’s a HUGE amount of pressure to get it right ... with little or no prior experience and a huge leap of faith. And loads of well-meaning but often totally misguided advice about what you “must” have or do to make your home (and you) complete. My recommendation? Take care of yourself, and keep asking questions. I find when women ask lots of questions, they start to feel more informed and empowered as a result. And they let their team know they’re invested and keen to be involved and get a great result. In this episode, I dive into these issues in more detail, and provide tips and strategies for you to manage yourself, and your project, well. Join me, as I share with you the way to keep it real, and create a you-worthy home. Listen to the episode now. This episode is brought to you by my online course “Manage Your Build”. Are you planning to build your new home or renovation? Do you fear it will be a stress-filled ride of budget blow-outs, compromises and dramas? MANAGE YOUR BUILD provides you with industry-insider knowledge, checklists and strategies to save you time, money and your own sanity when building your new home or renovation. A collaboration between Amelia Lee, Undercover Architect, and Duayne Pearce, of D Pearce Constructions, Manage Your Build shares know-how, expertise and experience from over 45 years in residential design, building and renovation. This online course will prepare you for your construction phase so you can know you're actually getting what you're paying for, and avoid the heartache and drama of a horror build. It gives you the clarity, confidence and information you need to start your project on the right foot - and navigate throughout each stage of construction. Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to learn more and join us. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning a renovation or new home and inspired by reality TV, YouTube and social media? You may already be aware that real life renovating and building is not the same as reality TV. But how different is it? And are you REALLY aware of how damaging and misleading it can be to your journey? I’m nervous about this season of episodes … but I feel this conversation is important and timely. And I feel that there’s an alternative way to creating a great home that feels great, when we choose to KEEP IT REAL. SHOW NOTES: In this season of the podcast, I share openly and frankly what I’m seeing happen to homeowners who embark on their renovation and new home projects. And why reality TV, Youtube and social media ‘inspiration’ can be damaging and misleading in so many ways. In this episode, I talk about ... Why I’m nervous about being so frank and open with you about reality TV and real life renovating and building Why I feel this conversation is so important at this time What I’m seeing happen for homeowners who are misled and miseducated by industry experts What blindsides homeowners time and time again - and causes huge stress and anguish What is actually tied up in creating our home (and that we don’t anticipate) Why a magazine-worthy home can be a damaging goal for many Some personal stories of what home can really mean as a place of connection and memory-making How great design isn’t about glamour or stylishness And what I know endures beyond the success metrics we create for our homes and ourselves In the 20 plus years I’ve been helping homeowners design, build and renovate their family homes, (and the projects of my own I’ve also done), I’ve had a front-row seat to what real life renovating and building is like. And I’ve also seen how keeping it real is the best way you can prepare yourself for your project … and stay true and authentic to what will ultimately best suit you and your family, and serve you over the long term. Join me, as I share with you the way to keep it real, and create a you-worthy home. Listen to the episode now. This episode is brought to you by my online course “Manage Your Build”. Are you planning to build your new home or renovation? Do you fear it will be a stress-filled ride of budget blow-outs, compromises and dramas? MANAGE YOUR BUILD provides you with industry-insider knowledge, checklists and strategies to save you time, money and your own sanity when building your new home or renovation. A collaboration between Amelia Lee, Undercover Architect, and Duayne Pearce, of D Pearce Constructions, Manage Your Build shares know-how, expertise and experience from over 45 years in residential design, building and renovation. This online course will prepare you for your construction phase so you can know you're actually getting what you're paying for, and avoid the heartache and drama of a horror build. It gives you the clarity, confidence and information you need to start your project on the right foot - and navigate throughout each stage of construction. Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to learn more and join us. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to build a sustainable forever home? Frances Cosway of White Pebble Interiors tells us about her family home. The White Pebble Home is a stunning example of a family home that is designed to be sustainable, flexible and adaptable. And it has a natural pool to die for! SHOW NOTES: Meet Frances Cosway from White Pebble Interiors Frances is an interior designer, published author and speaker with a passion for creating beautiful homes people love to live in. With over 15 years’ experience in renovating and building, her true passion lies with helping clients design and build their ‘Forever Homes’. Having lived in Europe for 12 years, she draws on her own unique influences whilst seamlessly incorporating the individual styles of her clients when developing projects. Her philosophy on design is that your home is a story of you; how you live, your lifestyle and your life journey. She’s committed to ensuring every home she works on is a true reflection of its owners, based on these principles. Frances established White Pebble Interiors in 2010, after leaving the corporate world. White Pebble Interiors is an interior design studio that specialises in creating bespoke Forever Homes. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, they pride ourselves on recommending sustainable principles and using sustainable materials wherever they can. They are open and honest and break with convention to ensure designs are not just ‘good enough’ but reflect what their clients really want them to be, based on how they live their life. Frances wrote the book ‘Your Forever Home’ in 2017 as a practical guide for people about to embark on building or renovating. She has completed many of her own new build and subdivision projects including the build of her family’s own ‘Forever Home’ in 2014. The house has featured in several publications including House & Garden and The Herald Sun and has been profiled internationally on Houzz. It won Winner of Bayside’s Best Ecological & Sustainable Build Award in 2015. And in this episode, we’ll be talking about this very home. In this episode, I ask Frances … So, tell us a bit about who is in your family and who the home is built for? And the home’s size and location? When you guys decided to build a new home, how did that make you feel as an Interior Designer? Did you have specific goals around designing and building sustainably? Or did it all happen more organically than that? Did you feel you were going to have to budget extra for a sustainable home? Or make any compromises? How did you go about designing for sustainability? What specific sustainability measures did you incorporate? You did a blog about opening it up for Sustainable House Open Day, and how interested people were in the timber tiles. Can you tell us more about them, and the other finishes you chose for the home? The pool … tell us all about the pool … your own billabong! Is there anything you’d do differently, or wish you had included? I’m really excited to share this home, and Frances, with you. I think you’re going to really enjoy hearing their journey to a sustainable home, and take away some great ideas and tips for your own project. Listen to the episode now. This episode is brought to you by my online course “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home”. This is a superfast course that will help you get ready for your renovation or building project in the best way possible. In it, I share my step-by-step system to help you save time, money and stress in your project, so you can know what you need to know and create the perfect home for you - simply and with confidence … avoiding the dramas and heartaches. You can join now, get access to a fantastic Facebook community, Live Q & A sessions with me, and all the tools and resources you need to achieve success in your project. Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/howtogetitright to learn more and join us. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you renovate a home as a Passive House (or Passivehaus)? Especially when that home is an early 1900s weatherboard cottage? In this episode, I’m going to be sharing the experience of a homeowner who renovated their early 1900s weatherboard home into a Passive House. They’ve lived in it now for 3 years, and it’s located in inner Melbourne, about 10km from the CBD. This project is a great opportunity to see how an old weatherboard home can be renovated into a Passive Home that is comfortable and saves thousands in running costs each year. Cameron’s family home is known as Armadale Passivhaus. They open this home for Sustainable House Open Day each year, and Cameron also has a great website on all the nitty gritty details of the home and project (see the resources below for more information). Circa 1910, this weatherboard home faces north-to-street. So, if you’ve listened to this podcast for a while, and heard the episodes I did back in Season 1 about orientation, you’ll know that north-to-street is a challenging orientation in the southern hemisphere. This is because we like to put all our main living areas at the rear of the home, with indoor / outdoor connection to perhaps a deck or alfresco area … and lots of glazing to connect the two. And if the home is north-to-street, it means that the sun is moving around the front of the home, and not the rear. This means, especially in a location like Melbourne, that the rear of your home can be cold, in shadow, and not getting the natural light you want into your main living areas. The home also has a heritage overlay, which meant that extensive alteration to the facade wasn’t allowed, and there were two brick chimneys that had to be kept. Lots of homeowners would say at this point - “Forget Passivhaus … we’re putting this entire renovation in the too-hard basket!” The Armadale House sits on a 430m2 block in inner Melbourne, Australia, and is located about 10 km from the CBD. Cameron and his family had lived in two weatherboards home prior, and so their experience was always that leaky sieve experience you may be familiar with if you’ve ever lived in a weatherboard house. You can feel every breeze move through them. They’re hot in summer, cold in winter, and terrible performers thermally. When they moved into the Armadale house, it was the same experience. They could see the sky, sunlight coming in below the door, and the windows would rattle with the slightest breeze. The chimneys meant they could see the sky, and rain would come down them whenever it rained. It’s inspiring to see how this home was renovated 3 years ago, and how this family stayed committed to their desire to create a comfortable, sustainable home. There’s a huge amount of knowledge to gain from this project, and seeing how you can renovate your own Passive House. As I explain in the podcast, the audio recording of my interview with Cameron did not go to plan! So, listen to the episode as I share the highlights from my conversation with Cameron. And then keep scrolling to read the full transcript of our interview. Both will share key tips, strategies and knowledge to help you with your own project. LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW In this episode, I ask Cameron ... Can you please tell us about your home, the Armadale Passive House ... who lives there, rough area of it, the block of land it’s situated on, how long have you lived there? It's a weatherboard house and those are notoriously challenging in terms of keeping internal air temperatures stable and being energy efficient homes. What prompted you to create a Passive House in your renovation? What makes it a Passive House? How does it work, what is special about it, what differentiates it from a more traditional house Do you remember at the time if you were worried it would limit you in anyway or any compromises you’d have to make? Where do you see the big differences in living in a home like this (feelings, and tangible cost savings etc)? Your extension is in rammed earth - can you tell us about choosing this material and why you did because it's such a contrast to the weatherboard Can you talk about your window selection, because in Australia, I know we LOVE our windows for all that indoor / outdoor connection! What specific advice would you give to those who are renovating and want to create a Passive House? This episode is brought to you by my online course “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home”. This is a superfast course that will help you get ready for your renovation or building project in the best way possible. In it, I share my step-by-step system to help you save time, money and stress in your project, so you can know what you need to know and create the perfect home for you - simply and with confidence … avoiding the dramas and heartaches. You can join now, get access to a fantastic Facebook communi

Is Passive House necessary in Australia? This is a question many ask, because they believe our climate is too mild to necessitate the Passive House approach. Yet, Clare Parry disagrees. She is a Director and Principal at Grun Consulting, and is a Certified Passive House Certifier and Trainer. Clare was also one of the founding members of the Australian Passive House Association. Its vision is to lead change by educating, promoting, and supporting the delivery of Certified Passive House buildings in Australia. Clare is the Certifier for the Owl Woods Passive House project - so it’ll be her job to provide the tick of approval that everyone else has done their jobs, and the home can actually be certified as a Passive House. Clare however, fulfills many roles when it comes to sustainable design in Australia, and whenever I researched or talked about Passive House - it was Clare Parry’s name that came up. I’m really excited you’re going to meet her through this episode, and hear about her experience with Passive House, and really helping it get traction in Australia. SHOW NOTES: Meet Clare Parry from Grun Consulting. Clare has had a lifelong interest in best practice building design, involving a holistic approach to achieve sustainable measures and provide a better option in the longer term, both for the client & the environment. Her focus is on building performance, and she works extensively with the Passivhaus standard. Her work as a sustainability consultant and mechanical engineer has involved experience as a Certified Passivhaus Designer, Trainer and Building Certifier, LEED AP, Green Star AP, WELL AP, NABERS and CBD Assessor. In 2011 Clare founded the Australian Passive House Association and has been involved as a Director until late 2017. She is one of the first Certified Passivhaus Designers in Australia, and one of only two Passivhaus Certifiers. She is a certified Passivhaus trainer as well and you can often see her speak at national and international conferences. Clare is a Director and Principal at Grün Consulting. Grün specialises in delivering high performance buildings. They deliver all aspects of Environmentally Sustainable Design consulting, specialising in Passive House (Passivhaus) from design through to certification. They are advocates for Passivhaus, for Net Zero, and experts in town planning, multiple rating tools including LEED, Green Star and the Living Building Challenge, and energy ratings including Carbon Neutral, NABERS & CBD. In this episode, I ask Clare ... What made you become interested in Passive House? You've worked for some time  (and continue to work) as a sustainability consultant in a range of accreditation systems like LEED, Greenstar, WELL, etc. How does Passive House sit in relation to this? You founded the Australian Passive House Association (APHA) in 2011. What compelled you to do that? What's the APHA's role? You are performing the role of Building Certifier on the Owl Woods Passive House project. Can you describe what's involved in that? I read an article of yours on Linkedin ... where you spoke about industry talking about the difficulty of getting the consumer engaged in the idea of sustainability. You said "The issue is not actually about engagement. That implies that people are choosing alternatives when the options are on the table, but the truth is they really have no idea what’s possible." And then you spoke about our responsibility to educate - which is what Undercover Architect is all about. How would you like to see homeowners going about really moving the needle on Passive House and its adoption in Australia? What would you tell them to do to feel more confident to pursue this for their projects when opposition might be budget, or it being too hard, etc? As Clare mentioned, the Australian Passive House Association is an incredibly useful resource for you if you’re wanting to embark on the Passive House journey, so check out the show notes for a link to find them. A word of warning though … I’m finding that the more people I speak to about Passive House, I find they started their journey with an interest, and go so passionate about it, they’ve gone onto be certified! Not only professionals but homeowners as well!\ Who knows what learning and opportunity the Passive House journey might open for you hey? Listen to the episode now. This episode is brought to you by my online course “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home”. This is a superfast course that will help you get ready for your renovation or building project in the best way possible. In it, I share my step-by-step system to help you save time, money and stress in your project, so you can know what you need to know and create the perfect home for you - simply and with confidence … avoiding the dramas and heartaches. You can join now, get access to a fantastic Facebook community, Live Q & A sessio

