The Building Sciology Poddie

Jess Kismet
  • 5.0 (1)
  • NATURAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

I help builders, architects and home owners create the most comfortable, healthy buildings possible. When you know better, you can do better.

  1. #29 - Reimagining Buildings: Passive House, Craftsmanship & the Future of Construction

    FEB 1

    #29 - Reimagining Buildings: Passive House, Craftsmanship & the Future of Construction

    Join me as I chat with Matthew Cutler and Zach Semke about Passive House, high-performance buildings, and why building health matters more than ever. We explore the connection between design and wellbeing, the role of community in driving industry change, and the untapped opportunities within construction to deliver healthier, more resilient buildings. From craftsmanship and air quality to education, collaboration, and climate resilience, this episode offers practical insights for anyone shaping the future of the built environment. See show notes for more info Instagram Building Sciology Climasure Enduro Builders

    1h 7m
  2. #28 - Part 2 | Pretty Isn’t Enough: Building Physics That Actually Matter with Michael Kingsland

    JAN 25

    #28 - Part 2 | Pretty Isn’t Enough: Building Physics That Actually Matter with Michael Kingsland

    In part 2 of my conversation with Michael Kingsland, we continue our discussion on the critical role of ventilation systems in energy-efficient buildings, focusing on the importance of proper installation and the misconceptions surrounding heat and energy recovery systems. We chat about the challenges of maintaining air quality and preventing mould in high-performance buildings, emphasising the need for a balanced approach to insulation and vapour control. Michael shares his insights with me on the evolution of building practices in Australia and the necessity of addressing energy efficiency without compromising structural integrity. Useful Links ⁠Laros website⁠ A little info o the 1/3 2/3 rule SIP Framing | What You Need To Know Before You Build... - ASIRI Design Social Media - Follow here ⁠Building Sciology⁠ ⁠ Sponsors ⁠Climasure⁠ ⁠Enduro Builders⁠ ⁠Sign up to the Building Sciology Mailing list here! Show notes can be found here

    27 min
  3. #28 - Part 1 | Pretty Isn’t Enough: Building Physics That Actually Matter with Michael Kingsland

    JAN 18

    #28 - Part 1 | Pretty Isn’t Enough: Building Physics That Actually Matter with Michael Kingsland

    In this conversation, I interview Michael Kingsland from Laros Technologies, exploring the evolution of the company from its solar roots to its current focus on high-performance building solutions. We discuss the importance of sustainable timber sourcing, the principles of Passive House, and the critical role of air tightness and moisture management in construction. Michael emphasizes the differences between HRV and ERV ventilation systems, the need to balance budget constraints with essential building performance elements, and the common mistakes made in construction that can lead to significant long-term issues. Our discussion also highlights the Aqua Tower case study as a cautionary tale about thermal bridging and the importance of considering building physics in design. Useful Links Laros website Aqua Tower Chicago - Buildingscience.com Sustainable House Day Mouldy frames in Adelaide Social Media - Follow here Building Sciology Sponsors Climasure Enduro Builders Sign up to the Building Sciology Mailing list here! Show notes can be found here

    57 min
  4. #27 - Waterproofing Fails, Compliance Gaps & the Accountability Problem with Jake Turner

    JAN 4

    #27 - Waterproofing Fails, Compliance Gaps & the Accountability Problem with Jake Turner

    In this conversation, I speak with Jake Turner, a tradie turned building surveyor and founder of JT Certification Services. We discuss Jake's journey in the construction industry, the importance of quality control, and the challenges faced in building compliance and regulations. Jake emphasises the need for better education and communication within the industry, as well as the significance of energy efficiency in building performance. The conversation highlights the role of private certifiers in streamlining processes and the necessity for collaboration among builders and certifiers to improve outcomes. Useful links JT Certification Services - Mount Gambier - website Robe Passive House- Instagram Sean Maxwell - ATTMA Aus and NZ Scheme Manager - W: https://www.bcta.group/attma/attma-anz/  E: sean.maxwell@attma.org What does a building surveyor do? - “The report found building surveyors were more than seven times more likely to have their registrations cancelled than any other class of building practitioner.” Mouldy frames in Adelaide - Instagram post Australian College of Environmental Studies - do you want to become a building biologist? What is NatHERS SA’s building code paused for 10 years National Building Code Pause until 2029 The TikTok Inspector - TikTok account Shine Hub - smart affordable solar and battery solutions Social Media Links Building Sciology Cimasure (sponsor) Enduro Builders (sponsor) Show notes can be found here

    1h 12m
  5. #26 - From Materials to Mindset: How Architecture Shapes Human Health with Pippa Lee

    12/21/2025

    #26 - From Materials to Mindset: How Architecture Shapes Human Health with Pippa Lee

    In this final episode of the Building Sciology Poddie for 2025, I had a great chat with architect and healthy home expert Pippa Lee of Haven Designed Healthy Homes. We discussed the importance of designing homes that support health and wellbeing, the impact of indoor environments on health, and practical tips for builders to create healthier spaces. Pippa shares her journey in architecture, her experiences in New York, and the significance of using non-toxic materials. We also explore the WELL Building Standard and the importance of water quality and filtration in homes. I hopoe you enjoy and please leave a 5 star review and follow along if you enjoyed the content. Cheers! Useful Links Zara D’Cotta - Healthy Materials Master Mind CIRS Explained Purchase an ERMI test - $459 - $500 Understanding the WELL Building Standard WELL Standard - Residential Green Star Homes Roadmap to becoming a WELL AP Waters Co Ace Bio+ jug Well Verti shower filter Natural v Synthetic furniture - how fast they burn Social Media Links Building Sciology Instagram Climasure Instagram Enduro Builders Facebook Show notes can be found here

