The Built Environment

Dean Ipaviz
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From homes to high rises, the Built Environment shapes everything around us. This podcast is about asking better questions about construction, design, sustainability, and how we live. Whether you're a builder, architect, homeowner, or just curious, this is a space for open, honest conversations about the future we're creating together.

  1. EPISODE 1

    How Low Carbon concrete Mixes Are Changing the Game

    Concrete might be the backbone of our built environment, but it’s also one of the world’s biggest emitters. In this episode, Dean sits down with Dylan Viviers from Holcim to unpack how low carbon concrete is reshaping the construction industry from the ground up. They dig into: What low-carbon concrete actually is (and how it performs on site)Busting the myths: strength, setting time, and costHolcim’s EcoPact range and how it achieves real carbon reductionsUsing recycled aggregate, admixtures, and new techThe road to net zero, and what builders, engineers and architects can do now If you’re in the trade and ready to build better, this one’s for you. Links and references: Holcim EcoPact (Australia) — overview of Holcim’s low-carbon concrete range.Holcim Sustainability & Net Zero Strategy — outlines their four decarbonisation pillars mentioned in the episode.Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) explained – EPD Australasia — for context on how embodied carbon is measured.GBCA Green Star Ratings — referenced in the conversation about climate-active certification and sustainability targets.Climate Active – Carbon Neutral Certification (Australia) — explains the certification Dean and Holcim both underwent.ESR Australia — Industrial property developer leading sustainability initiatives in tenders.Alero Group — Commercial and industrial developer referenced for their sustainability approach. Follow Dean Ipaviz and @_thebuiltenvironment on Instagram and visit thebuiltenvironment.com.au

    1 t. 7 min.

  2. EPISODE 2

    Are Solar and Batteries Reshaping the Future of Energy?

    From coal loaders to clean energy, Finn Peacock’s journey mirrors Australia’s shift toward renewables. In this episode, Dean sits down with the founder of SolarQuotes.com to unpack what’s really happening in the solar and battery space, and what builders, architects and homeowners need to know right now. They cover: Finn’s path from electrical engineer to solar expertThe truth about system quality, pricing and installer standardsHow to futureproof new builds with solar ready designCommon traps to avoid when choosing solar and batteriesThe rise of electrification and what it means for the building industryReal talk on solar payback, grid realities, and designing homes that work with energy, not against it. Links & references: SolarQuotes.com.au — Finn Peacock’s company.SolarQuotes Blog — practical insights and explainers for installers and homeowners.Clean Energy Council – Approved Solar Retailers & Installers — useful link for listeners wanting to check credentials.ARENA – Australian Renewable Energy Agency — for context on current solar and battery initiatives in Australia.CSIRO Energy Research — where Finn previously worked before founding SolarQuotes. Follow Dean Ipaviz and @_thebuiltenvironment on Instagram and visit thebuiltenvironment.com.au

    1 t. 11 min.

  3. EPISODE 3

    Building Healthier Homes: What the Industry’s Getting Wrong

    Concrete and carbon get all the airtime, but over the next two weeks, we zoom in on the indoor environment. In part one of this chat, Dean talks with building biologist Zara D'Cotta about the five pillars of a healthy home (air, light, water, low-EMF, low-tox), what NCC 2022 condensation changes really mean on site, and the simple design choices that stop you building a mould pit. We'll be back with part two, next week. We cover: Zara’s backstory: cancer, mystery symptoms, and finding building biologyThe 5 pillars of a healthy homeNCC 2022 condensation management: why “minimums” won’t save youOff-gassing 101: that “new home smell” is chemistry, not luxuryElectrified homes: solar/batteries/induction—placement, distancing, and simple mitigationsPassive House overlaps: airtightness, thermal bridges, HRV/ERV and why details matterBuilder vs architect responsibilities: when to bring in a building biologist Links and resources: Follow Zara on instagram: @zaradcotta_thehealthyhomeCheck out The Healthy Home's website: thehealthyhome.com.auNational Construction Code (NCC) 2022 — Condensation Management RequirementsMore about passive house construction: https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-house and https://www.passivhausassociation.com.au/Australian Building Codes Board — Condensation in Buildings Handbook: https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/resource/handbook/condensation-buildings-handbook-0Article about mould from the CSIRO: https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2020/august/dealing-with-mouldy-housesAnd another from the CSIRO on indoor air quality: https://research.csiro.au/infratech/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2024/12/3006_IndoorAirQuality_WCAG.pdfNational Asthma Council — Mould and Your Health Factsheet: https://files.nationalasthma.org.au/resources/Mould-Trigger-Fact-Sheet-FINAL.pdf Follow Dean Ipaviz and @_thebuiltenvironment on Instagram and visit thebuiltenvironment.com.au

    57 min.