How do you build a Passive House? The construction of a Passive House requires specific processes and knowledge. Learn what it takes to build the Owl Woods Passive House Project in my interview with Stuart Lee. SHOW NOTES: In this episode, we meet Stuart Lee of Craftsmen Quality Builders. Stuart is the builder for the Owl Woods Passive House, and if you listened to my interview with David Rhind, the client and owner, you may recall that it was when they met Stuart, that they got interested in making this home a Passive House, and dived into this whole process. Stuart is a fantastic advocate for the building industry, as he really demonstrates what quality building, client collaboration and teamwork looks like. Even if you don’t want to build or renovate a Passive House, I really encourage you to listen to this episode and learn what to look for when choosing your own builder. Stuart provides some great advice to support you in your selection. Introducing Stuart Lee, Craftsmen Quality Builders Stuart is a builder and Qualified Carpenter, and he’s also a Certified PassivHaus Tradesman and Accredited Green Living Builder. Stuart has worked in the building industry for over 15 years and is very passionate about building energy efficient and PassivHaus homes. He feels the best way he can support the environment is to build homes that hug the land rather than sit on it. When Stuart learned of the passivhaus standard - and he talks about this in our interview - he felt compelled to focus his business on implementing the key principles it uses. Stuart and the Craftsmen Quality Builders team love what they do, which in turn infuses the structure with love and laughter. Stuart believe this makes their homes feel very special. In this episode, Stuart tells us what is involved in the construction of a Certified Passive House home. These are the questions Stuart and I discuss in this episode ... Why do you believe homeowners should build a passive house (you have a great rundown on this on your website)? What made you commit to being certified as a Passive House Tradesperson? When we look at home construction, how does a Passive House differ to mainstream home construction ... what are you doing differently and how much harder is it? Tell us about your involvement in the Owl Woods Passive House - because I understand you were the one initially that proposed making it a passive house? Is building a Passive House more expensive? How do you suggest homeowners on a budget build a Passive House? It appears to me that a Passive House actually demands a really high level of attention, detail, care and quality from the builder ... and because it needs to be certified at completion to a performance level (with the blower test etc), this is a really good way of getting certainty, as a homeowner, that your home is getting built the way it should. That you’re getting what you’re paying for. Do you see homeowners feeling this way? How do you generally suggest people work well with their builder to get a good result? And do you have key tips for homeowners planning to build a Passive House? How should they start? What should they ask builders they’re speaking to? Even if you are not building a Passive House, I really recommend listening to this episode, as Stuart helps demonstrate the standard to strive for in your renovation or building project. There’s an energy that comes from a great team working well together in a quality, focussed and committed way, that can bring total joy to your life and home in the long term. I think you’ll really hear that in Stuart’s own passion for what he does, and hopefully it inspires you to keep looking until you find a team to support you in the same way for your home. Listen to the episode now. This episode is brought to you by my online course “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home”. This is a superfast course that will help you get ready for your renovation or building project in the best way possible. In it, I share my step-by-step system to help you save time, money and stress in your project, so you can know what you need to know and create the perfect home for you - simply and with confidence … avoiding the dramas and heartaches. You can join now, get access to a fantastic Facebook community, Live Q & A sessions with me, and all the tools and resources you need to achieve success in your project. Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/howtogetitright to learn more and join us. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So you want to build or renovate a Passive House? Your specialist team may need to include a Certified Passive House Consultant to help test and measure your Passive House design. Let me introduce to you Luc Plowman, of Detail Green. Luc is a Passive House Certified Consultant and Certifier. In fact, he’s only one of 2 Passive House certified building certifiers in the country, and there’s only about 50 world-wide. Luc was brought in on the Owl Woods Passive House project as Talina wasn’t certified yet. He assisted with reviewing and auditing the design, running it through the Passive House modelling tool, and providing feedback and advice on what needed to be included and amended in order for the home to reach required benchmarks. SHOW NOTES: Meet Luc Plowman, from Detail Green. Detail Green has a wealth of building design, engineering, construction and sustainability performance experience.  This includes both local and international projects in residential, commercial, industrial and educational buildings across multiple green building standards.   Luc is a Sustainability Engineer. With 15 years experience he has been involved in a wide range of green building and sustainability projects across Australia. He’s a director of Detail Green based in Beechworth, Victoria.   With a background in the commercial building industry and a range of Green Building qualifications Luc provides specialist ESD input to all areas of the built environment.    Luc is both a Certified Passive House Consultant & Building Certifier and one of Australia’s most experienced Passive House professionals. In this episode, I ask Luc ... How do you describe what Passive House is? What is your role on the Owl Woods Passive House Project? Is this how you’re normally involved in projects? You’re a Certified Passive House Consultant ... what does that mean? How did you get involved in this type of work - what is your professional background? what made you choose to become a Certified Consultant? Is a Passive House not really a Passive House if a Certified Passive House Consultant is not involved? As a Certified Consultant, do you find that homeowners come find you because they really want to do this type of home and they’ve first done a lot of investigation and research themselves? Or do you find that there’s an interest, and then still lots of education to do on your part? What misconceptions do you see about Passive House? I know homeowners will say to me “oh my climate is quite mild, I don’t need to be this extreme about my home” ... what would you say to them? Is there anywhere that Passive House is ‘over the top’ as an approach? What key tips do you have for homeowners considering this as an approach for their renovation or new build? Passive House can seem initially like a complex process of data and analysis. However, Luc shows us its fundamental aspects and the opportunity this methodology has to help us predict the performance of our homes - before we build them. Listen to the episode now. This episode is brought to you by my online course “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home”. This is a superfast course that will help you get ready for your renovation or building project in the best way possible. In it, I share my step-by-step system to help you save time, money and stress in your project, so you can know what you need to know and create the perfect home for you - simply and with confidence … avoiding the dramas and heartaches. You can join now, get access to a fantastic Facebook community, Live Q & A sessions with me, and all the tools and resources you need to achieve success in your project. Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/howtogetitright to learn more and join us. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talina Edwards, of Talina Edwards Architecture, is the architect on the Owl Woods Passive House project. This project didn’t start out as a Passive House, and Talina didn’t start the project as a Passive House Certified Designer … but that’s what she is now, and that’s what the house is now. I think you’ll learn a lot from hearing how Talina talks about the process of working with a client, understanding their wants, needs and aspirations for their home and her responsibility in bringing that to life … and how she’s worked collaboratively with the client and other team members to deliver this family their forever home. SHOW NOTES: Let me introduce Talina Edwards to you, and Talina Edwards Architecture. Talina Edwards Architecture: elemental design studio is passionate about creating healthy, beautiful, functional, comfortable and sustainable architecture. The practice has a passion for design that improves people’s lives – for residential, community and commercial clients. Talina strongly believes that high quality design of our built environment has many positive impacts for people and the planet. Talina established her Architectural Studio in 2013 after more than a decade of working as a registered architect with Melbourne practices who excelled in sustainable architecture. Talina recently became qualified as a ‘Certified Passive House Designer’, which is an international standard to deliver the healthiest, highest-performing and lowest-energy buildings in the world. The standard is heavily based in building-physics for proven performance. Talina embraces this scientific, rational and practical side of architecture, as well as the more creative and intuitive approach to design. She employs a holistic and collaborative approach that is responsive to the whole picture, whilst including careful consideration of all the small, important details. She is very interested in how the principles of biophilic design can be applied to architectural projects to improve our wellbeing by connecting to nature. Talina recently attended the ‘Living Future Institute’ 2018 symposium and is committed to this ideology, which aims to redirect our future towards a society that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative.Talina is hugely engaged in her local community, in the architectural community and the sustainable design community as well. She is an active member of several industry organisations, and a huge advocate for her local professional community. Talina loves sharing her love of all things elemental design (green buildings, sustainable architecture, healthy homes and natural living) by writing articles, exhibiting at Smart Living and Building expos, and giving presentations to her community.On the weekends, she loves spending time amongst nature with her partner, children and playful puppy – as Talina knows this is the best way to slow down and re-connect and maintain a sense of wellbeing. In this episode, I ask Talina ... How do you describe Passive House to people who ask? Tell me about what happened when the clients, David and Yvonne, first approached you for this new home ... discussing sustainability measures, design etc ... how did that go? One of the things that’s been interesting about Owl Woods Passive House is that it didn’t start its journey as a Passive House did it? Can you explain more about that? When did Passive House start becoming part of the conversation? Who drove that? What was your aim for the design initially, as the clients briefed you on what they wanted, etc ... and then as it became a Passive House? Talking through the ideas, the pavilion style, designing a home for people who will have older children who'll leave and come back, etc. Since starting this project, you’ve achieved your Passive House design certification - why? David spoke about how they went about the process of finding you, and then have really sought to trust you, and seek your support as they move through the project. It appears you've created a really trusting relationship, and a collaborative one. How do you think that has happened? As an architect, who has come from a sustainable design point of view, to now move into this area, what have been your key learnings about what’s needed to get this right? Do you think you need to be a specific type of architect to tackle this area of design? It seems very technical to an outsider. Have you found any of this limiting for your creativity? I had a client joke with me that seeing homes we’ve designed get finished must be like seeing our children grow up and leave home ... what are you most looking forward to in seeing this home finished? If you’re wondering what it’s like to design a Passive House, or work collaboratively with an architect for your new build or renovation, this episode provides great insight, tips and strategies

