
293 episodes

Get It Right with Undercover Architect Amelia Lee, Undercover Architect
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4.9 • 41 Ratings
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If we haven’t met before, I’m Amelia Lee, the architect behind Undercover Architect: an online business to help and teach homeowners like you how to get it right when designing, building and renovating your home. Undercover Architect is all about giving you access to the industry knowledge and insights you need to avoid the mistakes and dramas that can cost you thousands, tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it’s about levelling the playing field, so that the world of renovating and building doesn’t seem so mysterious, and you can be the active driver in your project, navigating it with know-how and confidence.
Undercover Architect helps and teaches homeowners through this podcast, the website, and online courses and programs, including my flagship program, HOME Method. I truly believe that when you know the questions to ask, the steps to take and the best way to create a home that works, feels great, and that you feel great in, you can enjoy the process of building and renovating, as well as the home you move into at the end of this ambitious journey.
Consider Undercover Architect your secret ally: whoever you’re working with, and whatever your location, your budget or your dreams. For more, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com
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What is a Performance Solution, with Laura Terrnova, Deemed to Perform Consulting [NCC Series]
I’m continuing my conversation with Building Surveyor, Laura Terrnova, from Deemed to Perform Consulting. We’re discussing Performance Solutions: what they are, and how they’ll impact your project and approvals.
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Understanding the National Construction Code, with Laura Terrnova, Deemed to Perform Consulting [NCC Series]
I’m talking with Building Surveyor, Laura Terrnova, Director of Deemed to Perform Consulting about project compliance, building approvals and updates to the National Construction Code.
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Building a healthy home: With Zara D’Cotta, The Healthy Home [NCC SERIES]
Hello! This is episode 288, and in it, I’m sharing Part 2 of my conversation with Building Biologist, Zara D’Cotta, from The Healthy Home.
This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/288]
If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of my conversation with Zara in Episode 287, head back there now to catch up, as this episode will make a lot more sense to you then! You can find it by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/287.
Is mould and damp really that big a problem in our homes?
Well, we’re seeing growing awareness of just how much of a problem it can be. And the World Health Organisation has advised, in their latest Housing and Health Guidelines, that dampness and mould-related problems should be prevented or treated early as there is no safe level of exposure.
Gone are the days of timber frames sitting out in the elements getting drenched, and then them just getting clad and lined without drying out fully or inspecting to ensure that future problems won’t occur.
This is a risk the industry needs to manage proactively, and I’m actually really excited that you, as the homeowner, are able to hear ways that this can be done during design and construction, and what to particularly discuss with your builder on your project.
Listen to this conversation as I talk more with Zara about the effects of household mould and damp, and design elements and material choices around the home that can have an impact on our health.
Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, plus information on the resources we discuss, you can do that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/288.
Now, let’s dive in!
SHOW NOTES:
If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you.
Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan
This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.
Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses as well.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/288
Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship 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. -
Your home’s health: With Zara D’Cotta, The Healthy Home [NCC SERIES]
Hello! This is episode 287. In it, I’m talking with Building Biologist, Zara D’Cotta, from The Healthy Home. She’s here to talk about healthy buildings and share her thoughts on how recent National Construction Code changes might affect how healthy our buildings are.
This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/287]
Australian homes have been described as “glorified tents” with construction techniques changing very little over decades. Our climate is considered ‘mild’ when compared to parts of the world that experience extreme heat or cold.
Consequently, many homes built in Australia are built without the climate in mind. And, as we’ve had rising energy efficiency standards demanding increased air tightness and insulation, it actually poses a risky issue in the health of our buildings, and the health of us living in them.
We haven’t heard much about it in Australia, but increased air tightness, and a more-is-better approach to insulation, when used without a whole-of-home approach, has resulted in a rising number of mould problems and structural moisture damage to homes in the UK, US, Europe and our nearest neighbour New Zealand.
Coined ‘leaky building syndrome’, a lot has been done to improve building regulations in those locations.
The question is now: will Australia learn fast enough, and be able to avoid the issues experienced elsewhere?
In my conversation with Zara, which is across this and the next episode, we talk about your home’s health, and what to know about its construction and design to ensure you don’t create a hazardous environment for yourself.
And, Zara will also share her insights into the National Construction Code updates, and what to consider for great outcomes in your project.
Whether you’re renovating or building new, this information will be super helpful for you.
Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, plus information on the resources we discuss, you can do that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/287.
Now, let’s dive in!
SHOW NOTES:
If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you.
Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan
This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.
Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses as well.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/287
Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship 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 m -
What’s Changed in the National Construction Code? [NCC SERIES]
Hello! This is Episode 286. In it, I’m going to share some detail about the specific updates that have been made to the latest iteration of our National Construction Code in Australia.
This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/285]
If you haven’t listened to my introductory episode for this series I’m doing on the National Construction Code, I’d encourage you to head back to the previous episode, Episode 285, and listen to it first. It will give you context to this episode, and this upcoming series that will be super helpful.
In this episode, I’ll be sharing more on each of the updates made based on the parts of the National Construction Code that they impact.
I admit, this may be dry listening for some, but it’s going to be super helpful to learn more about the terminology and the kinds of things the National Construction Code has taken into consideration for these latest updates.
It will also provide great context for the upcoming episodes where I’ll be speaking to our amazing guests on the various different topics these updates relate to.
So I encourage you to stay tuned!
Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, plus information on the resources we discuss, you can do that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/286.
Now, let’s dive in!
SHOW NOTES:
If you’re struggling with understanding the overall steps for your project, what you should be focussing on and when, or how to best invest your efforts, energy and money to get a great outcome in your future home, I’ve created something super helpful for you.
Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan
This free workshop will really help you understand the best steps to take wherever you’re at in your project, and how you can avoid some serious and expensive mistakes.
Plus, I’ll share with you what to focus on and when, so you know you’re getting everything in order for a successful project and beautiful home. And you’ll get access to some great bonuses as well.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST NOW.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/286
Access my free “Your Project Plan” online workshop and awesome bonuses now >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship 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. -
Introduction to the National Construction Code 2022 [NCC Series]
This is Episode 285. In it, I’m kicking off a series we’ll be running on the podcast over the next few months all about the National Construction Code. You’ll learn more about what it is, the updates and changes that have and continue to be made to it, and what you need to know about how it impacts your renovation or new build.
Customer Reviews
Best architect podcast out there
This podcast has been so helpful for my new build project. She relates to all levels of understanding without using jargon and being super practical. At the same time honoring the emotional part of this long and challenging process of building. She breaks things down into lists and bullet points, so you can be sure your on the right page. Love, love, love this podcast. If your building it’s a must and even if you just like remodel work it’s super fun! Cheers.
Extremely helpful
I started from the first episode and am working my way through season 2. And I’m confident that what Amelia covers in these two seasons alone will help prevent 90% of the poor design choices we’d make when building. She shares so many helpful design tips and gotchas to be aware of and does it in an incredibly organized way. Even though we’re working with an architect we’re super excited about, it’s awesome to get a little extra advice. And certainly far cheaper than what our architect charges per hour.
Thanks for putting this together, Amelia.
Fantastic!
I can’t believe how incredibly helpful this podcast is! A must-listen for all planning a home renovation or new build. I am renovating a 1925 classic in Southern USA. This podcast is the secret to getting it right!