Get It Right With Undercover Architect

Hello! This is Episode 317, and if you’re yet to get started on your renovation or new build, or taking your very first steps, I know this is going to be super helpful for you. In it, you’re going to meet Louise and Zane. They are at the very beginning of their project: the renovation of a 100 year old Californian Bungalow in Melbourne. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/317] When I put the call out to HOME Method members about coming on the podcast, I also asked if members would like to come on to share their progress as it develops. And, that we would treat the podcast episode conversations as part sharing, part coaching.  So, what that means is they come on to the podcast to discuss their projects progress with me and share the things they’re doing, decisions they’re making, and challenges they’re having. And I offer suggestions, provide guidance and sometimes, just sometimes, deliver challenging feedback or reality chec

Hello! This is Episode 316, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with Hannah and Andy from Powerhaus Engineering about their app and its ability to help you make data driven decisions to improve the energy efficiency of your future home.  Including decisions that can save you tens of thousands of dollars and more! [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/316] If you haven’t listened to the first part of my conversation with them, be sure to head back to Episode 315. You’ll hear more about how the app works, what kind of information you need to use it, and how you can interact with it to access incredibly useful, climate and location specific data and intel to improve your design. Of course, one of the benefits of having access to this type of information, especially during the design phase, is that it can help you save serious money, and totally optimise WHAT you are spending your budget on in your project. And that’s how we

Hello! This is Episode 315, and in it, I’m sharing an incredible new way you’ll be able to access smart data to help you design a more energy efficient home.  [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/315] I’m really looking forward to sharing this episode and the next with you, as I introduce you to Hannah and Andy from Powerhaus Engineering.  Together, they’ve created an amazing app that enables homeowners, designers, builders and energy assessors to interrogate meaningful and relevant data in a home design and its energy modelling, and interact with it to see what will make measurable improvements. You can access and toggle through data that will help you understand what’s worth spending money on, and what really will make the difference. And you’ll be able to do this interactively, seeing what’s relevant to your project plans and climate, and understanding intimately what can truly impact the energy efficiency of your future r

Hello! This is Episode 314, and in it, we dive into the second half of my conversation with Clare about building her new, sustainable home, on the Fleurieu Coast in South Australia. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/314] If you haven’t listened to the first part of this conversation, I encourage you to go back and check out Episode 313. You’ll hear Clare share details about shaping her Design Brief, choosing her team, and the sustainable choices she prioritised as she navigated the pre-construction process. You can find all of that, as well as photos of her project, at www.undercoverarchitect.com/313. In this episode, you’ll hear more about Clare’s project, especially the construction process, and how she got selective about where she chose to hang out online, and what kind of information she generally digested during her project.  Clare also talks about her mindset, sharing a lot of great insights about how she supported

Hello! This is Episode 313, and in it, you’re going to meet Clare. In September, 2023, Clare finished building a new home. Working closely with her team, including a building designer and builder, and with HOME Method as her support and guide, she’s created a fantastic, sustainable home for herself and her family on the beautiful Fleurieu Coast, South Australia. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/313] In this episode and the next, Clare shares some amazing gems of know-how and insights into what’s really made the difference in her project.  She talks through finding and choosing her team, getting her design right, and the selections and decisions that she prioritised to stay on track to her vision and goals. It’s a fantastic and super informative conversation for anyone who is wanting to build or renovate their home in a sustainable way, and also in alignment with their personal values and priorities. Remember, if you’d lik

Hello! This is Episode 312, and in this episode, I continue my conversation with Caroline about her insights into the homeowner experience of building and renovating, and what makes the difference in a successful project. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/312] If you haven’t listened to the previous episode and the first part of my conversation with Caroline, I’d encourage you to head back to Episode 311 and do that now. You can listen to it or download the free transcript at www.undercoverarchitect.com/312. In the last episode, I introduced you to Caroline who has spent the past few years as a member inside our HOME Method community, as she navigated her Brisbane renovation. She shared her insights and experience, and what she did to feel confident and informed in her project, and enjoy the process overall. I also shared that since June 2023, Caroline has been on Team UA as our Community Support and Member Success Coordin

Hello! This is Episode 311, and in this episode and the next, it’s all about introductions and updates! And if you’re keen to hear from someone who has recently renovated their home and actually really enjoyed the experience, you’ll want to listen to this episode. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/311] Now, over the past year, we’ve had a fair few changes behind the scenes in Undercover Architect. And one of those changes involved hiring an incredible woman, Caroline, as our Community Support and Member Success Coordinator.  Caroline started on Team UA in early June, 2023, but as you’ll learn from this episode, Caroline has been inside the Undercover Architect community for a lot longer. That’s because Caroline actually did her own renovation as a HOME Method member prior to joining the UA team.  This episode is a great conversation all about how Caroline set herself up for success to have an enjoyable, rewarding renovatio

Hello! This is Episode 310, and in it, I’m going to take you through a way of thinking about the areas you need to focus on to help you have a great project and a great home. These are the three building blocks I believe make all the difference for you! [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/310] You can imagine that, in all the years I’ve been helping homeowners design, build and renovate their homes … in working with them as their architect,, and since 2014 inside Undercover Architect, I’ve had loads of people ask me questions along the lines of this: Hey Amelia - what do I really need to make this project work. To not waste money, to get it right in my home design, to know enough so I don’t get taken advantage of, to make the best decisions for the budget I have to spend, and to create a home that I’ll love living in? What do I need to do, to have, to be, to know to have a great project and create a great home? Or a question

