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44 Ways #37: Reduce Demolition Waste Nov 09, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 437. This is Way #37 of the ‘44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home’ series, and we’re continuing through Section Eight: Sustainability During Construction.

Way #37 is: Reduce Demolition Waste.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/437

If you’re doing a knock-down rebuild, or demolishing part of an existing home to renovate, there’s an enormous amount of material that comes out of that building.

There is no such thing as ‘away’ when we think about the waste that generates. It all has to go somewhere, and it often goes into a hole in the ground. Over 40% of Australia’s waste is from the construction industry, or around 27 million tonnes per year. Around 20,000 residential demolitions are approved each year, with over 95% of those being individual homes.

There are recovery programs and ways that the amount of waste being sent to land fill is considerably reduced, but it takes intention and planning to ensure opportunities can be maximised.

So, we’ll be talking more about that in this episode.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/437.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/437

Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature online program >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 Ways #36: Include a Thermal Imaging Inspection Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 436. This is Way #36 of the ‘44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home’ series, and we’re continuing through Section Eight: Sustainability During Construction.

Last episode, we talked about the blower door test: a way to measure how airtight your home is. This episode is about a closely related tool that shows where the thermal weaknesses in your building envelope are, and provides the opportunity to fix them before your home’s construction is completed.

Way #36 is: Include a Thermal Imaging Inspection.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/436]

This, with your blower door test, are the two essential tests I feel every new build and renovation project should have during construction to set up a home’s energy efficiency and performance and catch any issues before the project is complete and the builder leaves the site.

In the same way that a blower door test catches any air leakage issues during construction, thermal imaging helps locate hidden problems that may not be apparent through visual inspection alone, enabling early detection and corrective action.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/436.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/436

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 Ways #35: Get a Blower Door Test Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 435. This is Way #35 of the ‘44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home’ series.

In this episode, we’re kicking off Section Eight: Sustainability During Construction.

And so, we’re going to start this section of the ‘44 Ways’ series by discussing something I wish would become standard for every single new build and potentially every renovation as well.

Way #35 is: Get a Blower Door Test.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/435]

Because, if you’re planning to create a sustainable home, your goals can come completely undone during construction.

This is largely because there is no ‘as built’ verification process inherently included in how we deliver construction of residential homes. Yes, in some locations, there are some checks along the way, but the conventional construction process doesn’t have a legislated way of proving to you that you’ve got the home you designed and specified.

However, a certified Passive House does have as-built verification requirements, and so, there are certain tests that can be adopted from the passive house methodology into traditional construction practices.

These tests can provide useful information during construction, whilst improvements and changes can still be made, to ensure you’re getting what you’re paying for in your designed and modelled energy performance. And as a result, they can uplevel typical construction to optimise what’s possible for your home.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/435.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/435

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 Ways #34: Soft Cover vs Hard Cover Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 434. This is Way #34 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re continuing through Section Seven: A Sustainable Site: Landscape Design.

Way #34 is: Soft Cover vs Hard Cover.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/434]

As we build with greater density in our suburbs and urban locations, we increase the amount of hard cover, or hard surfaces. Concrete, paving, and other hard cover surfaces prevent water during rain periods and general overland flow from being able to enter locally back into ground water, restoring the water table.

Instead, water runs over these surfaces, and into stormwater systems, potentially overloading them (especially during heavy rain periods) and taking potential pollutants as well as soil and silt with it from these surfaces.

These hard surfaces also absorb heat, and contribute to higher temperatures in higher density areas through something known as the urban heat island effect.

By contrast, creating soft cover on your site with grass, landscaping, open paving selections and other landscape devices, can improve water management and quality, and also improve temperature management on a site. This can be significantly beneficial for your home, and the larger built environment.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/434.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/434

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 Ways #33: Learn About Biophilic Design Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 433. This is Way #33 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re continuing through Section Seven: A Sustainable Site: Landscape Design.

Last episode, Way #32, we looked at the outdoor room as a sustainability asset. This episode talks about a bigger concept that you may or may not be familiar with, but can dramatically impact how you feel in your home, and the way it supports your health and wellness overall.

Way #33 is: Learn About Biophilic Design.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/433]

The connection with gardens, with light, with natural elements … all of that is scientifically proven to improve our well-being, our sense of relaxation and lower our anxiety levels overall.

Design that capitalises on this is known as Biophilic Design.

This doesn’t have to be grand statements. There are many examples of projects that have shown that something as simple as a lovingly curated collection of indoor plants can make a massive difference to the feel and function of a space in someone’s home. That can be achieved anywhere, for very little budget.

