Mindful Builder

Matthew Carland and Hamish White
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Join Matt from Carland Constructions and Hamish from Sanctum Homes in a podcast discussing sustainable building practices and passive house concepts. They also talk to experts from all avenues of the building industry to share their knowledge and insights on what the industry looks like today. Further to this, Matt and Hamish are building a platform through the podcast to discuss mental health issues that arise in the building industry. The industry can be quite negative at times and there is a great deal of stigma around what it means to be a "tradie". Matt and Hamish are here to shine a light of positivity on the industry and share relatable topics that will help you in your own building or construction business.

  1. Weekly Building Gossip - 9th April 2026

    1D AGO

    Weekly Building Gossip - 9th April 2026

    Episode Title: The NCC Maze, Red Tape Blues, and a Win for Passive House Date: 9 April 2026 Hosts: Matt & Hamish In this second instalment of The Weekly Gossip, Matt and Hamish navigate the "grey areas" of the 2025 National Construction Code (NCC) updates and the mounting administrative burden currently squeezing the life out of small building businesses. We also look at some progressive moves in South Australia and shout out a Kiwi builder doing the absolute "impossible" on the side of a cliff. Inside This Episode:The NCC "National" Discrepancy: Why are some states adopting the 2025 updates on 1 May while NSW and the ACT push it back to 2027? We discuss the confusion of a "National" code that isn't actually national.Mandatory Education: The hosts argue that government bodies, not just industry associations like the HIA or SBA, should be responsible for educating practitioners on code changes through mandatory sessions.Lead-Free Plumbing: Victoria is moving to lead-free plumbing standards by May 2026 to align with global safety standards—no grace period expected.The "B******t Jobs" of Construction: A deep dive into the HIA Small Business Conditions report, revealing that builders are spending a minimum of 10 hours a week just on "red tape" and administrative hurdles.Industry Stress & Retention: With 88% of small builders reporting increased personal stress and 68% considering closing their doors, we discuss the urgent need for a more supportive regulatory environment.Passive House as a Pathway: A massive win for South Australia, as they begin allowing Passive House standards as a performance-assessed pathway to meet thermal performance requirements.The Weekly Shout-Out: We head across the ditch to New Zealand to look at Josh from Compound and his mind-blowing project, "The Hill," in Queenstown. Important Dates & Events:HIA National Conference (Gold Coast): 17–18 April 2026.The Mindful Builder SA Road Trip: 20–21 April 2026. Join Matt and Hamish for a Q&A at Jackson’s display home (Enduro Builders).SBA Retrofit Event: 7 May 2026. Featuring Sarah Lebner, Dylan Orwin, and Helen Oakley.Passive House Association Conference (Thrive): 25–26 June 2026. Use promo code THEMINDFULBUILDER.

    17 min
  2. The future of onsite building technology

    4D AGO

    The future of onsite building technology

    Construction technology is changing fast, and in this episode, we sit down with Vas from C.R. Kennedy to talk about the tools already reshaping the construction industry. From geospatial technology and 3D site scanning to total stations and robotic set-out systems, this conversation looks at how builders can improve accuracy, efficiency, and communication on site. If you are interested in construction innovation, building technology, and the future of smarter job sites, this episode is packed with practical insight. We explore how onsite construction technology is helping teams reduce mistakes, improve workflows, and give clients a clearer view of project progress. Vas shares how tools like 3D cameras, laser measuring systems, and digital site capture are making it easier to document existing conditions, track changes, and create more transparent building processes. For builders, architects, and contractors, this is where construction tech stops being a novelty and starts becoming a real competitive advantage. The episode also dives into the role of robotics in construction and emerging tools designed to support safety and productivity. We talk about robot dogs, automated inspections, and even exoskeleton technology that can help reduce physical strain on trades. It is a grounded look at how construction safety technology and automation in construction can support workers, not replace them, while helping the industry deal with labour pressure, precision demands, and rising expectations. If you want to stay ahead of where the Australian construction industry is heading, this conversation is well worth your time. We cover survey technology, construction site innovation, digital construction tools, and the growing role of smart building technology in everyday projects. 👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇 00:00 Intro | Construction Technology in Australia 01:36 New Dad Life and Working in Construction Tech 02:39 Postnatal Mental Health and Life on Site 05:30 Meet Vas from C.R. Kennedy 07:21 How Construction Technology Is Evolving 07:58 3D Site Scanning in Construction 13:05 Prefab Construction Needs Precision 20:27 Construction Tech Costs, ROI and Team Training 26:58 Future Technology in the Construction Industry 27:31 Virtual Reality in Construction: Hype or Helpful? 28:09 How Exoskeletons Could Support Trades On Site 30:24 Robot Dogs in Construction Explained 31:48 The Reality of Robotics in Construction 34:02 AR Glasses and Digital Measuring on Site 36:16 Will Robots Replace Trades in Construction 38:34 Drones in Construction and Site Monitoring 40:28 Construction Cameras and Site Security Technology 45:43 Laser Layout Tools and Construction Workflow 48:54 Mindful Moment | Adapting to New Building Technology 50:30 How to Connect with Vas and C.R. Kennedy LINKS: Connect with Vas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vassili-achkar-b2013412b/ C.R.Kennedy: https://www.crkennedy.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crkennedybuild/ Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with us on Instagram:  @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website:  www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt:  Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website:  www.carlandconstructions.com/ Mentioned in this episode: Proclima Sponsor

