Swifts are among the most remarkable birds on Earth — they sleep on the wing, migrate thousands of miles, and return each year to nest in the same tiny holes in our buildings. But as we insulate, repoint, and renovate, those nesting sites are vanishing — and so are the birds.

This week, Jeffrey speaks with Hannah Bourne-Taylor — author, activist, and the powerhouse behind the campaign to mandate “swift bricks” in all new UK homes. From raising wild birds in Ghana to walking naked through Westminster with painted feathers, Hannah’s journey is as bold as it is heartfelt.

Full Show Notes: https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/blog/saving-swifts-a-brick-for-the-birds---hannah-bourne-taylor---show-notes/

• Support the early day motion (MP action)
• Find your local MP

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In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, we are joined by Chloe Donovan, founder of Natural Building Systems. She discuss the exciting potential of hemp and other bio-based materials in construction, how modular systems can reduce waste and speed up building, and the complexities of bringing sustainable solutions to market.

Topics covered:

• Chloe’s journey from the voluntary sector to sustainable construction
• The origins of Natural Building Systems and its mission
• Why hemp is such a powerful material for carbon capture and sustainability
• The challenges of making natural materials commercially viable
• How modular building systems can be reconfigured, adapted, and disassembled
• The future of digital manufacturing and sustainability in construction
• The balance between affordability and sustainability in housing

If you’re interested in how we can rethink construction for a more sustainable future, this is a must-listen episode!

Show Links

• Natural Building Systems Website - https://naturalbuildingsystems.com/
• Dr Mike Lawrence - https://www.uos.ac.uk/about/get-in-touch/people-directory/research/mike-lawrence/
• Back To Earth - https://www.backtoearth.co.uk/
• Liner Free paper airtightness tape - https://www.backtoearth.co.uk/product/liner-free-paper-airtightness-tape-ampacoll-easy/
• Hempen - https://www.hempen.co.uk/
• IndiNature - https://www.indinature.co/
• Centre for high carbon capture cropping (CHCx3) - https://www.carboncapturecropping.com/
• Installershow - https://www.installershow.com/

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In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Sigi Koko, founder of Down to Earth Design, to explore the world of natural renovations. Sigi shares her journey of blending sustainability and health into home retrofits, highlighting the transformative power of materials like clay and hemp in creating spaces that feel alive, healthy, and grounded.

We dive into:

• The challenges and creativity sparked by constraints in renovation projects.
• Why natural materials like clay plaster and hemp insulation are game-changers for indoor air quality, sound, and moisture control.
• The importance of reclaiming and reimagining our housing stock for a sustainable future.
• The emotional and sensory transformation of spaces through natural building techniques.
• The growing mainstream awareness of natural building methods and how to communicate their value effectively.

Whether you’re considering your own renovation, curious about natural materials, or looking for inspiration in sustainable design, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.

Show Links:

• Sigi's website - https://www.buildnaturally.com/
• Sigi's first Building Sustainability Episode - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/how-to-design-the-natural-home-of-your-dreams-sigi-koko-bs070/
• Jeffrey's Earthen Floor Company - https://www.theearthenfloorcompany.com/
• Will Stanwix - https://thathempcreteguy.com/
• The Earthen Floor book
• Hemptecture - https://www.hempitecture.com/
• Podcast Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/buildingsustainability
• Nettlecombe Craft School - https://www.nettlecombecraftschool.com/

Support the Podcast:

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and help spread the word about sustainable building!

Connect with me:

IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder

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In this episode of the Building Sustainability Podcast, Sigi Koko of Down to Earth Design shares her deeply personal journey of transforming a historic farmhouse into a fully natural, sustainable home. From retrofitting with hempcrete to creating stunning clay archways, Sigi discusses the challenges, surprises, and joys of renovating a home with natural materials.

We explore:

• The differences between renovation and retrofit—and why Sigi sees her project as the ultimate retrofit.
• Creative solutions for insulating, incorporating mass, and optimizing indoor air quality.
• The unique decision-making process required for retrofits, including balancing budget, structural concerns, and environmental impact.
• Why clay, hemp, and other natural materials are so transformative for homes and the people who inhabit them.
• Hosting workshops during a build to empower others in the natural building movement.

This episode is packed with practical advice, inspiring stories, and fascinating insights into natural building techniques that work for both new builds and retrofits.

Show Links:

• Sigi's website - https://www.buildnaturally.com/
• Jeffrey's Earthen Floor Company - https://www.theearthenfloorcompany.com/
• Sigi's first Building Sustainability Episode - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/how-to-design-the-natural-home-of-your-dreams-sigi-koko-bs070/
• Will Stanwix - https://thathempcreteguy.com/
• The Earthen Floor book
• Hemptecture - https://www.hempitecture.com/
• Podcast Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/buildingsustainability
• Nettlecombe Craft School - https://www.nettlecombecraftschool.com/

Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it with your friends, and help spread the word about sustainable building!

Connect with me:

IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder

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In this episode, we sit down with Becky Little, an artist, builder, and earth enthusiast, who shares her journey from traditional building to her deeply rooted, place-based art. Becky discusses her Orkney project, EarthBound Orkney, which draws on the land’s Neolithic history, combining locally sourced earth materials to create tactile art pieces that celebrate and reflect the landscape.

