Building Sustainability Podcast

Swifts are among the most remarkable birds on Earth — they sleep on the wing, migrate thousands of miles, and return each year to nest in the same tiny holes in our buildings. But as we insulate, repoint, and renovate, those nesting sites are vanishing — and so are the birds.
This week, Jeffrey speaks with Hannah Bourne-Taylor — author, activist, and the powerhouse behind the campaign to mandate “swift bricks” in all new UK homes. From raising wild birds in Ghana to walking naked through Westminster with painted feathers, Hannah’s journey is as bold as it is heartfelt.

Full Show Notes: https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/blog/saving-swifts-a-brick-for-the-birds---hannah-bourne-taylor---show-notes/

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In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, we are joined by Chloe Donovan, founder of Natural Building Systems. She discuss the exciting potential of hemp and other bio-based materials in construction, how modular systems can reduce waste and speed up building, and the complexities of bringing sustainable solutions to market.

Topics covered:
Chloe’s journey from the voluntary sector to sustainable construction
The origins of Natural Building Systems and its mission
Why hemp is such a powerful material for carbon capture and sustainability
The challenges of making natural materials commercially viable
How modular building systems can be reconfigured, adapted, and disassembled
The future of digital manufacturing and sustainability in construction
The balance between affordability and sustainability in housing
If you’re interested in how we can rethink construction for a more sustainable future, this is a must-listen episode!

Show Links

Natural Building Systems Website - https://naturalbuildingsystems.com/
Dr Mike Lawrence - https://www.uos.ac.uk/about/get-in-touch/people-directory/research/mike-lawrence/
Back To Earth - https://www.backtoearth.co.uk/
Liner Free paper airtightness tape - https://www.backtoearth.co.uk/product/liner-free-paper-airtightness-tape-ampacoll-easy/
Hempen - https://www.hempen.co.uk/
IndiNature - https://www.indinature.co/
Centre for high carbon capture cropping (CHCx3) - https://www.carboncapturecropping.com/
Installershow - https://www.installershow.com/

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In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Sigi Koko, founder of Down to Earth Design, to explore the world of natural renovations. Sigi shares her journey of blending sustainability and health into home retrofits, highlighting the transformative power of materials like clay and hemp in creating spaces that feel alive, healthy, and grounded.
We dive into:
The challenges and creativity sparked by constraints in renovation projects.
Why natural materials like clay plaster and hemp insulation are game-changers for indoor air quality, sound, and moisture control.
The importance of reclaiming and reimagining our housing stock for a sustainable future.
The emotional and sensory transformation of spaces through natural building techniques.
The growing mainstream awareness of natural building methods and how to communicate their value effectively.
Whether you’re considering your own renovation, curious about natural materials, or looking for inspiration in sustainable design, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.

Show Links:
Sigi's website - https://www.buildnaturally.com/
Sigi's first Building Sustainability Episode - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/how-to-design-the-natural-home-of-your-dreams-sigi-koko-bs070/
Jeffrey's Earthen Floor Company - https://www.theearthenfloorcompany.com/
Will Stanwix - https://thathempcreteguy.com/
The Earthen Floor book
Hemptecture - https://www.hempitecture.com/
Podcast Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/buildingsustainability
Nettlecombe Craft School - https://www.nettlecombecraftschool.com/

Support the Podcast:
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and help spread the word about sustainable building!

Connect with me:
IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder
Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder
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In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design shares her deeply personal journey of transforming a historic farmhouse into a fully natural, sustainable home. From retrofitting with hempcrete to creating stunning clay archways, Sigi discusses the challenges, surprises, and joys of renovating a home with natural materials.
We explore:
The differences between renovation and retrofit—and why Sigi sees her project as the ultimate retrofit.
Creative solutions for insulating, incorporating mass, and optimizing indoor air quality.
The unique decision-making process required for retrofits, including balancing budget, structural concerns, and environmental impact.
Why clay, hemp, and other natural materials are so transformative for homes and the people who inhabit them.
Hosting workshops during a build to empower others in the natural building movement.
This episode is packed with practical advice, inspiring stories, and fascinating insights into natural building techniques that work for both new builds and retrofits.

Show Links:
Sigi's website - https://www.buildnaturally.com/
Jeffrey's Earthen Floor Company - https://www.theearthenfloorcompany.com/
Sigi's first Building Sustainability Episode - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/how-to-design-the-natural-home-of-your-dreams-sigi-koko-bs070/
Will Stanwix - https://thathempcreteguy.com/
The Earthen Floor book
Hemptecture - https://www.hempitecture.com/
Podcast Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/buildingsustainability
Nettlecombe Craft School - https://www.nettlecombecraftschool.com/

Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and help spread the word about sustainable building!

Connect with me:
IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder
Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with Becky Little, an artist, builder, and earth enthusiast, who shares her journey from traditional building to her deeply rooted, place-based art. Becky discusses her Orkney project, EarthBound Orkney, which draws on the land’s Neolithic history, combining locally sourced earth materials to create tactile art pieces that celebrate and reflect the landscape.

Becky explains the influence of geology and place on her work, touching on the ancient methods and materials she integrates, including soil samples, clay mortars, and stone. She explores the philosophy of call and response, as she adapts to the materials and surroundings in a practice that is as much about process as it is about the final product. Additionally, we delve into her fascination with seaweed, which she's woven into her art, embodying the transient nature of materials and place.

Beyond the technicalities of working with earth and natural materials, Becky speaks passionately about the narrative power of her art to connect viewers with the history and future of sustainable, local building practices. This episode captures the essence of art born from nature, sustainability, and an artist’s journey to discover deeper, timeless connections to the earth.

BS129 Links
Rebearth - https://www.rebearth.co.uk/
EBUKI Earthbound Orkney- https://www.ebuki.co/projects-1/earthbound-orkney
Earthbound Orkney BOOK - https://www.orcadian.co.uk/shop/orkney-history/1520-earthbound-orkney.html
Orcadian basin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orcadian_Basin
Skara Brae - https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/skara-brae/overview/
Ness of brodgar - https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/
Maeshowe - https://www.orkneyology.com/maeshowe.html
Daniel Podcast - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/historical-turf-construction-daniel-postma-/
Art and Archaeology masters degree - https://archaeologyorkney.com/2023/07/24/art-archaeology-2023/
Rowland Keable - https://rammedearthconsulting.com/
Sand Talk - Tyson-Yunkaporta BOOK - https://assets.ikhnaie.link/click.html?wgcampaignid=1615880&wgprogramid=10671&wgtarget=https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Tyson-Yunkaporta/Sand-Talk--How-Indigenous-Thinking-Can-Save-the-World/29943931
books donated by - https://www.instagram.com/steve_brown_ceramics?igsh=bWphNzQxeGFhb280
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