Equally, it can be about your garden and outdoor design generally. It can also relate to material selection, and the use of patterns and other choices.

Biophilic design can be a worthwhile inclusion in your overall approach when creating your sustainable home.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/433.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/433

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 Ways #32: Design Your Outdoor Room Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 432. This is Way #32 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re beginning a new section: Section Seven, A Sustainable Site: Landscape Design.

This section shifts focus to your site and your landscape, and how the design of the spaces around your home can be designed with sustainability as your priority.

Way #32 is: Design Your Outdoor Room.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/432]

Our wellbeing is greatly enhanced through a connection to light, the outdoors and the natural environment, so bringing this focus into our homes, where we can, will make a big difference to their sustainability.

Plus, if your climate allows you to be outdoors for some, or a big chunk of the year, this can greatly expand the size, spaciousness and feel of your home too, enabling you to build less, but still achieve great functionality overall.

In warmer climates, creating shaded spaces around the edges of our home, can help cool air before it enters our home and improve the home’s ability to stay cool during the warmer months as well.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/432.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/432

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 Ways #31: Choose Based on Efficiency of Manufacture Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 431. This is Way #31 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re wrapping up Section Six: Choosing Materials, Fixtures and Finishes.

In this section of the ‘44 Ways’ series, I’ve been covering one specific criteria for choosing materials and products per episode. And so far, we’ve covered choosing for longevity and durability, a low carbon footprint, low VOCs and low tox, recyclability and low waste, and choosing from companies with sustainability missions.

Way #31 is: Choose Based on Efficiency of Manufacture.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/431]

This is where your sustainable selection criteria can be shaped by how a material, product, fixture or finish has been made, and whether it is energy efficient in its manufacture. And also reviewing whether it will improve your home’s energy efficiency.

Choosing this way can also involve reviewing the water use of a material or product in its manufacture, and whether it saves water in its production or use in your home.

And this selection criteria can also mean finding products that source their manufacturing energy needs via renewable energy, and recycle water in their manufacturing process.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/431.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/431

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 Ways #30: Choose from Companies with Sustainability Missions Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 430. This is Way #30 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re continuing through Section Six: Choosing Materials, Fixtures and Finishes.

In this section, I’m covering one specific criteria for choosing materials and products per episode, providing you with six different criteria overall. This episode covers the fifth criteria you can use to choose materials, fixtures and finishes with sustainability in mind.

Way #30 is: Choose from Companies with Sustainability Missions.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/430]

Increasingly in other sectors, we’re seeing people make choices to spend money with businesses that are aligned with their own personal values.

They’re keen to see their spending decisions support businesses they believe in, and find companies that have missions that help create the kind of world they also envisage for their future.

This is also possible when you build or renovate, because the culture, values and mission of the companies you purchase from for your project can be aligned with your sustainable values.

And finding companies that operate like this can be a great selection criteria for the products, materials, fixtures and finishes you’re choosing for your future home.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/430.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/430

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 Ways #29: Choose for Recyclability and Low Waste Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 429. This is Way #29 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re continuing through Section Six: Choosing Materials, Fixtures and Finishes.

In this section of the ‘44 Ways’ series, I’m covering one specific criteria for choosing materials and products per episode. We’ve talked about choosing for longevity and durability in Episode 426, choosing for a low carbon footprint in Episode 427, and choosing low VOCs, natural and lox ingredients in your materials, fixtures and finishes in Episode 428.

Way #29 is: Choose for Recyclability and Low Waste.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/429]

Choosing products and materials with this in mind can shape your project in a very different way and, when making this a sustainability priority, it reaches far further than many initial considerations, as it impacts everything from the design process, through selections, to the construction site and builder’s business practices.

So, we’ll be going through various things to consider and how to incorporate this sustainability priority in your project.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/429.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/429

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

44 Ways #28: Choose for Low VOCs and Natural or Low-Tox Ingredients Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Hello! This is Episode 428. This is Way #28 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series, and we’re continuing through Section Six: Choosing Materials, Fixtures and Finishes.

In this section, I’m covering specific criteria for choosing materials and products for your home. We’ve talked about choosing for longevity and durability in Episode 426, and choosing for a low carbon footprint in Episode 427.

Way #28 is: Choose for Low VOCs and Natural or Low-Tox Ingredients.

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/428]

Given how much time we spend in our homes, the quality of our indoor air becomes super impactful on how our home feels.

There’s also the increasing susceptibility people can have to toxins, as well as personal values that drive them to make low tox choices in other areas of their lives.

So, it makes sense that this can be a selection criteria in making sustainable choices with the materials, products, fixtures and finishes for your home.

As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/428.

Now, let's dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/428

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.