What happens when you decide you want to build your forever family home as a Passive House? This is the story of a homeowner who did just that. I’m really excited to be introducing you to the Owl Woods Passive House Project. SHOW NOTES: The Owl Woods Passive House is a new home being built Victoria. Its design meets the Passive House requirements and will be certified as a Passive House when complete. This home is David and Yvonne’s forever home, and we’re going to hear from David about what their journey has been like as the clients in this project - and the future owners of this home. At the time of recording this, the project was nearing completion, and due to be finished right about now actually!   We’re going to be meeting the whole team over the upcoming episodes, and you’ll get a great insight into this project from various viewpoints. In this episode, David Rhind, the client, tells us what it’s been like to be the client in this project. Everything from how they went about finding their block of land, choosing Talina Edwards as their architect, and then working together on the design. David will share what motivated them to pursue sustainable design in the first place … and then to commit to the Passive House methodology. And you’ll hear some fantastic tips and insights along the way that I know will really help you with planning your own project. Whilst it was under construction, it was included in 2018’s Sustainable Open House Day. As you can imagine, it was a popular site, because many visitors were really keen to see the details of a Passive House whilst it was being built. From the Sustainable House Open Day website …. “After many renovations we’d always wanted to build a house from scratch. High on our priority list was sustainability, for a variety of reasons, but were not quite sure what that could/should entail! Key to us was engaging local firms and, during this search, the idea of a house with good solar orientation was suggested and this soon developed into a full blown Passive House (still with the solar orientation, but now with awesome thermal properties and air tightness) was suggested and it quickly took hold as the ideal way to build our new house – given the climate, rising energy costs and achieving ‘comfortable’ living. When we’ve been living in the house for a year we’ll be able to gauge the impact on running costs, but we’re expecting to be pleasantly surprised.” In this episode, I ask David ... Who this home is designed for The site the home on is being built on ... when did you buy it, what’s it like, did you choose it with specific criteria? When you thought about building a new house, what were your key goals ... what did you want to achieve? What led you to thinking about building a Passive House? How did you start the process ... choosing the right team, getting the knowledge you needed etc Have you found you’ve had to upskill yourself in any way? Terminology, the science of it all, etc? Was there anything you were specifically nervous about in doing this? What are you most looking forward to about living in a Passive House? Do you think it’s forced any compromises for you? (Often homeowners think a Passive House will mean they have to have the home look a certain way, or they can’t open windows, or they’ll just have to deal with being cold or hot at certain times of the year, or they can’t choose the material they like aesthetically because it doesn’t meet requirements). What do you think have been some of your key learnings along the way? Any specific challenges, or wins, or things you wish you’d known before you started … What key tips would you have for homeowners considering building or renovating their home as a Passive House? This episode is a great insight into a homeowner’s personal journey of embarking on their new home project - and how they are bringing their forever home dreams to life. Listen to the episode now. This episode is brought to you by my online course “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home”. This is a superfast course that will help you get ready for your renovation or building project in the best way possible. In it, I share my step-by-step system to help you save time, money and stress in your project, so you can know what you need to know and create the perfect home for you - simply and with confidence … avoiding the dramas and heartaches. You can join now, get access to a fantastic Facebook community, Live Q & A sessions with me, and all the tools and resources you need to achieve success in your project. Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/howtogetitright to learn more and join us. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is Passive House? Or Passivhaus (as the Germans say!) Passive House offers an opportunity to create a home that is comfortable, improves your health and well-being, and lowers the energy use of your home. This episode is an introduction to what Passive House is. As a building system, it involves a range of measures to have your home performing the way it needs to, to be deemed a Passive House. SHOW NOTES: What’s Passive House? Well, you may be familiar with it when it’s spelt the German way - Passivehaus. Let me say upfront … Passive House is not to be confused with Passive Design or Passive solar design. Passive House is a specific way of designing and building a new or renovated home so it meets certain requirements that lower its energy use and improves the health and wellbeing for its occupants. It creates energy efficient homes. It gives a system to design, test and audit the home’s performance overall. And I actually think it’s going to get some serious traction in Australia as the best way to build or renovate your home. Overseas, particularly in Europe, it’s popular for its ability to create energy efficient, comfortable homes that don’t need significant heating and cooling, even in extreme climates (picture snow up to the gutters!) Here, even though in some areas of Australia - and in the USA for my American listeners - our climates may seem too mild for many to be concerned. However, Passive House offers a huge opportunity to really understand and know before you commit to construction, how your home will feel to live in, and what it will cost to run. And that is what seriously excites me for you as the homeowner, building or renovating your family home. Imagine being able to predict exactly how your house will perform, how comfortable it will be and what it will cost to heat and cool - BEFORE you build it. And then, having a system and auditing process in place so it gets tested during and after construction, and a certificate provided to show it actually performs as promised. That’s what Passive House enables you to do. In this episode, I’m talking with Daniel Kress, a certified Passive House trainer and consultant. In this episode, Daniel and I talk about: What is meant by the term “Passive House” (and do we call it Passive House or Passive Haus or Passivehaus!?) How and why did you get so interested in it and choose to pursue not only building and designing this way, but also becoming a trainer in the certification courses? What are the benefits of creating a Passive House? What are the key components of achieving or creating a Passive House? How do you create one? What do you see people get wrong in what they understand about Passive House? Is it possible to renovate and create a Passive House? Or is this only achievable when building new? Is building a Passive Home more expensive? The certification education you do ... why is it necessary for a homeowner to use a certified Passive House Consultant. What difference does this make? And is the house only a Passive House if it’s designed and/or certified by a Certified Consultant? Listen to the episode now. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I’m going to be sharing with you how to really get yourself ready for your renovation or building project if that’s on the cards for you in 2019. NOW is the time to prepare properly, and so I want to help you get really well set up for a successful project so you can save time, money and stress, and get it right in your future home. Sound good? So, let’s dive in. SHOW NOTES: In my experience, when homeowners start thinking about building or renovating, this is commonly what they do: they jump online, perhaps set up a Pinterest Board or Houzz Ideabook, and start gathering gorgeous images of kitchens, living rooms, alfresco areas … a lot of aspirational photos of finished projects that look like what they hope they’ll have in their dream home They really do try to nail and define their ‘style’ and put a name on how to describe it … be it Hamptons, or Coastal, or Scandi or something similar They may get a builder around and throw a bunch of ideas and suggestions at them, to try and get an idea of price - which is a bit like asking how long is a piece of string They can speak to friends and neighbours who’ve renovated or built, to see who they used and if they were any good, and what suggestions they might have They might even get a few designers around, and pick their brains for ideas under the guise of seeking fees for their help And I’ve even seen homeowners at this point look at colour schemes, flooring, tiles and Tapware and start collecting samples of things they like Look, all of these things are definitely part of the process, but they’re not the best place to start. In fact, they can be a great way to waste time as you pursue ideas and suggestions that aren’t based in what’s possible for your project and budget - or what potentially suits you the best. And they’re completely lacking any strategy that will streamline your effort, make your project more efficient, or less stressful as well. Homeowners can spend years at this point. Often they’re waiting for the ‘right’ time in their lives … for a pocket of time to become available. Which if you’re like most busy, modern families, that doesn’t really ever happen. Or they’re waiting to have ‘enough money’, which is certainly useful, but if they haven’t actually established their budget, or got some concrete ideas of costs for their desired ideas, it’s a bit of a stab in the dark what ‘enough money’ actually is. I could keep going on about what happens for homeowners in the time before they start their renovation or building projects. Many call it ‘getting ready’ but I feel it’s more like procrastination - or ‘procrasti-planning’ as I call it! And it’s counterproductive because in the searching, the collecting of ideas, the desire to get certainty around what they want to do, what they want to spend, and how they want their home to be, there’s a lot of time wasted. Because they’re often doing it alone, or with well-meaning but poor quality advice from free Facebook groups, or fluffy websites online written by people without a lot of experience or expertise. Sitting up late at night, or scanning their phone on their commute, or at the park with the kids. I think of the deliberation and research that first time mums put into purchasing their first pram or car seat, and yet fly-by-the-seat-of-their-pants for their renovation or building project. I see women taking 12 months to plan a wedding - a one-day event that’s basically a very expensive party - and yet dive into renovating or building with incredible urgency and haste. This may all sound quite harsh and brutal … It basically comes down to this: If you don’t know how to get where you’re going, how can you possibly expect to not get lost? How can you expect to know how to ask the right questions, choose the right people to work with, know how to ask for what you want, be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for, and reach the destination of your finished home unscathed? If you have bottomless pockets and all the time in the world, then winging it is certainly do-able for your renovation or building project. But if you have constraints of time, money and resources, then you may want to be better prepared, better informed, and better equipped for the journey to your finished home. It is possible to have a great experience when you build or renovate your home. You hold the key. You are your future home’s greatest asset. You - what you do, how you choose, what you decide and how you push the progress of your project. It’s within your reach, your power, to be your home’s greatest advocate, and for you to know what you need to know to make your project a success. The fact that you listen to the Undercover Architect podcast tells m

Your Reno Roadmap, my renovation and building course and membership can provide the 1:1 support and advice to save you time, money and stress in your project. How would it feel that, as you navigate the journey of building you new home or renovating your existing one … that you had a professional to check in with, get a second opinion from, and ask for advice at each step of the way. Right from figuring out if you can afford what you want to do, to choosing your designer, getting your floor plan and home design right, making budget savings along the way, selecting your materials and fixtures, and then going through the construction of your project. Someone who you could ask all your questions, and get a response, or get a review of your floor plans, or get help with making decisions? And what if that someone was me, on tap, to help guide and support you at a 1:1 level? Well, it’s possible, and that’s what this episode is all about. WANT TO JOIN YOUR RENO ROADMAP? Head here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/yourrenoroadmap SHOW NOTES: So, what is Your Reno Roadmap? Well, it’s an online course and a membership all in one. It’s really the whole enchilada … it provides education, support, regular advice and guidance for homeowners whilst they navigate the process of building or renovating their family homes. This happens through a few means. I call these the 4 C’s of Your Reno Roadmap. They are: CONSULT COURSE COACHING And COMMUNITY First things first … Let me say upfront first that one thing I’ve observed over the years I’ve been doing this is something I thought was really strange at first. Especially given how much money is being spent on our future homes when we build or renovate. And how long the process can take, how many variables are involved, and that it’s where we’ll be living with our families in the future. What is this strange thing? Well, it is how hesitant homeowners are to seek a second opinion when looking at their renovation or building project. Whether it’s seeking a second opinion on their design, or questioning if what their builder is telling them is true or the only way to do something … there’s this real resistance to involving other professionals and getting assurance that they’re moving on the right path. Now, I’m going to speak a few generalisations here, but this comes from my experience, and perhaps you can relate. Women generally can find it difficult to speak up, and can feel like they’re rocking the boat if they wanting to seek a second opinion elsewhere about their project. Women can also feel that they’ll slow things up, or make relationships difficult, if they look like they’re not trusting what the designer or builder is saying to them. And given the long-term nature of these relationships, they worry that will have a long-lasting impact on how well everyone gets along. And women can also feel - or be made to feel - that they’re being silly for taking so long to gain certainty about their decisions. That choosing and committing to the design, the team, the building process, the finishes and fixtures, should be quite a straight-forward matter and does not require so much deliberation … let alone seeing advice elsewhere to support them in this. And the industry also plays a guilty part in this desire to not seek a second opinion. Designers can be super precious about their work, and either directly or indirectly, and give the impression that a second opinion is a bad idea, disruptive to the process, or that you’re not entitled to seek one. In fact, I’ve personally experienced when a homeowner did seek a second opinion, that her designer told her he didn’t want to work with her anymore. She realised later she’d dodged a bullet by getting out of her working relationship with him at that point, but for her, it felt awkward and confronting at the time to navigate that situation. I know that many members of Your Reno Roadmap keep their membership and my involvement in their projects a secret from their designer and their team. We had this funny situation recently, where a homeowner was asking for help on part of the design of their home. She’s working with an architect who is earlier in their career, and they couldn’t seem to reach a happy solution on this one part of the process. She posted in our Facebook group, and I did a sketch overlay of the area they were struggling with to propose a couple of ideas for it. She posted her thanks and also added ... “… so this might the occasion where I finally admit to our architect that I have been 'seeing someone else on the side' as I'll need to share image this with her so we are on the same page.” I know members have redrawn what I’ve suggested, or presented my ideas as their own feedback … and that is totally fine by me. Afte