  4. EPISODE 4

    Low Carbon Concrete & Building Biology

    We’re back with Zara D'cotta from The Healthy Home to continue our chat about designing and building healthier homes. This time, the conversation takes an unexpected turn, when Zara raises some concerns about low-carbon concrete. As a builder who’s used Holcim’s EcoPact mixes on site, he digs deeper to separate myth from material fact. After Zara’s segment, you’ll hear directly from Holcim in response to the claims, bringing real world data and onsite context to the discussion. In this episode: Picking up from Part 1: where health and sustainability intersect (and sometimes collide)Zara’s perspective on off-gassing, chemical content and embodied energyDean’s practical take: what actually happens on site with low-carbon mixesHolcim’s response — performance, composition and environmental credentialsWhy facts matter when we talk about “healthy” and “sustainable” materialsHow builders can evaluate products without falling for fear or greenwash Links and resources: Follow Zara on instagram: @zaradcotta_thehealthyhomeCheck out The Healthy Home's website: thehealthyhome.com.auProduct overview for Holcim’s low-carbon concrete range (including EcoPact, EcoPact Max, and EcoPact Zero): https://www.holcim.com.au/ecopactSafety Data Sheets (SDS) for all Holcim products: https://www.holcim.com.au/sdsThird-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) from Holcim Australia: https://www.holcim.com.au/epdWhat is an EPD? Learn more here: https://epd-australasia.com/what-is-an-epd/Holcim Sustainability and Net Zero Strategy: https://www.holcim.com/sustainabilityMore about Green Star Building can be found here: https://new.gbca.org.au/green-star/rating-system/buildings/ Follow Dean Ipaviz and @_thebuiltenvironment on Instagram and visit thebuiltenvironment.com.au

    1 t. 7 min.

  5. EPISODE 5

    Electrification Explained: The 5 Key Pathways to Decarbonising Australian Homes with Saul Griffith

    Electrification seems to be the most practical, cost-effective pathway for Australian homes to cut emissions and save money. In this episode, Dean sits down with author, engineer and electrification advocate Saul Griffith to break down the real opportunities in front of us, and what we know is already working. They dig into the practical realities behind the headlines: Why rooftop solar is now so cheap in Australia and what that unlocksThe five big household decisions that determine nearly all your emissions“Machine turnover”: how simply replacing things as they fail gets us most of the way to net zeroHow families with big energy loads can make electrification work (and sometimes make it fun)The policy failures that slow progress and the places Australia is already leadingWhy anxiety and guilt don’t drive climate action, but clarity and timing do LINKS & RESOURCES: Check out all things Saul at: https://www.saulgriffith.com/Grab a copy of 'Electrify: An Optimist's Playbook for Our Clean Energy Future': https://www.amazon.com/dp/0262545047/Follow Saul on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.electrify/Support Rewiring Australia: https://rewiringaustralia.org/Read 'The Electrification Tipping Point' by Rewiring Australia here: https://storage.googleapis.com/rewiring-aus-pdfs/The%20Electrification%20Tipping%20Point%20-%20Rewiring%20Australia%20-%20March%202025.pdf Hosted by Dean Ipaviz, builder & director at Verdecon, creating high-performance, low-impact homes across Australia. Follow Dean Ipaviz and @_thebuiltenvironment on Instagram and visit thebuiltenvironment.com.au

    1 t. 22 min.

  6. EPISODE 6

    The Truth About Builders Insurance: Costs, Claims & Cover You Actually Need

    Insurance is one of the biggest blind spots in the construction industry and often the most expensive. In this episode, Dean sits down with Dean Bowen, founder of DLB Insurance & Risk Solutions, to unpack what builders actually need to know about contract works, liability, claims, premiums, and the risks most policies never explain. From why premiums have skyrocketed, to the truth about subbie injuries, internal labour-hire structures, and the massive gaps caused by facility broking, this conversation is a rare behind-the-scenes look at how insurance really works in construction.. Whether you’re a new builder or running a multi-million-dollar company, the insights here will help you understand your exposure, strengthen your risk strategy, and ask the right questions before you sign your next policy. In this conversation they cover: Why most builders become ‘just another number’ under facility-brokered policiesThe real factors driving up insurance costs (materials, labour, weather events, subbie injuries)The biggest underwriting red flags and how long they follow youHow insurers assess risk, premiums and loss ratios behind the scenesWhy internal labour-hire entities are causing a wave of new disputesHow builders should structure policies as they growEmerging risks: cyber fraud, PI exposure, management liability and moreThe gap no one talks about: existing structure insurance in renovations (and the huge disputes it’s now causing) This is Part 1 with Dean Bowen. Part 2 will tackle the monster topic of Home Warranty Insurance in NSW, a complete minefield for new and growing builders. Resources and Links: Find out more about DLB Insurance & Risk Solutions here: dlbinsurancerisk.com.au Hosted by Dean Ipaviz, builder & director at Verdecon, creating high-performance, low-impact homes across Australia. Follow Dean Ipaviz and @_thebuiltenvironment on Instagram and visit thebuiltenvironment.com.au

    54 min.