Becky explains the influence of geology and place on her work, touching on the ancient methods and materials she integrates, including soil samples, clay mortars, and stone. She explores the philosophy of call and response, as she adapts to the materials and surroundings in a practice that is as much about process as it is about the final product. Additionally, we delve into her fascination with seaweed, which she's woven into her art, embodying the transient nature of materials and place.

Beyond the technicalities of working with earth and natural materials, Becky speaks passionately about the narrative power of her art to connect viewers with the history and future of sustainable, local building practices. This episode captures the essence of art born from nature, sustainability, and an artist’s journey to discover deeper, timeless connections to the earth.

BS129 Links

• Rebearth - https://www.rebearth.co.uk/
• EBUKI Earthbound Orkney- https://www.ebuki.co/projects-1/earthbound-orkney
• Earthbound Orkney BOOK - https://www.orcadian.co.uk/shop/orkney-history/1520-earthbound-orkney.html
• Orcadian basin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orcadian_Basin
• Skara Brae - https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/skara-brae/overview/
• Ness of brodgar - https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/
• Maeshowe - https://www.orkneyology.com/maeshowe.html
• Daniel Podcast - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/historical-turf-construction-daniel-postma-/
• Art and Archaeology masters degree - https://archaeologyorkney.com/2023/07/24/art-archaeology-2023/
• Rowland Keable - https://rammedearthconsulting.com/
• Sand Talk - Tyson-Yunkaporta BOOK - https://assets.ikhnaie.link/click.html?wgcampaignid=1615880&wgprogramid=10671&wgtarget=https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Tyson-Yunkaporta/Sand-Talk--How-Indigenous-Thinking-Can-Save-the-World/29943931
• books donated by - https://www.instagram.com/steve_brown_ceramics?igsh=bWphNzQxeGFhb280

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In this episode, we dive into the ancient and evolving craft of earth building with Kate Edwards, a seasoned sculptor and passionate teacher. Join us as Kate shares her journey from art therapy to building with cob, a natural and age-old construction material. Discover how she turns humble mud into beautiful, sustainable homes, all while inspiring a global community to embrace this timeless technique. From working on historic restorations to teaching hands-on workshops, Kate’s stories blend the practical with the poetic. Whether you're a seasoned builder or simply curious about sustainable living, this episode is packed with insights on building with clay, creating lasting community connections, and the unexpected joy of getting your hands dirty.

Episode Links:

• Kate's Website - https://www.cobcourses.com/
• ACAN - https://www.architectscan.org/naturalmaterials
• https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/acan-natural-materials-presents-paint-whats-in-the-tin-tickets-1076970811689
• Cambridge cob model village - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-27668655
• BOOK Clay a human History - https://assets.ikhnaie.link/click.html?wgcampaignid=1615880&wgprogramid=10671&wgtarget=https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Jennifer-Lucy-Allan/Clay--A-Human-History/30048887
• Becky Little Episode - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/mud-the-ultimate-building-material-becky-little/

Connect with me:

IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Support this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability

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Join me in conversation with one of the founding members of Lammas Eco Village - Tao Wimbush.

Tao Paul Wimbush is the co-founder of the Lammas Ecovillage in West Wales. He has a wealth of experience in alternative communities across West Wales – including the anarchic Tipi Valley, and the farm community Brithdir Mawr. He has lived in tipis, yurts and roundhouses, and travelled by horse-drawn wagon. With a background in architecture and carpentry and a passion for social structures, his experience in alternative sustainable communities is unique and insightful. He has presented the internet TV series ‘Living in the Future’, and is author of the book ‘The Lammas Ecovillage’. Tao runs his private consultancy practice, helping people make the shift from mainstream to land-based lifestyles. He is an expert on One Planet Development and Off-grid Homesteading.

• Lammas Eco Village - https://lammas.org.uk/en/welcome-to-lammas/
• Lammas Earth Centre (Tao) - https://www.lammasearthcentre.co.uk/
• Off Grid Homesteading Club - https://www.lammasearthcentre.co.uk/off-grid-homesteading-club
• Tao's Book - The Lammas Ecovillage by Tao Paul Wimbush | 9781839457869
• Goodbye Horses https://www.goodbyehorses.london/
• Nettlecombe Craft School - https://www.nettlecombecraftschool.com/
• Wild Service Book (Nick Hayes) - https://assets.ikhnaie.link/click.html?wgcampaignid=1615880&wgprogramid=10671&wgtarget=https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Nick-Hayes/Wild-Service--Why-Nature-Needs-You/29981136
• Centre For Alternative Technology - https://cat.org.uk/
• One Planet Council - https://www.oneplanetcouncil.org.uk/
• Permaculture Design Certificate - https://www.permaculture.org.uk/education/permaculture-design-certificate-pdc
• Brithdir Mawr - https://brithdirmawr.co.uk/
• Tipi Valley - https://www.stemajourneys.com/tipi-valley
• 
  

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Tony and Faith wanted to live a simple low-impact life, so built a little roundhouse on some land in Wales. Little did they know that the lengthy resulting battle to stay in their home would be part of the beginning of the flagship One Planet Policy. We talk about building the roundhouse, filled with tips and learnings before discussing the legal battles with an incredibly inspiring tale.