    54 min
  6. #25 - Navigating Building Codes: Lessons from New Zealand and Canada with Pete Raimondo and Shawn McIsaac

    12/14/2025

    #25 - Navigating Building Codes: Lessons from New Zealand and Canada with Pete Raimondo and Shawn McIsaac

    In this episode, I chat with Shawn McIsaac and Peter Raimondo, of Oculus, to discuss building science, energy efficiency, and the challenges of modern construction. They explore the importance of airtightness, the risks of condensation, and the evolving building codes in New Zealand and Canada. The conversation highlights the need for collaboration between architects and builders, the role of government incentives, and the future of high-performance building. Useful links Oculus Engineering website - podcast information Oculous Engineering - You Tube Channel Oculus Engineering instagram Retrofit post Victorian Gov insulation scheme 2025 Botched insulation scheme - BBC BRANZ - “Roof space moisture - it’s complicated” Aussie warm roof v European warm roof Parka Wrap- external insulation system Mouldy townhouses in Adelaide - instagram post Scoping Study into Condensation - has building code recommendations for 2019/2022/2025 Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings - DCCEEW Building Sciology Climasure Enduro Builders Show notes can be found here

    1h 21m
  7. #24 - Is This Australia’s Leaky Building Crisis? What Victoria’s Failures Reveal with Chris Crewther MP and Kerry Ould

    11/23/2025

    #24 - Is This Australia’s Leaky Building Crisis? What Victoria’s Failures Reveal with Chris Crewther MP and Kerry Ould

    In this episode of The Building Sciology Poddie, I, Jess Kismet, discuss the ongoing building crisis in Victoria with guests Kerry Auld and Chris Crewther MP. They explore the failures of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA), the impact of combustible cladding, and the struggles faced by homeowners. The conversation delves into the need for accountability in the building industry, recent legislative changes, and the establishment of the new Building and Plumbing Commission. The episode emphasises the importance of consumer protection and learning from past mistakes to prevent future crises. Useful Links Article read in the introduction - Horror $9m early Christmas present for 33 apartment owners What is the Leaky Building Crisis - NZ? Rottenomics - The Story of New Zealand’s Leaky Buildings Disaster - buy on Amazon Articles relevant to this interview The Age - 20th February 20199 News - 20th February, 2019The Project - 12th March, 2019The Age - 15th October, 2019Chris Crewther MP - statement to Parliament 10th December 2024Frankston Cladding - 9 News FacebookSix-year-old apartment block full of leaks, cracks, mould Builders to blame for bad cladding will now be chased through courtsCombustible cladding removal costs and uncertainties causing anxiety in building owners - ABC News'We can’t afford this': Home owners bear brunt of cladding crisisApartment owners fear for 'suicidal' neighbours as combustible cladding crisis takes its toll$500 bill final nail in the coffin for struggling homeownerCladding Crisis - The ProjectDay two and still no answer from the Minister for Planning.Fed up Frankston South home owners are pleading for help to fix their apartment building wrapped in dangerous combustible cladding.Chris Crewther MP - Again in Parliament I urged the Labor Government’s Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny to support the desperate residentsHome owners left high and dry while their building crumbles around themSocial Media Links Building Sciology - Better Buildings to Live and Breathe In Climasure - Better Buildings and Peace of Mind Enduro Builders - We build award winning high performing, energy efficient and Passivhaus homes Visit the website for a full transcript

    46 min
  8. #23 - A Dialogue with Dr Wolfgang Feist, Founder of The Passive House Institute

    11/09/2025

    #23 - A Dialogue with Dr Wolfgang Feist, Founder of The Passive House Institute

    In this episode, Dr. Wolfgang Feist ,founder of the Passive House Institute, joins me Jess Kismet to unpack why the Passive House standard continues to spark debate across the building world. Why does a building standard evoke such passion, loyalty, and even resistance? We explore how innovation in architecture and building science is often misunderstood, and why new ideas, like Passive House, can feel revolutionary to some and incremental to others. Wolfgang draws parallels to historical, scientific breakthroughs, reminding us that progress doesn’t always mean reinvention. From the importance of critical thinking in evaluating standards to the human tendency to defend familiar ways of building, this episode takes a thoughtful look at how emotion, history, and science intersect in the pursuit of better buildings. Useful Links What is Passive House Who is Dr Wolfgang Feist? Who is Fridtjof Nansen? Bo Adamon - Lund University - Co-creator of Passive House The World's First Passive House - Darmstadt - Kranichstein, Germany Who is Amory Lovins? Who is Kara Rosemeier Who is Ole Fanger The Camel - a living air conditioner Social Media Links Building Sciology Instagram Enduro Builders Instagram Climasure Instagram Show notes can be found here

    1h 20m
See All (31)

Trailer

About

I help builders, architects and home owners create the most comfortable, healthy buildings possible. When you know better, you can do better.

Information

You Might Also Like