    52 min
  3. Weekly Building Gossip - NCC Changes

    APR 1

    Weekly Building Gossip - NCC Changes

    This episode covers the latest updates in the Australian building industry, including new legislation, code transitions, and innovative materials. Hosts Matt and Hamish analyse recent news, government policies, and emerging technologies impacting builders and homeowners. Matt and Hamish from The Mindful Builder are launching a new, "short and sharp" weekly news segment. Capped at 10 minutes, the offshoot aims to provide a non-biased rundown of Australian building industry news, focusing on facts and positive stories while navigating a shifting legislative landscape. In their first wrap-up, they tackle the Victorian Government’s "Dodgy Builder" bill, which empowers the Building Plumbing Commission to halt defective work early and targets "phoenixing"—where builders fold companies to dodge warranty claims. While they welcome the move, they note it may inadvertently hike consumer costs through increased insurance premiums. The duo also discussed the NCC 2025 transition. While some states have delayed adoption, Victoria is moving ahead on 1 May 2026 with no transition period, introducing crucial lead-free plumbing requirements and mandatory condensation management. Hamish argued that any "pause" in standards must include mandatory as-built verification to ensure seven-star ratings are actually met. Other highlights include: Levy Relief: Victoria is winding down the combustible cladding levy, saving developers significant costs on large projects.EPA Crackdown: The EPA now considers poor moisture management during builds as "environmental pollution," holding builders liable for future mould growth.Fungi Tech: A "quirky" look at Swinburne University researchers using mycelium to grow fire-resistant, breathable structural blocks. The segment wraps up with a cheeky acknowledgement of their "work-it-out-as-we-go" style, promising more prepared insights in the coming weeks.

    14 min
  4. What is sustainable design and construction?

    MAR 29

    What is sustainable design and construction?

    “Sustainable design is not just lower energy bills. It is health, comfort, moisture safety, and long-term performance.” We sat down with Marcus Strang, Technical Lead in Passivhaus at HIP V. HYPE, to explore what sustainable building design really means in practice. With a PhD from the University of Queensland and deep expertise in building science, Marcus shares how Passive House design is helping shape healthier, more energy efficient buildings in Australia. We unpack how Passivhaus principles go far beyond energy efficiency. This conversation covers thermal comfort, indoor air quality, moisture safety, and why high-performance homes need to respond to Australia’s diverse climate zones. Marcus explains how sustainable architecture is not about applying one formula everywhere, but about designing buildings that perform properly in their specific environment. A major focus of the episode is hygrothermal modelling and moisture movement in engineered timber buildings, including CLT construction. Marcus shares why condensation risk, mould prevention, and long-term durability are critical parts of sustainable construction, especially in hot and humid climates. If you care about building performance, timber construction, and low-energy design, this part of the conversation is especially valuable. We also talk about the bigger picture for the construction industry. How technical expertise, early design decisions, and better collaboration can help drive net zero carbon outcomes and more resilient buildings. If you are interested in Passive House Australia, sustainable design, building science, energy-efficient homes, and the future of high-performance construction, this episode is packed with practical insight. 👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇 00:00 Intro 01:58 Favourite Passive House Build 03:19 Meet Marcus Strang 04:05 What Is High Performance 07:44 Passive House In Humid Environments 12:41 ERVs And Dehumidification 14:08 Why Schools Need It 20:30 Commercial Modelling And Roles 22:52 Conflicts And Certification 23:37 Avoiding Certification Failures 25:29 Common Airtightness Mistakes 27:07 Moisture Risk in Cavities 27:29 Ventilated Brick Drainage 28:22 Photo Checklist Workflow 29:52 First Home Retrofit Plan 33:12 Low Cost Efficiency Upgrades 34:40 Step by Step Passive Retrofit 35:01 Windows and Air Quality 37:41 External Insulation Debate 42:06 Airtightness Without Intello 46:20 Apprentice Mindful Moment 48:44 Embodied Energy Tooling 50:57 EasyPH Controversy 52:14 Wrap Up and Thanks LINKS: Connect with Marcus: https://hipvhype.com/our-approach/our-people?t=marcus-strang Our Sponsors: Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/ Mentioned in this episode: Proclima Sponsor