Many thanks to Tony and Faith - Have a listen and let me know what you think!

Tony’s book - https://tinyurl.com/yr6erxvn

Tony’s website: https://www.thatroundhouse.info/

Episode Links

Lloyd Kahn Shelter Book - https://tinyurl.com/awm8cek6

Lloyd Khan Building Sustainability Episode - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/45-years-of-building-inspiration-lloyd-kahn/

Mandan house - https://www.nps.gov/places/mandan-hidatsa-arikara-tourism-earth-lodge-village.htm

Brithdir - https://brithdirmawr.co.uk/

Simon Fairlie - https://www.resilience.org/resilience-author/simon-fairlie/

https://www.ecos.org.uk/ecos-interviews-simon-fairlie/

Ben Law - https://ben-law.co.uk/

Kiko Denzer Building Sustainability Episode - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/earth-ovens-philosophies-and-stories-kiko-denzer/

Adrian Leaman Building Sustainability Podcast - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/guests/adrian-leaman/

Pomo Roundhouse - https://noehill.com/mendocino/nat1990001360.asp

One planet policy - https://oneplanet.com/about/one-planet-living-framework/

Chris Vernon One Planet Building Sustainability Episode - https://www.buildingsustainabilitypodcast.com/one-planet-development-chris-vernon/

Connect with me:

IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Support this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability

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The second part of my conversation with Janna. In this episode we get into the nitty gritty of airtightness, and how we've come to appreciate its need, while not being 100% happy about the materials needed to achieve it. We talk about the importance of fresh air in your building, how C02 will make us unhealthy and sluggish, plus the best way to get the fresh air without losing all your heat.

• Grain Architecture - https://www.grainarchitecture.co.uk/
• Architype - https://www.architype.co.uk/
• Llamacroft - https://www.llama-croft.com/
• Seb Twitter - https://twitter.com/SebLaanLomas
• CO2 Monitor - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/air-quality-monitors/2676379
• No more digging - https://nomoredigging.co.uk/
• Stop Digging - https://stopdigging.co.uk/
• Firth Construction - https://www.firthconstruction.co.uk/
• Centre for Alternative Technology CAT - https://cat.org.uk/
• IndiNature - https://www.indinature.co/
• Insulation Saw! - https://www.toolstation.com/bahco-insulation-handsaw/p97588
• John Gilbert Architecture - http://www.johngilbert.co.uk/
• 21 Degrees (windows) - https://www.weare21degrees.co.uk/

Connect with me:

IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Support this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability

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In this episode of the Building Sustainability podcast, I am excited to welcome back architect Janna Laan Lomas, who shares her journey of building a sustainable home in Herefordshire alongside her partner, Seb, and her parents. We discuss the unique multi-generational aspect of their project, the thoughtful design considerations that have shaped their vision, and the innovative construction methods they are using, such as screw pile foundations and timber frames filled with cellulose insulation. Janna emphasises the importance of minimising embodied carbon, reusing materials, and creating a home that is both functional and environmentally friendly. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the practicalities of sustainable architecture and the emotional journey of turning a lifelong dream into reality!

• Grain Architecture - https://www.grainarchitecture.co.uk/
• Architype - https://www.architype.co.uk/
• Llamacroft - https://www.llama-croft.com/
• Seb Twitter - https://twitter.com/SebLaanLomas
• CO2 monitor - https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/air-quality-monitors/2676379
• No more digging - https://nomoredigging.co.uk/
• Stop Digging - https://stopdigging.co.uk/
• Firth Construction - https://www.firthconstruction.co.uk/
• Centre for Alternative Technology CAT - https://cat.org.uk/
• IndiNature - https://www.indinature.co/
• Insulation Saw! - https://www.toolstation.com/bahco-insulation-handsaw/p97588
• John Gilbert Architecture - http://www.johngilbert.co.uk/
• 21 Degrees (windows) - https://www.weare21degrees.co.uk/

Connect with me:

IG - @jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Facebook - Jeffreythenaturalbuilder

Support this podcast - https://www.patreon.com/buildingsustainability

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A bonus episode with Archeologist Caroline Nicolay.

The conversation explores building sustainable structures with chalk and earth materials, sharing experiences with chalk as a construction material and unique techniques like milk and cheese curd floors. The dialogue dives into experimentation with lime washes, thatching roofs with bracken, and the traditional practice of thatching within communities.

They also touch on the circular evolution of housing practices and the symbolism of spoons in historical contexts. Topics include community involvement in thatching projects, the reuse of materials in buildings, and the layers of history created in landscapes through generations.

Episode links

• Caroline's website - https://www.pariogallico.com/
• Clayfest - https://www.ebuki.co/events/clayfest-2024
• Nettlecombe Craft School - https://www.nettlecombecraftschool.com/

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