  7. EPISODE 7

    The Home Warranty Mess: Caps, Claims & Confusion

    In Part Two of this massive conversation, Dean Bowen returns to unpack the most confusing, frustrating and misunderstood part of the building industry: Home Warranty Insurance in New South Wales.. why it exists, how it works, and why the system is failing both builders and homeowners. They get brutally honest about the bureaucratic mismanagement behind the scheme, the insolvency crisis driving record claims, the unrealistic $340,000 cap, and the growing gap between what homeowners think they’re protected against and what the insurance actually covers. If you’re a builder trying to navigate eligibility, caps, financial reviews, and increasing premiums, or a homeowner wondering why your warranty certificate costs so much but covers so little, this episode is essential listening. In this episode:Why the NSW Home Warranty Scheme is “a complete shitshow”What Home Warranty really covers and the four triggers required for a claimWhy insolvency is driving the majority of claims (and why that’s getting worse)The absurdity of the $340k cap in a world of $2–10 million buildsHow the scheme punishes good builders but still fails homeownersShould NSW adopt the Victorian or Queensland approach?\The massive issue with combining residential and commercial work under one ABN Resources and Links: Find out more about DLB Insurance & Risk Solutions here: dlbinsurancerisk.com.au Hosted by Dean Ipaviz, builder & director at Verdecon, creating high-performance, low-impact homes across Australia. Follow Dean Ipaviz and @_thebuiltenvironment on Instagram and visit thebuiltenvironment.com.au

    1 t. 3 min.

  8. EPISODE 8

    Passive House: Principles, Performance and Practical Application

    Passive House is one of the most misunderstood concepts in residential construction... often dismissed as “too expensive,” “too European,” or “not suited to Australian climates.” In this episode, Dean sits down with Daniel Kress, founder of Smart Plus Academy, to talk about what Passive House is, how it works, and why builders need to understand it. Drawing on decades of experience across Germany, Ireland, Canada and Australia, Daniel explains the building physics behind comfort, airtightness, moisture control and energy use, and why most Australian homes still get these fundamentals wrong. The conversation also explores cost myths, window performance, the limits of NatHERS, and how better design-build integration can dramatically reduce construction risk. It’s a practical, builder-level conversation about performance, process, and why understanding Passive House principles can make you a better builder. In this episode: Daniel’s journey from German carpentry and prefab construction to Passive House educationWhy Passive House works in all climates, including AustraliaThe science of comfort: temperature, humidity, CO₂ and health outcomesAirtightness explainedThe difference between Passive House, Passive House principles, and greenwashingWhy certification existsCommon misconceptions around costReal numbers: additional cost per m² and where it’s actually absorbedWindows, condensation and why double glazing alone isn’t enoughUPVC vs aluminium vs timberWhy NatHERS misses critical performance issues in real buildingsHow builders can take control earlier through site selection and design inputWhere AI is already reshaping design, costing and performance modellingWhy Passive House forces better communication between designers and buildersThe long-term financial, health and comfort benefits of getting it right Links & Resources: Smart Plus Academy https://smartplusacademy.comPassive House Institute https://passiv.deAustralian Passive House Association https://passivehouseaustralia.orgPro Clima – Building envelope systems https://proclima.comNatHERS energy rating scheme https://www.nathers.gov.au/ Hosted by Dean Ipaviz, builder & director at Verdecon, creating high-performance, low-impact homes across Australia. Follow Dean Ipaviz and @_thebuiltenvironment on Instagram and visit thebuiltenvironment.com.au

    1 t. 28 min.
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From homes to high rises, the Built Environment shapes everything around us. This podcast is about asking better questions about construction, design, sustainability, and how we live. Whether you're a builder, architect, homeowner, or just curious, this is a space for open, honest conversations about the future we're creating together.

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  • Skaber
    Dean Ipaviz
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    14
  • Sæsoner
    1
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    © Copyright 2026 Dean Ipaviz
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    The Built Environment
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