Are you starting the build of your new home or renovation soon and worried about it not going well? So many homeowners walk blindly into signing contracts, not realising how significantly they obligate themselves ... in time, money and by law. They don't protect themselves or understand what should happen next. To be frank, it's where things begin to go seriously wrong in projects. This, followed by not having an understanding about the sequence of construction, and working with a builder who doesn’t have systems in place, or shows any accountability to timelines and budget, or keeps communication open and regular … well, it’s not long before things go pear-shaped during the build or your new home or renovation. So, in this episode, I’ll be talking about how to avoid that when overseeing construction of your new home or renovation. WANT TO JOIN MANAGE YOUR BUILD? Head here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ SHOW NOTES: Manage Your Build is a self-study, online course to help you simplify the construction of your new home or renovation, and maintain your sanity! Working with me in this course is Duayne Pearce. Long-time listeners of the podcast will be familiar with Duayne … he’s been a guest here in Season 4, and he also co-hosted with me for Season 7. He’s a fantastic guy, a builder with extensive experience in building and renovating family homes, and loves sharing his knowledge to improve your experience as a homeowner, and the building industry overall. Manage Your Build covers the construction phase of your project. From the point of signing your contract with your builder, through seeing your new home or renovation get constructed, to the builder finishing and you being able to move into your finished home! Homeowners focus a lot of attention on that construction phase, and they often mistakenly think it represents the whole process. There are actually 4 stages to any project … regardless of where you’re located, how much you’re spending, and what type of project you’re doing. They are: Before you begin your project Getting your design right Before you build your project Getting your project built Manage Your Build dives into the nitty gritty of Stage 4 - Getting your project built. I see homeowners get really focused on this stage when thinking about their new home or renovation project. They’re thinking about the builder they’ll choose how they’ll find one that’s reliable How long the construction process will take Where they’ll live in the meantime - especially if renovating - and cover that cost whilst paying for construction How they’ll not get ripped off with a poor quality build or a dodgy builder What materials, fixtures and finishes they’ll choose What their finished home will look like And in that process, they leave behind some really essential considerations that can cause massive headaches and budget blowouts on site, and expose them, their project, and their finances to huge risk. And they can be boxed into a corner, with a half-finished home and a builder holding them to ransom. I see homeowners get themselves in a lot of trouble, not knowing who holds responsibility, how legally they might be obliged because of the contract conditions, and leaving it all too late to do anything about the situation. When you’re in the construction process of your new build or renovation, time is of the essence. The whole nature of construction is that it’s a sequence of activities and people that need to occur in a specific order, within specific timeframes. If work gets delayed, if things get done in the wrong order, then you can not only run into cost and time issues … you can lose the opportunity to have things the way you want them in your home. And there are SO MANY moving parts and people … it is a complex process, particularly if yours is a one-off project. Other potential expensive and stressful headaches during construction include: Thinking your builder is also your Project Manager Your builder not having solid cashflow for your project You and your builder not understanding or following the contract A project doesn’t have structure to it … so no weekly meetings, no communication systems and no regular reporting on cashflow and timelines. I’m super passionate about you being who you need to be, and knowing what you need to know, as you build or renovate your home. Confident, in control, able to be proactive, feeling informed and in the driver’s seat for your project. So you can know how to ask for what you want, be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for, and reach that beautiful home you’re dreaming of - saving time, money and stress. If you’d like to find out more about Manage Your Build, head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ … and if you have any questi

If you’re a US resident, and planning a remodel or a new home, you might be worried about ... Being taken advantage of because you don't really know what you're doing, or what you might be missing along the way Wasting money and time on design ideas, products and choices you're not sure will work, or that you'll regret Unknowingly choosing a terrible contractor who, in the end, leaves you with a defective house and thousands of dollars out of pocket What if instead, remodeling or building your family home meant ... Finding a reliable, great quality team of professionals who will support and guide you through the whole process and a contractor you trust, who will keep your project on budget and time Being armed with the tools you need to spot red flags before they turn into massive cost and time overruns, or cause big headaches Moving into a beautiful quality home that feels great, and you feel great in - that truly works for you and your family! What if you could actually know, BEFORE you invest time, money and energy in your project … that you'll get what you're paying for, and reach the home you're dreaming of? In this episode, I’m going to share how this is possible, and so if you’re a USA resident, then this podcast episode is for you. SHOW NOTES: The Welcome Home Course is an online course, created for USA residents who are planning to remodel or build their family home. We launched this course earlier this month (November of 2018). If you’ve been checking it out, the introductory offer we have to enrol ends Nov 30, a few days from now if you’re listening to this live. In this episode, I share how and why the course was created, how it will help you, and what you get when you enrol. The Welcome Home Course is laid out to take you through all 4 stages of your remodel or new build project. These 4 stages are: Before you begin Getting your design right Before you build Getting your project built In each Module, we share the key steps, mistakes to avoid and strategies to use. You’ll hear real-life case studies, recommendations for finding great people, things we wish we’d done differently, and what is really involved in creating a home that’s functional and feels great … and a project journey that’s enjoyable. There’s also a section called Your Location. The United States is a big place, with a huge range of variety in climate and local conditions from State to State. This section of The Welcome Home Course will teach you critical information needed to understand how to design for your locality, weather and conditions. When you know this information, you can design a home that protects and shelters you, and lowers its heating and cooling costs as well. These decisions can be made early, often at no extra cost, and can make a significant difference in the performance, functionality and feel of your home. And so I’ve collated together some key information to help you understand this more for your specific location. In addition, 'The Welcome Home Course' includes a series of downloadable PDF bonus resources I've created and tailored for you. Hundreds of homeowners have used these resources, and loved the guided support as they plan and execute their project. There’s more information about what each of the modules include in videos and bonus resources on www.undercoverarchitect.com/welcomehome Lastly, let me share with you the words of 2 American homeowners who’ve learnt this step-by-step system. Trina was at the very beginning of her process, and planning a new home. She said, "I wanted to learn about creating a great floor plan that works for our family. I needed a push to get started because it feels overwhelming doing it on our own. Also, I hoped to learn what questions to ask to the architect and how to communicate well with the people who are building our house." "This course gives you confidence as you go into your project. It helps you to be better prepared to ask questions to the right professionals and will hopefully save you time, money (and disappointment) in the long run - be that picking the right people, getting the floor plan that works for you, asking the right questions, and being prepared as to the whole process." ... Trina Trina, since learning this system, is now nearing the end of her design process, and working with contractors to finalise her price and start construction. What’s been amazing has been seeing how she’s known how to mitigate risk in her project … and how she’s really taken charge of the process, ensuring she’s making decisions in an informed way. Jea had specific reasons for joining. And these may sound familiar to you … She said, "I am a planner and I take a long time to make decisions. I want to have all of my ducks in a row before I hire an architect so I am not blind-sided by lots of new information and options. I need time to mull things ov

Do you want to make low tox choices for your interior finishes and fixtures when renovating or building your family home? Melissa Wittig from Healthy Interiors is a ‘health-focused’ Interior Designer. In this episode, she shares some fantastic knowledge and insight into what you need to know about low tox choices for your home. SHOW NOTES: Melissa has over 15 years industry experience, and her work not only focuses on Interior Design, but also in helping homeowners understand how to make low tox choices that create healthy interiors. And she’ll explain more about what this means in this interview. Melissa’s work and knowledge has been published in various publications including, Sanctuary and House & Garden Magazines. She is also the author of several award recognised design resources including a book called The Smart Living Handbook, which she co-authored with Danielle King - and we’ll be talking more about that book in this episode. So, in this episode, Melissa and I talk about: What does ‘low tox’ mean when it comes to building or renovating your home? Why does this information matter when you’re choosing materials and finishes for your interiors? How do you know a material or product is ‘low tox’? What types of questions should you ask to determine how low tox a finish or product is? Where are the main areas to focus in creating a low tox interior for your home? Melissa shares some fantastic and actionable advice, and also some useful resources and tips, when it comes to creating your low tox home. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to know whether solar power is worthwhile for your new home or renovation? This is part 2 of an interview with Lucy Best. Listen to last week’s episode for Part 1. SHOW NOTES: In the last episode, Lucy and I began our conversation about solar energy and solar systems for your home. Lucy Best is the Community Engagement Lead for the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd, and they run a programme called Positive Charge. Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL) is an independent not-for-profit organisation. They are dedicated to tackling climate change and committed to accelerating the energy transition by empowering communities to take action. They work hard to ensure communities play a meaningful part in this transition and that no one gets left behind. The MEFL are a trusted educator, partner, advisor and service provider. They see their job is to build partnerships that demonstrate what’s possible; to give the right advice; and make sure people have access to the information and technology they need to take action. Their customers include councils, business, schools, community groups and members of the community. In this episode … Part 2 … Lucy continues to share some fantastic knowledge and information and answer some of the most common questions I receive from the UA Community when it comes to solar systems and choosing them for a renovation or new build. Some of the topics Lucy and I discuss about choosing solar power for your home: We talk about what you need to know about where you’ll put the panels on your roof. This is a big question I get … when your roof faces the ‘wrong’ direction, or perhaps doesn’t have a steep pitch, or not a lot of space, many can think that means solar isn’t possible. So, Lucy shares how panels need to be positioned in terms of orientation, and pitch, to be as efficient as possible. And what workarounds are available to you to create a solution for your place, and what to consider when designing from scratch to make your roof work for solar. We also talk about requirements for your roof structure, whether using tile or metal. And we look at what to do if your budget is tight and you can only afford a small system, how to find a reputable installer and the questions to ask them. We talk about new technologies with solar tiles that you use instead of roofing material … and Lucy shares some fantastic resources to help with learning more about solar, and getting support and advice in your decisions. Dive into the episode now. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the big conversation topics that comes up when talking about how to create a sustainable home is solar energy … and whether it’s worthwhile to install a solar system on your home. And so that’s what this episode - and the next - is all about. What you need to know about solar energy, and how to know a solar system will be worthwhile for your renovation or building project. SHOW NOTES: In this episode, I have the great pleasure of talking with Lucy Best, who is the Community Engagement Lead for the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd, or MEFL. Lucy started with MEFL as a Community Outreach Worker on the Moreland Solar City Project. As part of this role Lucy worked directly with the community in engagement, education and strategy. Lucy manages community engagement and communications for MEFL including the Positive Charge and Our Energy Future programs, which provide advice on renewable energy and energy efficiency products to community members and councils. I found Positive Charge when I was looking for a way I could get some independent and impartial advice on solar power and what you need to know. Positive Charge is a programme of the Moreland Energy Foundation, a not-for-profit, independent organisation committed to tackling climate change. Positive Charge offers advice, regardless of whether or not people request a quote, so you can talk through your ideas and plans whatever stage you are at. Unlike other brokers we only work with suppliers after conducting a thorough procurement process, so you can be confident that we are offering high quality products and services at a good price, through company you can trust. Better still – Positive Charge will be on hand to support you along the way if needed. Lucy regularly delivers workshops and information sessions to range of communities including SMEs, schools, CALD groups, general interest and environmental groups and council staff. She also plans and coordinates all outreach and promotional activity. Lucy is one clever bunny when it comes to helping us be more informed about solar energy .. what we need to know, the questions we need to ask. And she taught me a thing or two about motivation for putting solar on you roof too, and how to think about it generally. Because this was such a meaty interview full of so much great advice and knowledge, I’m releasing it as two parts. So, in Part 1 (this episode), Lucy and I talk about: The components of a solar energy system … what they are, how they work, to physically get power from the sun to the electrical needs of your home How to work out how big a system you’ll need The difference between panels - Lucy actually shares some key tips to assess their power and potential, and what to know about your roof space and power use overall to inform what you choose We talk about the inverter - and from our own personal research for our place, the advice has been that it’s the part of the system where quality really makes a difference - and so Lucy had some great advice about this And we talk about batteries - and when going off grid is worthwhile, and surprises you may not be aware of when it comes to choosing a battery system, and that you may not be as ‘off-grid’ as you think The conversation is packed full of great information, and you might be surprised at how accessible solar is - this is no longer out-there or super expensive technology. It’s more affordable than you think. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many homeowners know they want a lot of glass in their homes to enhance that indoor / outdoor connection, bring light and breezes into their home, and help it feel spacious. But do you know you could be making your home completely unsustainable in the process? That’s what this episode will help you avoid. SHOW NOTES: In this episode, I’m interviewing Tracey Gramlick. Tracey is Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Window Association (or AWA). Tracey Gramlick has a background in engineering, a Masters of Business Administration in Technology Management and over 30 years of expertise in various fenestration products and façade design, technical, production, education, materials and marketing roles prior to her current position as Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Window Association. And what’s the AWA? Well, Tracey will tell us more about that - and please make sure you head to the show notes or blog for this episode as the resources we share there will be hugely useful if you’re renovating or building your home. And for the USA listeners, Tracey talks about the National Fenestration Rating Council - which is your equivalent resource when it comes to glass window and door selection. So listen into the interview for some fantastic tips, and then you can check out your relevant resources using the links in the show notes. Tracey shares some incredible tips, insider knowledge and mistakes to avoid when it comes to choosing glass windows and doors for your home. In knowing how to achieve energy efficiency, find a reputable window manufacturer, and really compare your choices so you know you’re making the right selection for your needs. And, she’s got some specific tips when it comes to selecting glass types and frame types, and also shares her expert opinion on whether double glazing is worth it. These are some of the things Tracey and I discuss: What is the Australian Window Association (AWA) - how long has it been around for, who does it represent, what is its role, how can it help homeowners? What do homeowners need to consider when it comes to selecting windows, and their energy efficiency? (frame type, glass type, climate, window size, manufacturer, mistakes they make in selections) The AWA has several online resources that can help homeowners when choosing windows - a series of pdf guides, plus some online search and rating systems. How can homeowners use these to help with making confident selections? Is double glazing worth it? How does a homeowner work this out and balance budget with energy efficiency? Frame types - aluminium vs timber vs steel vs uPVC vs Fibreglass … what is the best to use - overseas you see uPVC and fibreglass being used more regularly for example, but aluminium and timber seem most prominent here? When you take your time to research your selections carefully, get informed and work with reputable suppliers, the glass windows and doors in your home will not only help let in light and create a lovely feeling of spaciousness and indoor / outdoor connections, they’ll also enhance the performance and comfort of your home - AND how much energy and money it saves you over the long term. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST, CLICK HERE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, what is Building Biology? I find many homeowners aren’t aware of this field, and yet it’s been around for a while, and can be a really helpful resource if you’re trying to create a home that supports your health and wellbeing. There is a lot that is do-able in your existing home, new build or renovation, that often doesn’t cost anymore but simply requires some knowledge and desire to put into practice. SHOW NOTES: Narelle McDonald is a certified Building Biologist & Feng Shui Consultant the founder of Healthy Living Spaces, President of the Australian Society of Building Biologists, and advisor for Chemfree Community. Her focus is on environmental health for the home with a special interest in children’s wellbeing. There are many elements in a building that can affect quality of life, physical health and emotional wellbeing. Improving our health in all aspects of our life is important as everything is interrelated. Building Biologists have long been aware of this and consider our homes our third skin because of this connection. Narelle is passionate about providing education and empowerment to those she works with to bring about positive lasting changes. Creating healthy buildings, conscious consumers and bringing balance and harmony. Narelle believes by combining both the science of Building Biology and the ancient art of Feng Shui this holistic approach enables us to create amazing spaces to flourish in. Some of the topics we discuss are: What Building Biology is. Some key mistakes homeowners make when renovating or building that can impact their own health and the quality of their home’s environment. How to work with a Building Biologist and find one that’s reputable. What are the simple ways to improve your home’s ability to support your health, whether building or renovating - that anyone can achieve. Some useful resources to learn more about Building Biology for your home. I often find homeowners can get super scared about this information … EMFs (or Electro Magnetic Fields), VOCs (or Volatile Organic Compounds), toxic substances etc. Narelle has some fantastic knowledge to share on how you, as an informed homeowner, can deal with this and educate yourself. This is about you being empowered as you create your sustainable home. Listen to Narelle’s actionable advice now. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you design your home to suit its climate, you can dramatically impact its long term energy costs. Not only this - achieving a specific level of energy efficiency is actually legislated in a lot of locations, and is required in order to achieve your necessary approvals. So, I’m bringing on an Energy Efficiency Consultant to share some fantastic information with us on this topic. SHOW NOTES: Tori Walker is the Principal Energy Rater at BERA, a company which seeks to “Provide Excellence in Building Energy Ratings and Advice”. She has been involved in the design and renovation of homes for over a decade, and has worked with Building Designers, Architects, Builders and Energy Assessors both privately and professionally during this time. BERA has completed the necessary qualifications and registrations to rate homes in all States of Australia. It’s worth understanding that the systems and requirements can vary across locations, and you need to work with someone certified for your region. For the overseas listeners, I still recommend you stay tuned in, as I think that Tori’s insight and suggestions on what makes an energy efficient home will be helpful for your location. Some of the topics we discuss are: What an energy efficient home is. Why is it important to know about the climate of where you’re building or renovating. The National Construction Code requires Australian homes to achieve a 6 star energy rating … what does that actually mean? What’s is the NatHERS assessment tool used to determine the star rating, and how does it get used. How hard is it to exceed the standard requirement of 6 stars, and how much is this impacted by where you are located? What big mistakes Tori sees homeowners make, and also her big tips to get a great outcome for your energy efficient home and its assessment. This actual step of assessing your energy efficiency can be something you are quite distanced from as a homeowner. It may be that it doesn’t occur until you’re lodging your Building Approval with your Building Certifier, and they simply include it as part of their process. You see it on their fee proposal as a fee, and you receive an invoice for it - but you don’t really understand what happens, and what it can mean for your project, your budget, and the long term feel and performance of your home. It is great, if an energy efficient home is your goal, to work with a designer and / or builder who is experienced at doing this, and to also work with an experienced energy efficiency consultant who can help you measure your home’s performance well, and make useful suggestions to improve it. Tori has provided some great tips in this interview. Her business, BERA, services all of Australia. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s dive into some super simple, impactful wins you can put into action in your project to create your Sustainable Home. These are the types of tips that, if you know them upfront, you can create a design that incorporates them and have it not cost anymore. Now, I have a few tips of my own, and I actually found a great list as well put together by the Department of Public Housing Queensland, called “Ten Tips for Smart and Sustainable Housing” which provides a great framework. So, this episode will be a combination of this information. And in future episodes, we’ll dive into some of these areas in much more detail as well. These 12 tips can be a great guide for where to start when considering how to design a sustainable home. They are: Know how the sun moves and design your home to respond to it. Keep it cool in Summer with shading, and warm in Winter by letting the sun’s warmth inside. Lower your home’s energy use overall through the selections you make and how you design your home to maintain its comfortable indoor temperature. Conserve water in how you select your tapware and appliances, in where you source your water from, and what you do with your wastewater Heat and Cool naturally through how you manage the warmth of the sun, and maximising natural ventilation in your home Heat your water efficiently, in what hot water system and power supply you choose and in how you arrange your wet areas that need the hot water Consider aging in place, the ages of all people in your place and how you design a home to support you at all ages and points in your lifestyle, so your home works over the long term Choose finishes for your flooring that are safe, enhance accessibility and design your home to minimise trip hazards, slips and falls. Address the street and make it clear, safe and secure how visitors are to enter your home so your home’s design enhances its own security, and the security of the street Design for natural surveillance, both over the street and public areas, and into play and garden spaces around your home. This will improve your comfort in the home, its functionality, and its safety and security overall. Reduce your home’s need for maintenance by choosing durable and long-lasting materials and products. This will create a relaxing home that stands the test of time and is manageable financially over the long term. Make selections for your interiors that consider the indoor air quality, and assess your product and material choices for their low tox nature. And also look at how natural ventilation can improve the quality of your indoor air environment given how much time we spend indoors. Design indoor / outdoor connections that promote your connection to natural light and the natural environment, and where your climate supports it, create covered outdoor areas you can use to enhance your lifestyle in your home. These spaces will also cool your home by shading it as well. When you start here, the choice of creating a sustainable home can usually be done on any budget, because it’s prioritised and embedded into the design process upfront. A lot of these tips involve having knowledge and resources to make alternative selections that are more environmentally friendly, more efficient, or healthier for you - and I’ve found that in most cases, they come at no extra cost. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does designing a sustainable home really matter? Can we make that much of a difference with one home renovation or new build? The title of this episode is: terminology, the sustainability minefield, and why should we care? SHOW NOTES: Seriously, when it comes to building or renovating a sustainable home, it gets a whole new level of terminology. I sometimes feel that all this terminology does more to confuse us than help us. As soon as we feel we’ve got a handle on one part of the conversation, someone comes along with another criteria or term for sustainable design, and it unravels our understanding and confidence. I actually think confusion is one of the biggest barriers in homeowners creating sustainable homes, and it’s one of the reasons I’m calling this Season “A Simple Guide to a Sustainable Home”. I will be aiming to keep the information we share simple to understand, and simple to execute as well. This is about giving you the ability to choose in a more informed way - and put into action what you learn. Many homeowners tell me … when it all gets to that hard, overwhelming, and frustrating point … does it REALLY matter? They ask if it’s worth all the effort it seems to be taking. And I can really understand that it’s hard sometimes Not every designer is passionate about creating sustainable homes that make the most of your site and its environment. And so, if you as the homeowner, feel you’re having to convince your designer - who’s supposed to be the expert - as to why this is so essential to you, that can get exhausting. One of the recent Australian members of my “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home” course hit this issue with her home. She was planning an extension to her existing home, which sat on a corner. One street was on the western side or the home, and the other was on the northern side of the home. So, the orientation of the house was less-than-idea, as she was extending new living spaces to the southern side of the home - opening out to a south-facing garden. On the eastern side was another tall home, overshadowing theirs.   She’d been listening to Undercover Architect for a while, and then had participated in the “How to Get it Right” course - where, amongst other things, I talk a lot about orientation, and designing for the movement of the sun. She knew the design her designers had done wasn’t working to access northern light into the home that well … and she literally felt worn because she said she’d pushed and tried so hard to achieve it in the design, but didn’t think it was going to happen. In fact, when she asked her architect how she was going to keep her south-facing home warm in Winter (because it didn’t seem to be capturing a lot of northern light), his response was “a Heater”. And so now she was feeling defeated, and also nervous about committing to the design because of what she’d learnt. Not all designers are trained in the importance of designing for orientation, or targetting a sustainable home design. There are designers who’ll simply arrange rooms based on their connection with each other, and the outdoors, and how they fit on the site overall and meet local planning and building codes. So, when you do become educated as a homeowner about how important this is, then it’s really key to find a like-minded designer you won’t have to battle … or failing that … have more information to battle them with so they can realise how important it is. So, I thought it would be best to kick off this season in a way that helps you understand why this information matters: Why it even matters to try and create a sustainably designed home in whatever way you’re capable of. Every little step towards positive change counts, and that our homes have a huge capacity to create positive change for us and the environment overall - and it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing conversation. Remember, incremental change is a great way to achieve huge momentum and shifts overall. So, here are some statistics and facts to illustrate the impact of our homes … on us and the environment … both as we occupy them, and during the construction of them as well. Sometimes these types of statistics sound overwhelming, and far too complex to make any inroads on – especially if it’s just you, and your family and your home. It can feel like a drop in the ocean. As with any journey however, the first step you take can have a radical impact on where you end up. This is the same for home building and renovating too. The thing that is most exciting when it comes to building and renovating is that when you make the first step in your journey in an informed and strategic way, it doesn’t cost you anymore. It actually can save you money overall – both in the creation and the long term