    54 min
  5. Sustainability consulting and pushing boundries

    MAR 22

    Sustainability consulting and pushing boundries

    “Sustainable buildings focus on what's invisible, not visible” In this episode of The Mindful Builder, we sit down with Roberto Petruzzi, an Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) specialist, to unpack what building performance and energy efficiency really mean in practice. We talk about energy modelling, building science, and why the details you cannot see often matter most for comfort, durability, and running costs. Roberto explains the unseen layers that shape high-performance homes, including airtightness, thermal performance, insulation continuity, ventilation strategy, glazing choices, and shading. These are the decisions that determine whether a home feels stable and comfortable, or whether it runs hot, cold, damp, or expensive. Sustainability is not about ticking boxes. It is about designing buildings that perform as intended in their climate. One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is Roberto’s take on restraint. Sometimes, the most sustainable decision is choosing not to build when financial or environmental constraints do not stack up. It is not a popular message in construction, but it is an honest one. Sustainability is not only about what you add to a project. It is also about what you avoid. We also dig into collaboration across the whole project team. Architects, engineers, builders, and clients need to be aligned early, because the biggest performance wins happen in the early design stage. If you care about sustainable architecture, energy efficient homes, ESD, and building better in Australia, this episode will give you a clearer way to think about it. 👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇 00:00 Welcome 03:41 Budget Reality Checks 05:48 Meet Robert Petruzzie 07:26 From Switzerland to ESD 09:24 What ESD Consultants Do 11:12 Council Plans and Greenwashing 15:17 Balancing Daylight and Thermal 16:33 Perfect Buildings and Tradeoffs 20:56 NAB HERS vs Passive House 24:41 Air Change Assumptions 25:37 HERS Rating Limitations 26:21 What Is WUFI 27:38 Retrofit Moisture Risks 30:59 Reading Mould Index 35:00 Parklife Wall Assemblies 39:02 Airtightness Skills Gap 40:02 Building the Backyard Pod 43:24 Retrofit Priorities 44:49 Curiosity for Apprentices 45:52 Mandatory Airtight Testing 46:50 Wrap Up LINKS: Connect with Roberto: https://hipvhype.com/our-approach/our-people?t=Roberto-Petruzzi Our Sponsors: Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/ Mentioned in this episode: Proclima Sponsor

    49 min
  6. From commercial to residential construction

    MAR 15

    From commercial to residential construction

    “Commercial teaches you speed and logistics. Residential teaches you people.” In this episode, we sit down with Alistair Meallin, Director at Y Projects, to talk about what it really takes to build high-quality custom homes in Australia. With over a decade in construction and a construction degree from the University of Melbourne, Alistair shares the lessons he learned on big commercial sites and why he ultimately moved into residential building for the client connection. We unpack Alistair’s path through construction management and working with larger builders, including Icon Construction, and how those early years shaped the systems and standards he now brings to Y Projects. This is a practical look at site management, trade coordination, and what it means to run a building business without losing the human side of the job. A big part of the conversation is the design process and budget reality. Alistair explains why a successful build is not just the final product, but the client experience along the way, and how small design upgrades can stack up fast. Clear communication, grounded expectations, and aligning design with budget are key to avoiding stress and cost blowouts. We also talk team culture, staff retention, and advice for apprentices and future builders. Alistair shares why curiosity and learning the “why” matters, plus his vision for making custom-designed, high-quality residential construction more accessible. 👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇 00:00 Podcast Welcome 02:59 Commercial Builder Lessons 05:32 Defects And Retrenchment 07:31 Mentorship Deep End 08:56 High End Homes Shift 11:21 Client Emotions Process 15:05 Onboarding Handover Systems 17:47 EBA Unions Explained 21:50 Starting Y Projects 22:25 Footscray Development Story 28:22 Y Projects Name Origin 29:34 Leaving Commercial For Townhomes 32:21 Flexibility for Family 33:10 Retention Through Realistic Timelines 34:08 Carpenters Hours and Value 35:24 Hiring for Team Fit 35:56 Positive Site Leadership 39:22 Frozen Yogurt Budget Trap 42:57 Precon Costs and Risk 45:28 Making Custom Homes Attainable 48:43 ECI Early Budget Alignment 51:34 Architect Retention Debate 54:04 Builder Network and Support 55:19 Advice for Apprentices 59:59 Wrap Up and Contact LINKS: Y Projects: https://yprojects.com.au/ Y Projects Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yprojects/ Our Sponsors: Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/ Mentioned in this episode: Proclima Sponsor