We’re kicking off a brand new season. We’re up to Season 8 and this season is called “A Simple Guide to a Sustainable Home”. In it, we’ll be diving into what a sustainable home is how you can achieve sustainability on any budget know-how you need to navigate the minefield of sustainability, and what to consider and target when you’re renovating or building if a sustainable home is something you’re seeking to create. SHOW NOTES: Sustainability and Sustainable design is a BIG topic. It’s a complex topic too … all the definitions, considerations, building science, technology and details … not to mention the greenwashing you need to avoid as well. And so, I’m calling this season “A Simple Guide to a Sustainable Home”. And that’s what I’m aiming to do - keep things simple. This is not only for the greenies and environmentalists in the Undercover Architect audience - this is great knowledge for everyone to access. Because what you’ll find is that we can save the planet whilst also saving ourselves money, and creating a feel-good home. So whatever of those is your motivation … money, feeling, or planet … learning about sustainability is key in making that happen. So, first things first - how do we define what a Sustainable Home is? Let’s keep it simple. For me, a sustainable home is one that: Is designed to support and improve the lifestyle of those that occupy it, in how the home functions and feels Helps maintain and improve its occupants physical well-being and health Minimises or eliminates its impact on the planet, in its use of resources and production of waste And lastly, this can even extend to giving back … in that triple pronged approach … improving the lives in and beyond the home, saving and even making money, and giving back to the environment overall. Let me tell you some of the topics we’ll be discussing this season … I’ve actually decided to break this season into 2 parts because it is such a big topic, because that will give us the chance to dive into many of the areas I’ve received requests for. So, in Part 1 of Season 8, we’ll be diving into: Why this information matters - and how we can underestimate the potential of building and renovating in a sustainable way, even with the smallest changes I’m going to give you some super simple and impactful ways you can make a difference in any project We’ll be talking to experts about energy rating systems, double glazing, thermal mass, solar power, building biology and other key areas that are hot topics in sustainable design We’ll be looking at how to make material choices for sustainability and low tox environments, the criteria you can use, the kinds of questions to ask and what to focus on when making your selections AND I’ll also be bringing some project examples to you, and speaking to their owners, and the professional teams that created them - to get some unique and personal insight into specific challenges and considerations when designing, building and renovating in this way Sound good? Awesome … so stay tuned for this season … I’m really excited to be travelling on this journey with you, and know we’ll all be learning loads of useful tips, strategies and knowledge in A Simple Guide to a Sustainable Home. FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to learn about underfloor heating? This is a topic of much interest in the UA Community. Previously seen as a luxury item only used in high end homes, in recent years it’s become much more prevalent.   There’s still lots of confusion and misconceptions about how it works, where it can be installed and how to get the most from it – whether you’re building or renovating.   SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, I’m bringing in an expert … Luke Chant, from Hotwire, who has 15 years industry experience, to help shed some light on how to get it right when it comes to underfloor heating. Luke and I met through a business networking group we’re part of. This is not sponsored content … it’s simply from talking with Luke, and seeing the reputation Hotwire has in the industry, and how many other brands trust them, that made me want to bring him to the UA Community – because I knew how helpful his knowledge would be for your projects.  As I said, Luke has 15 years industry experience in this area. His company, Hotwire, supplies the various components and gear to installers for underfloor heating, plus a range of other items you may want to check out. Hotwire is based in Melbourne, and they have installers throughout Australia that specify and use their products.  Hotwire has been featured on, The Block, House Rules, Reno Rumble and The Home Team. Hotwire is also the recommended floor heating (and/or) heated towel rail supplier for some of the biggest tile and electrical suppliers in the industry.   I asked Luke some of the most common questions I receive about underfloor heating … the different types, what type of floors you can put it under, how much it costs to install and run, retrofitting it to an existing home, and how to find a trustworthy supplier. He gives us loads of info on all of these questions – plus lots more.   So, let’s dive straight in!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How can home garden design be inspired by award-winning and large-scale public projects?  Whatever the size of your home garden, there are key tips you can take away from these amazing examples of landscape and building design – The High Line in New York, and The Spheres in Seattle.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  Now before I get stuck into today’s podcast, I wanted to quickly mention that, if you’re listening to this on the day of release – the 7th of August – then this is the last day you can join “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home”.   This is my 6 week online course that gets you ready for your renovation or building project.   It’s the last live round I’m running for 2018 … so don’t miss the chance to get guidance for your project, get your questions answered, and kick off your project in the best possible way.   Even if you’re still working with a designer, now is the time to be sure you’re getting your design right.   So, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/getitirightnow to join now, and not miss out.   In this episode, I’m heading back to the USA, and sharing 2 incredible projects where gardens and landscape were designed in an innovative way.   I think they’ll help you with ideas for your home, whether you’re renovating or building, and whatever the size of your project.   These projects are The High Line in New York, and The Spheres (or Amazon Spheres) in Seattle.  The High Line is an urban park, sitting 30 feet, or 10 metres in the air. It’s a repurposed rail-line, and it has a fascinating history. It’s 1.45 miles or 2.33km long, and has been opening since 2009, as new sections are completed.  In the podcast, I share 2 key ideas from the High Line that can inspire your home garden design. These are:  #1 Remembering history (of your home, or the area it is situated in) and how that memory can enrich the quality of your home design  #2 Looking at the small things, and how they can create intimacy and a sense of relaxation in your home garden design (and the home itself).  You can see photographs and more information about the High Line in this blog I wrote here >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/the-high-line-new-york  The Spheres are glass domed structures built by Amazon to provide a place for its employees where they can be directly connected to nature, within an urban location (the CBD of Seattle). They were built between 2013 and 2018, and house over 40,000 plants, as well as cafes, meeting rooms, and break-out spaces for employees to meet, sit, work and enjoy.  There are lots of ideas here to inspire your home garden design, and I talk about those, as well as 2 in particular:  #1 The impact of volume  #2 The impact of natural light.  You can see photographs and more information about The Spheres in this blog I wrote here >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/the-spheres-amazon-seattle  There’s loads more in this episode of the podcast to help you with your home garden design – no matter its size. So, let’s dive in …  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn how to avoid 3 expensive mistakes when planning your renovation or new build … and ultimately how to avoid disaster and heartache in your project.   So many homeowners make avoidable mistakes when embarking on their project, so I’ll be taking you through these specific ones I see.  And I’ll also be sharing how we can work together in a really affordable way to simplify your project journey, and help you achieve a great outcome in your future family home.   SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  Before I start today’s podcast, if you’re listening to this between July 31st and August 7th, 2018, it’s really exciting, because right now you can join me in my 6 week online course “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home”.  Hundreds of homeowners have taken this course, and enjoyed how it’s helped them get ready for their renovation or building project.   Listen to the episode to learn more about “How to Get it Right” and how it could help you plan your future family home, and have a simpler, stress-free and successful project throughout this podcast. Or head now to www.undercoverarchitect.com/getitrightnow  Now, let’s talk about HOW TO AVOID 3 EXPENSIVE MISTAKES WHEN PLANNING YOUR RENOVATION OR NEW BUILD. These are mistakes I see homeowners commonly make that can cause big budget overruns, and unnecessary expenses in their projects.  These mistakes are:  #1 is the DIVE IN mistake  #2 is the MAKE YOURSELF A TARGET mistake  #3 is the SAVING TO SPEND mistake  Listen to the episode now to learn more about these mistakes, how to avoid them and key tips to get it right …  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello! In this episode, I’m sharing some exciting news with you – especially if you’re a USA-based member of the UA Community - and I’ll also be highlighting some of my learnings and experiences from my recent trip to the USA, and how these ideas can be translated into your home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  Eric Reinholdt of 30X40 Design Workshop and I have created a new online course together. It’s called “The Welcome Home Course” and it will teach you how to confidently remodel or build your future family home – and get it right.   Together, we have over 40 years industry experience in residential design, remodeling and building. In ‘The Welcome Home Course’, we’re diving into what you need to know to successfully design, remodel or build your home, and how to avoid the expensive mistakes, heartache and drama along the way.   There’ll also be other industry experts to support you in your learning, and give local insights for your region, climate and specific challenges. I’ve been to the USA a few times now, and it never ceases to amaze me how big it is, and the diversity of environment and natural conditions from state to state … and so this course is crafted to really guide and help you wherever you’re located in the USA.  This course is specifically for USA homeowners. However, if you’re in the USA design, building industry and want more insight into residential home remodeling or building, this will also be awesome for you – as in it, we take you through the step-by-step process from start to finish of a remodel or new build project.  We seriously can’t wait to bring The Welcome Home Course to you. Having worked with hundreds of Australian homeowners in this way (and already a few Americans), I personally know how great it is in empowering you for your remodel or new build, so you can enjoy the process and successfully create that fantastic home you’re dreaming of.   In this episode, I’ll be talking about a project I got to learn about, which is actually an incredible restaurant in Barcelona, called Enigma.  It may sound strange to talk about a restaurant, and your home, but stick with me here, because I feel there’s always things to learn about our home design when we look at how other project types are working in the built environment.  So, when I was in New York, I attended an event at the HG Stones Showroom. HG Stones is a stone supplier that does a huge range of natural and engineered stones, and they’re located in New York City.   At this event, Pau Llimona, a Spanish architect, talked about the design of a project called “Enigma”. This is a restaurant in Barcelona, where a maximum of 24 diners per evening are taken on a journey that melds food, theatre and the materiality and design of the spaces.  So, what does this have to do with your home? Well, I’ve got 5 things I’d love you to think about, that are inspired by this project. These 5 things are:  experience  materials  lighting  personalisation  and team  Listen to the episode now to learn more …  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Despina Priala of Priala Legal, provides fantastic tips and insight into building and renovating contracts. I think you’ll find it super helpful.  PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in the interview does not constitute legal advice and anyone reading or listening is strongly recommended to seek independent legal advice concerning their contract/transaction.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  Despina Priala has practiced in property and commercial law on the Gold Coast for over 25 years, and has substantial experience in this area with career highlights including her appointment as in-house counsel for Sunland Group (a prestigious Australian property development business).   Despina established Priala Legal in 2007 to provide specialised boutique legal services to developers and other property players within the South East Queensland market.  Despina has some fantastic tips to share with you, and help you avoid some of the mistakes that homeowners make when it comes to the building or renovation contract.    These mistakes can create huge headaches, budget blowouts, and even more significant issues such as unfinished projects.   Despina talks about the things to know before you sign a contract, some specific terminology to be aware of, and what to look for in your contract - and how you need to work with your builder according to your contract - to get the best results for your project and manage your risk overall.  Despina is QLD based and talks in this episode a lot about Qld legislation.   However, if you don’t live in Qld, DON’T TUNE OUT. Listen to the terminology, the mechanisms, and then use it to ask your builder, your lawyer. Apply the same strategies.   This will be around things like:  + your deposit  + what paperwork the builder must give you as part of signing the contract  + if you have a cooling off period, how long it is, and what waives it  This interview was recorded over Skype so the sound may not be what you’re used to from the UA podcast.   However, it’s so worth a careful listen, as Despina gives some great insight into what you need to consider for your project’s contract. This is super useful information for anyone planning to build or renovate.  Listen to the episode now to learn more …  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect   Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE PROGRAM: MANAGE YOUR BUILD  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, we talk about the Practical Completion Stage.   This stage represents the completion of your project, and it's also a contractual point which then triggers a series of other activities and processes required to complete your project, get it signed off with the authorities and deem it fit for you to move back into.   And, because it's a contractual step and process, you, as the homeowner, really need to understand your rights, responsibilities and obligations.   