    1h 1m
  7. Bridging the construction and Real Estate gap

    MAR 8

    Bridging the construction and Real Estate gap

    “Architecture is not just drawings and pretty renders.” In this episode, we sit down with Roger from Borland Architecture to unpack the overlap between architecture, construction, and real estate, and why those worlds are far more connected than most people realise. This is a practical conversation about problem-solving, designing for real life, and making decisions that affect how people live every day. Roger shares his journey from Northwest Ireland to training in England, and how that hands-on background shaped his people-first approach to design. He describes his process as method acting, getting inside a client’s routines and priorities so the end result is not just an impressive plan, but a home that actually works. The kind of house that feels effortless to live in. We also talk about the gap between architectural education and real-world building outcomes, and why sustainability and practical thinking cannot be treated as optional extras. If we want energy-efficient homes, better building standards, and high performance design at scale, the industry needs training that reflects what actually happens on site. Finally, we dig into prefabricated high-performance homes and affordability through projects like StllHaus with Carbonlite, plus Roger’s take on real estate as a lever for better outcomes. We wrap with a Mindful Moment on AI in architecture, and why the human part of design is still the point. Listening, interpreting, and translating real needs into spaces that work. 👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇 00:00 Welcome 01:26 Meet Roger Borland 01:42 Farm Roots to Architecture 04:15 Architecture Training Path 05:08 Design as Method Acting 07:15 Is Architecture School Broken 10:03 Passive Solar Basics 16:44 Reading the Site Deeply 20:16 Sustainability Origins 31:47 StllHaus Prefab Vision 33:16 Build Timeline Iteration 34:12 Orientation Passive House Standards 34:46 Certification Optional Baseline 35:31 Volume Builder Partnership 37:24 Pricing Market Position 40:48 Designing Smaller Better Homes 41:47 Real Estate Design Concepts 54:03 Pre Purchase Site Analysis 58:30 Mindful Moment AI Future 01:02:06 Where To Find Roger LINKS: Borland Architecture: https://www.borlandarch.com.au/ Our Sponsors: Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/ Mentioned in this episode: Proclima Sponsor

    1h 4m
  8. Learning from previous developments and designing sustainably

    MAR 1

    Learning from previous developments and designing sustainably

    “Success looks great on social media. The reality is usually messier.” In this episode, we sit down with Liam Wallis, Founder and Managing Director of HIP V. HYPE, to talk about what sustainable development really looks like behind the highlight reel. Not just pretty renders and big announcements, but pressure, responsibility, and the constant work of improving systems so each project is better than the last. Liam shares why sustainable success is built through iteration, not perfection. Using ParkLife 2 as an example, we unpack how strategic planning, process improvement, and a long-term mindset help create high performance apartments that can scale without losing the values that matter. This is sustainable building that is practical, repeatable, and designed for real people. We also explore how lived experience shapes better design. From simple moves like bike storage on apartment levels to bigger performance goals like an eight and a half star NatHERS rating, Liam explains how energy efficiency, comfort, and lower running costs become tangible outcomes when you design for the long game. Better thermal performance. Smarter energy decisions. Homes that support people to live well. Finally, we talk about why experience is belief through the HV Hotel, and why community does not happen by accident. Liam breaks down the importance of community-centric design, feedback loops, and building places where residents feel connected and invested. We also touch on construction mental health, and why building better buildings means building better support systems for the people doing the work. 👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇 00:00 Introduction 01:38 Park Life Two Intro 10:13 Building In House Engineering 12:11 What Park Life Two Is 13:39 Lived Experience Design 16:44 Solar And Regulations 18:21 Electrification And Hot Water 23:03 NatHERS And Passive House 27:22 Design Versus Performance 29:18 HV Hotel Experience 33:59 Park Life Two Sales 36:43 Owner Occupiers Vs Investors 39:29 Collaborating With Builders 42:23 Tendering And Capability 44:08 Scaling Industry Capacity 44:56 Open Sites And Trade Schools 48:15 Parkside Project Vision 49:19 Mindful Moment Mental Health 52:51 Closing Reflections LINKS: Stay in HV Hotel: https://hipvhype.com/hotel ParkLife 2 Project: https://hipvhype.com/projects/parklife-2 Our Sponsors: Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod Connect with Hamish: Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/ Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/ Mentioned in this episode: Proclima Sponsor

    54 min
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About

Join Matt from Carland Constructions and Hamish from Sanctum Homes in a podcast discussing sustainable building practices and passive house concepts. They also talk to experts from all avenues of the building industry to share their knowledge and insights on what the industry looks like today. Further to this, Matt and Hamish are building a platform through the podcast to discuss mental health issues that arise in the building industry. The industry can be quite negative at times and there is a great deal of stigma around what it means to be a "tradie". Matt and Hamish are here to shine a light of positivity on the industry and share relatable topics that will help you in your own building or construction business.

Information

  • Creator
    Matthew Carland and Hamish White
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Matthew Carland and Hamish White
  • Show Website
    Mindful Builder

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