We discuss where your project should be at by now, the things to be aware of as your builder gets ready to leave site and what to expect from your builder in their communication and planning.   Listen to the episode now to learn more …  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, we talk about the Fixit or Interior Fitout Stage.   This, for many homeowners, is the seriously fun part. It's when the interior finishes, fixtures and fittings start to go into your home, and site is a hive of activity getting all this work done.   You can really see all those choices and decisions taking shape as your home gets decked out internally.   It's also where all the choices, decisions and steps get tested, as the structure of the home ultimately informs what the finished surface looks and feels like.   Duayne and I discuss what to look for in this stage, mistakes to avoid, and what to expect from your builder in their communication and planning.   Listen to the episode now to learn more …  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, we talk about part 2 of the Lockup or Enclosed Stage.   This continues on from the last episode, and we keep talking about the steps involved in making your home water-tight as we wrap up the exterior of the home.  There's a lot still left to do in this stage, and it can be tricky to navigate, and to be clear about what's included, and when your bank is willing to make payments in order to keep construction rolling smoothly.   Duayne and I talk about this, and what to expect from your builder in their communication and planning.   Listen to the episode now to learn more …  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, we talk about the next stage of construction, which is the Lockup or Enclosed Stage.   This is where your home gets made water-tight ... in fact all construction is generally racing to this point so that work can occur undercover and your home can be protected from the elements.  And this episode is part 1 of this stage.  This stage can involve many steps and many tradepeople. There's also opportunities to save money if it's run well. Duayne and I talk through these steps and strategies, and what to expect from your builder in their communication and planning.   Listen to the episode now to learn more …  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, we talk about the next stage of construction, which is the Frame Stage.   This is where the skeleton of your home gets built ... the frames of the walls, any upper floors, and your roof frame. And there are a load of decisions you need to make before all of this work gets wrapped up inside your walls, so the finished home works well.  Knowing what you need to get done in this stage, plus how to check this stage before your project moves on, will significantly save drama down the track.   If you don’t check this stage thoroughly, or be ready with all your selections of fixtures and finishes, you can lose the opportunity to change your mind later.   Any items that need to be hung on your walls (from toilet roll holders to televisions) need to be thought about before the Frame Stage is complete.   Duayne and I talk about some great steps you can take to be sure, and what to expect from your builder in their communication and planning.   Listen to the episode now to learn more …  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, we talk about the next stage of construction. This is the Slab or Base Stage. This is where the platform or floor of your home gets built.  I see homeowners struggle with understanding that, at this point, many choices about the finish and functionality of your home should be already decided upon, because it feels SO early in the process.   Yet the slab going down can lock you into certain things in your finished home. And prevent you from having the option to add or change things down the track.   Duayne and I talk about these things, and also the specific activities in this stage, and what to expect from your builder in their communication and planning.   Listen to the episode now to learn more.  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  What happens during demolition and site preparation?  “Demolition and Site Preparation” is an important stage in construction, and often the first real activity you see on your building site.   In this episode, we talk about the next stage of construction. This is the Demolition and Site Preparation stage. This is where you'll be getting your site and home ready for the new construction to commence.  You may be building new or renovating, and so this stage can involve full or partial demolition. Duayne and I talk about the specific activities in this stage, and what to expect from your builder in their communication and planning.   Full demolition can be done very quickly in most cases, and will often be outsourced to a separate contractor by your builder.  Partial demolition can take longer and be far more labour-intensive (and higher in cost as a result). However, if your home needs to have selective areas demolished in order to retain specific parts of it, and ready it for the future construction work, then this can be careful, time-consuming work.   Site preparation can include earthworks and construction work to prepare your site and project for the next stage.   There’s a lot to consider at this point, so that your project is set up to run smoothly, and you deal with unsafe materials such as asbestos. Listen to the episode now …  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to https://undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild/ to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  In this episode, we talk about the first stage of any project - paying the deposit. This is where you'll be signing your contract, and making your first payment to lock in your builder, and get the construction process going.  There's lots to know about this stage, about signing contracts, and how to protect yourself. Duayne and I talk about the early warning signs to look for in this stage, and what to expect from your builder in their communication and planning.   Listen to the episode now to learn more.  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is Quotespec. Quotespec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use Quotespec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Want to make your construction process simpler – and you more sane and confident?  Manage Your Build is my online program that will give you key knowledge, tools, cheatsheets and industry insider checklists and tips, plus strategies to save your sanity and budget as well.   This online program can support you, help you avoid expensive mistakes and drama, and put you in the driver's seat, feeling confident during the construction of your new home or renovation.  Head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/manageyourbuild to see more about what's inside the program, and how it can save you stress and money as you navigate the construction of your reno or new home.  SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:  This podcast is called "The Stages of Home Construction". We're diving into the process of home construction for both new builds and renovations, so you can feel informed as your project gets built. We'll be looking at the what, when, who and how of each stage and we'll be giving you loads of helpful, cost saving, and stress saving, ideas and information along the way.  Have you wondered what's going to happen during the construction phase of your renovation or new home? The actual step-by-step process of construction? What the stages are in how it gets built? And when you'll have to make payments, what they're for, and how to be sure the work is complete and done correctly?   And have you heard horror stories about builders going into liquidation, and homeowners having already paid 80% of their building contract, with only 50% of the home being complete? Or builders not coming back to finish the home because they've had their last bill paid and are not interested in returning to deal with the incomplete work?  This construction phase can be a huge challenge, full of stress and expensive problems for the newbie renovator or home builder.  When you enter into a contract with a builder for the renovation of your existing home, or construction of your new one, you enter a legal process. That process is laid out in the document you sign together, and any accompanying documents and drawings that form part of the contract. The contract describes the work that needs to be completed. And it outlines the obligations of both parties, and the processes for contract execution are also detailed.  The contract also outlines how work needs to be paid for as the project progresses. Whichever contract you're using, it will outline the total cost for your project, and then this will be broken up into a schedule of payments. Those payments will be aligned the completion of specific work as you move through each stage in your building or renovation project.  These staged contract payments can also be known as Draws, Progress Payments, Progress Claims - just to name a few of the terms for them.   And they can be a huge source of confusion as you try to work out if the builder has finished the work they're claiming a payment for, and make sure you're not getting caught out and paying ahead.  So, in this season of the podcast, builder, Duayne Pearce, and I (architect, Amelia Lee), are taking you through The Stages of Home Construction.   Listen to the episode now to learn more.  PODCAST PARTNER: QUOTESPEC  This season’s podcast partner is QuoteSpec. QuoteSpec is a cloud-based app that enables builders and tradespeople to create great-looking, professional, easy to read, and comprehensive quotes for reno and building projects, in a simple and super fast way.   Ask your builder or tradesperson "do you use QuoteSpec?" and if they don't, send them here to find out more about it ... www.quotespec.com.au/undercoverarchitect FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode introduces a new Project Diary on the Undercover Architect website – the design and construction of a new home in New Zealand.  This is a project I designed for the owners late last year, and so, in this episode, I share how the design process went, and how I worked with these homeowners to create the design for their future forever family home.  So, what’s a Project Diary? Well, it’s where we follow the journey of someone who is building or renovating their home. There are already 2 Project Diaries on the Undercover Architect website.  One is the renovation of a Queenslander cottage, and the other is the construction of a new family home for the Andersons. These project diaries go step by step through their journey … from their design process, their quoting, their selection of a builder and then the construction and completion of the home. It’s really great if you’re planning a project yourself to see how another family did theirs, and what they learnt along the way.  And it’s the Andersons that we’re following again.   See, late last year, they got an offer they couldn’t refuse to relocate back to New Zealand, which is where they’re originally from. They put their home on the market, it sold quickly and they found a large block of land in New Zealand. They worked with me to create design for their home, and they’re now working with a local draftsperson, builder and other consultants to kick their project off.  And they’ve kindly invited us along for the ride. So, I thought I’d use this podcast episode to give you an insight into how the initial design for their home was created.   And then over the coming months, I’ll be sharing more information, as well as photos and videos from their building site in New Zealand. Whilst I’ve never seen it in person, the Andersons are awesome at photographing the progress, and even taking drone footage. So, you’ll get a great chance to see how this project unfolds in the months ahead.  In this episode, I’ll be sharing with you how the Andersons briefed me on their needs, wants and wishes for this home, and the designs I created as a result. You’ll also be able to check out these designs by heading to the website >>> head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/newzealandhome1   Listen to the episode for more info now.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Got questions about your renovation or new home?  This episode answers 3 questions I receive frequently from the UA Community.  I receive a lot of questions from homeowners. Between comments on the blog, people getting in touch over email or social media, and from the members in my online programs, it’s always great to see what homeowners are curious about, and the help they need.   I’ve selected these 3 questions because I receive them really regularly. These 3 questions are:  What is the best stage to get a quantity surveyor in to do a cost report on your design?  Do I really need a Project Manager on my new build or renovation?  How do I find time to get my reno or building planning started?  Listen to the episode for more info now.   FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Know what to look for in an architect's or designer's quote so you can protect yourself and your project. Request your FREE Guide now … It includes a complete transcript of this podcast, my top 10 tips, plus 3 bonus tips not mentioned anywhere else >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/quotechecklist  This episode is to help you know what to look for in an architect’s or designer’s quote. If you’re receiving fee proposals from potential designers for your project – and infact any consultants you might need on your team, this episode will be great for you.   I’ve seen many architect and designer quotes in my time now, and to be frank, some of them are shocking. They expose both the homeowner and the designer to a huge amount of risk.   And it’s fine when everything goes well, but if there’s any discrepancy or frustration during the project, then it can be very difficult to understand next steps, and what recourse you might have in your project. The fee proposal, and any agreement you sign, becomes a type of contract for the services you’re paying for. When it’s not well-written, it can cause huge problems.  What type of problems? Well, let me share a scenario I hear FAR TOO OFTEN when it comes to homeowners working with designers. This is not typical to architects … it happens with building designers, interior designers, draftspeople – I hear it across the board.  So, in initial conversations, the designer seems great. They don’t seem precious about aesthetic or particular design direction. They tell you they’re not fixed on any one style, and will design to what you’re seeking aesthetically.  They tell you your budget is spot one for what you want to build or renovate.  They give you a timeframe to execute your project and they’re ready to start now.  And so you sign on the dotted line.  Things start well enough, but then things slow down, they’re not responding to your phonecalls or emails, and missing deadlines they promised.  Or, they’re now telling you your budget isn’t enough, and they’re not willing to have their reputation damaged because you want them to design a budget project.  And style-wise, they now have a specific vision for your project, and really couldn’t care less if it’s how you wanted your home to look.  They now seem to be precious about their reputation, and their design style and vision. They take feedback personally. They threaten to resign when you express your frustrations. They tell you they own copyright and you can’t take the design anywhere else.   You’re backed into a corner, bullied and battle-worn, and feeling like you’re funding the work of an ego-maniac. And you can’t wait for the whole thing to be over and for you to just be in your finished home already. It’s not the home you dreamed of, you’re spending more than you wanted, it doesn’t look the way you expected, but you’re tired, and feel stressed every meeting and during every conversation with the designer.   You feel you’ve got too far into the process to turn around now, and anyway, who would pick up the process now? So, you keep paying your increasing bills, and subjecting yourself to terrible service from a design professional who only demonstrates arrogance in their ability and little respect towards you as their client.  Sounds horrible doesn’t it? And it is. And unfortunately it’s a scenario I hear far too often, and as I said, it’s not typical to architects. It happens across the board, regardless of the design professional’s qualifications.   Some design professionals are just terrible at taking care of their clients.   The good news? You being informed is the key to not hiring these people in the first place, or seeing the red flags early so you can terminate things quickly.   It starts with your quote or fee proposal, and the agreement you sign with your designer. So, let’s look at what needs to be in it, so you can check this off for your project. I’ve got 10 things for you to look for in your architect’s or designer’s quote or fee proposal.   Listen to the episode for more info now.   And head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/quotechecklist and download the full transcript of this podcast.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grab the free e-guide “How to Design a Home – 5 Simple Steps to Get Started and Get it Right”.  This guide will take you through how to create a home that works for you – now and always. It’s based on my work with hundreds of clients over more than 2 decades in this industry, and will simplify the design of your future family home. You can get it by heading to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/homedesign  This episode is all about the designer you choose for your project. If you’ve decided you’re going to work with one, it’s usually the first choice you’ll make.    And I say ‘if’, because I know that many homeowners don’t work directly with a designer. From what I’ve seen, especially in my time in Undercover Architect, many homeowners will draw up their own design on an app, or on paper, and then take it to a builder. The builder may have their own drafting team, and so that homeowner-prepared design then gets converted into drawings for approval and construction.  However, if you have decided to work with a designer, the first question many homeowners have is ‘who do I choose?’ … which is quickly followed by ‘how do I know for sure they’ll be any good?’  So, how do you find the right designer for you and your project?   Well, firstly, it’s accepting that not all designers are created equal. Then it’s a case of assessing their experience, how they treat you, and knowing how to work with them to get the best from the relationship.  So, I’m going to give you 7 nuggets of knowledge to use to assess your designer.   You can use these before you start working with them to determine if they’re worth hiring … and in the early stages of your project when there’s still time to walk away without too much collateral damage.   These 7 Knowledge Nuggets are:  They have a process that demonstrates efficiency  They can communicate  They don’t take feedback personally  They tell you what you need to hear  They guide you  They treat your money like their own  They have industry knowledge and experience  Listen to the episode for more info now.   And head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/how-to-choose-a-designer for the full transcript of this podcast.  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Request your free E-Guide “The View from Upper Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/viewfromupper   Is your main view from the upper floor of your home? And are you needing help with how to design a home to best suit this?   I receive so many questions about how to design a home when your best view is from the upper level. Especially from homeowners who have young families, and are grappling with where to locate the major living areas of the home.  Do your living areas get located on the upper floor where you can make the most of the view, but then accept that they're a storey away from the garden? Or on the lower floor where your living spaces can then have a great indoor / outdoor connection, but then don't have the view as part of that everyday living space?  Having a view can add some serious dollars to the value of your home. It can often improve natural light, and natural ventilation too, as you're exposed to sunlight and breezes in your home.   So if your view is amazing from upstairs and invisible from the lower floor, that might have already made the decision for you about how to arrange your spaces. Or, if your block is narrow, your main view is out to the streetside of the home and your lower floor is going to be all garage door and entry, then again, your decision may be simple to put living on the upper floor.  If it's not this straight forward, or perhaps your main view is to the rear, then ultimately only you can make the choice that suits your needs and your home.   However, there are some challenges and opportunities to consider, and questions to ask, so you create the best outcome for you.   In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for a block of land when your main view is from the upper level or floor. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them.  And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your 'View from Upper' block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your 'View from Upper' block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Request your free E-Guide “The Dual Access Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/dualaccessblock   What is a dual access block? Well, this is what we call a block that has two frontages – at opposite ends of the home.  This may be via two street frontages, because for some reason there’s been a subdivision that’s left a sliver of land only one block deep. Or it may be because the home faces a park where pedestrians can arrive at the home – but it has street access for car at the other side of it. Or perhaps, it has rear lane access at one end, and a street frontage at the other.  Your home may not have dual access strictly speaking - but perhaps it overlooks a park, or reserve area or golf club to its rear. However, as a result its back is more exposed, you might have popped a gate in your back fence, and you end up having two frontages as well. So some of these strategies used for dual access blocks will also apply to you.  If you’re listening in Australia, you may be familiar with the last season of The Block, which featured dual access blocks. There was a street on one side, and a laneway at the other end of each site. Old cottages were relocated to the front of each site, with a new two-storey extension designed for them.   The extension had a kitchen / living /dining and deck at the rear, and then a garden. Then, on the rear laneway, a two storey building was built, which had garaging at the lower floor, and a studio over the top. These are also known as Fonzie Flats – in honour of Arthur Fonzarelli from Happy Days. If you don't remember Happy Days, I’m showing my age here. But it was a TV show we watched as a kid, and Fonzie lived in a flat over the Cunningham’s garage.   I'm not kidding though - this type of development is seriously known as a Fonzie flat in the property industry. And so I'll talk a bit more about this design strategy for dual access blocks, later in the episode.  There will be some parallels between a dual access block, and a corner block. However, I find that dual access blocks require some different thinking because of what happens to a home when it’s basically straddling between two public interfaces. What happens it has to face or address a frontage at either end of the block, maintain security and appear like its not turning its back, can be a bit different to the exposure of a corner block.  However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for a dual access block that are worth being aware of to get great outcomes.   And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your dual access block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  W

Request your free E-Guide “The Acreage Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/acreageblock   Acreage homes can cover a lot of different types. It can be a single acre in a suburban area where large lots are the norm ... right through to a regional or remote area, where there’s thousands and thousands of acres of a working property, with a home situated on it.  Through Undercover Architect, I’ve had the benefit of working with many regional clients, both here and overseas. And I also live on acreage myself, in the Byron Hinterland.   Over the years, and especially from my own personal experience of living in our current home, I’ve learnt that acreage homes are a really different experience of design and living.   There’s different ways to consider how they’re arranged, and how they’re used, and what functionality they need, that can vary from your normal suburban home. Even when they’re in a suburban area.   However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for an acreage block that are worth being aware of to get great outcoms.   In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for an acreage block of land. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them.  And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your acreage block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your acreage block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Request your free E-Guide “The Sloping Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/slopingblock   Do you have a sloping block? And do you know how to design your new home or renovation to make the most of it?  So many homeowners get in touch with me because they have a sloping block and none of the inspiration they’re looking at applies for their scenario. They’re confused about how to get a connection with their outdoor areas, about how they’ll not spend a fortune in excavation and retaining, and how to best deal with the sloping terrain.  This can apply whether their block has a gentle slope to it, is like goat country, or is somewhere in between.   And it usually becomes a case of which of these three options you’ll choose ...   do you build or renovate so our home sits elevated above the slope, floating over it  do you excavate the site to create a flat platform so the whole home can be built of renovated on one flat pad   Or do you do something in between, and step the home to marry in with the slope of the land, so you can create a connection with the site as the home terraces across the slope of the site, creating more of a split level home  Each of these choices have an impact on your costs, the type of home you can build or renovate, and the outcome you create with your home.  However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for a sloping block that are worth being aware of to get great outcomes.   In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for a sloping block of land. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them.  And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your sloping block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your sloping block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Request your free E-Guide “The Wide Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/wideblock Do you have a wide block? And do you know how to design your new home or renovation to make the most of it? When it comes to wide blocks, these can occur in different configurations. There’s of course the more generous blocks. Ones that have nice wide frontages – so generally 15m plus – and are overall quite large in area. They can present challenges in how you arrange the home on the block so that it’s not dwarfed by the overall block itself. So it doesn’t look like a little dot on a great big horizon, basically! At the other extreme, there’s the configurations where the block is wide and shallow. There are a lot of areas where subdivision has created blocks with a wide frontage, and their overall dimensions mean that a home will be strung out with most of it exposed to the street. I’m going to focus mainly on those that are shallow and wide – so almost the opposite of what we discussed in narrow blocks in the last episode. The strategies will apply whether your block is shallow or not, but I’ll be specifically talking about blocks that are wider than they’re deep. However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for a wide block that are worth being aware of to get great outcomes. In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for a wide block of land. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them. And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your wide block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle. Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your wide block. Listen to the episode now! FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Request your free E-Guide “The Narrow Block” which includes a transcript of this podcast >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/narrowblock Do you have a narrow block? And do you know how to design your new home or renovation to make the most of it?  When I refer to ‘narrow’ blocks, I mean anything that is 10m or less wide.   For most areas, that constitutes a narrow block, and some can even get down as narrow as 4 or 5m depending on where you live. Actually, I saw a home recently for sale that was on a block that was under 3m wide!   There are specific challenges when you’re designing for a narrow block. These challenges may change as the block size and configuration changes as well.  So, I’m going to focus on big ideas that will help you think about your narrow block, and how to create a home for it. The things you can explore, and some of the strategies that designers use to solve the challenge that is the narrow block.   And I think probably the biggest priority and goal for designing homes on narrow blocks is to help them feel larger than they are. To create a sense of spaciousness and expansiveness that’s not hemmed in by their narrow width, or skinny configuration. So I’ll be sharing ideas about how to achieve that. And even if you don’t have a narrow block - these strategies will help you with creating spaciousness in your home.  However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for a narrow block that are worth being aware of to get great outcomes.   In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for a narrow block of land. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them.  And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your narrow block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your narrow block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grab the bonus free download for this episode, which includes a transcript and worksheet for you to get it right on your corner block >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/cornerblock Do you have a corner block? And do you know how to design your new home or renovation to make the most of it?  There can be a range of attitudes and feelings about corner blocks.   Some people really dislike them because they feel less private, and less secure. Others think they’re great, because they feel more spacious and open to light and views – and feel bigger as a result.   Of course, specific challenges and advantages may vary based on how flat your corner block is (and I’ll be discussing more about sloping blocks later in this season). They may also vary based on the size of your block as well, and the specific dimensions of it.   However there are consistent challenges and opportunities when it comes to designing for a corner block that are worth being aware of to get great outcomes.   In this episode, I discuss the key challenges to contend with when designing for a corner block of land. I also explain the opportunities that are available, and how to maximise them.  And, I take you 10 key questions to ask about your corner block, and the home you’re building or renovating on it. These questions will help you create a home that suits your land, and creates a great outcome for your lifestyle.  Whether choosing a home off the plan, building a custom designed home, or renovating and extending your existing one, there are certain things to know so you can make the most of your corner block.  Listen to the episode now!  FOR RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST CLICK HERESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.