Hello! This is Episode 309, and in it, I want to discuss a risk that is super common for anyone who is building or renovating. And it’s the risk of repeatedly experiencing the inability to make a decision. Otherwise what we call ‘analysis paralysis’. I call this a ‘YOU’ RISK, and it can be crippling in any project. Not only for you, as the person experiencing the inability to make a decision. But also for those around you and anyone who is impacted by your analysis paralysis.  [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/309] This can be your partner, your team, but also any friends or family members you regularly discuss your project with, and spend time with you going over and over the things you’re weighing up. As a reminder: YOU is one of my five factors that I believe threads through every decision and step in your project journey. The other four are COST, TIME, TEAM and DESIGN. When you’re spending this much money, and making c

Hello! This is Episode 308, and in it, I want to discuss a Design Risk I see that creates problems for you from the get-go, in terms of how your project begins, and then the way that the design process progresses overall. This is a DESIGN RISK that can mean you waste time and money in any design process. At its worst, it can mean you end up with the wrong home - a home that doesn’t suit you, your site, your budget or your lifestyle. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/308] As a reminder: DESIGN is one of my five factors that I believe threads through every decision and step in your project journey. The other four are COST, TIME, TEAM and YOU. It’s understandable to be super excited and want to dive into the design process, and get things going asap. Often, by the time you’ve selected your preferred design professional or company to work with, you’ve been thinking about your project, and imagining your future home, for a LONG

Hello! This is Episode 307, and in it, I’m going to be talking about a common and problematic risk when it comes to finding and working with your project team, be it your architect, designer, town planner, builder or other professional. This is a TEAM RISK that can actually derail projects, and cause a lot of stress and extra expense. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/307] Team is one of my five factors that threads through every decision and step in your project journey. The other four are COST, TIME, DESIGN and YOU. Renovating and building really is a team sport. And teamwork does make the dream work.  But believe it or not, you can get into trouble if you rely on your team too heavily, and look to them to have all the answers.  “But Amelia”, I hear you say … “Isn’t that the very reason I hire them? So that I can rely on them, and they can provide all the answers in my project?” Well, perhaps.  But you don’t want to do i

Hello! This is Episode 306, and in it, I’m going to be talking about a significant and influential project risk when it comes to finalising things with your chosen builder and moving into construction. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/306] This project risk I’ll be talking about is based on one of my five factors that impact every step and every decision in your project journey. What are those five factors? Well, they’re: COST, TIME, TEAM, DESIGN and YOU. In this episode, I’ll be sharing a major TIME RISK that can have a significant impact, and sometimes be truly devastating when building or renovating. Because if you don’t handle this well, you can be legally bound to a working relationship with your builder that can be financially challenging to navigate and super stressful, be the cause of budget and time blowouts, and be difficult and expensive to terminate. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this ep

Hello! This is Episode 305, and in it, I’m going to be talking about a significant and influential project risk I want to bring to your attention as someone planning, designing, building or renovating your future home. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/305] This project risk I’ll be talking about is based on one of my five factors that impact every step and every decision in your project journey. What are those five factors? Well, they’re: COST, TIME, TEAM, DESIGN and YOU. In this episode, I’ll be sharing a major COST RISK I see play out for people navigating their project. This is part of a new series of content I’ll be bringing to Undercover Architect generally, which I’ll explain more about as we dive into this episode.  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/305. Now, let’s dive in! SHOW

Hello! This is episode 304, and this is Part 2 of my conversation with Jenna Cohen from Honeycomb Access and Design. In Part 2 of my conversation, we jump straight into my question about Performance Solutions, which will be an approval pathway to familiarise yourself with in your project. 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/304] If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of the conversation, head back to Episode 303 and catch up, as this will make much more sense if you do! You can find that episode and a free downloadable transcript at www.undercoverarchitect.com/303. We start the episode with my question to Jenna about Performance Solutions.  It’s great to hear Jenna’s take on this process, and what she’s specifically seeing in how her clients are needing support and help in their projects with Performance Solutions. She also shares some speci

Hello! This is episode 303, and in it, I’m talking with Jenna Cohen, director of Honeycomb Access and Design. In this first part of my conversation with Jenna, you’ll learn more about the updates to the National Construction Code 2022 when it comes to accessible design and the Livable Housing Guidelines. 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/303] If you’re curious about what the changes are in regards to accessible design and Livable Housing Guidelines, I discussed these in more detail in Episode 286 at the beginning of this series on the NCC2022. In the conversations I’ve had with homeowners, I’ve heard frustration at these latest changes: that it feels like these are a bunch of requirements that aren’t relevant for them in their personal home.  However, it’s worth understanding upfront that “Livable” and “Accessible” are not one and the

Hello! This is Episode 302, and in it, I want to share with you the top five most downloaded 2023 podcast episodes on Undercover Architect’s podcast. There’s some great and varied topics in this top 5, and I’m really interested to see just how varied they are, and what you’re enjoying listening to. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/302] I’d kind of expected that there’d be a theme to the top listened episodes this past year, but there’s not at all! And interestingly it highlights just how varied the content is that’s been published on the podcast this year.  This is the 38th episode I’m publishing for the year, and we’ve had everything from green roofs, to magnesium oxide board and low carbon concrete, to tips when working with a volume builder or owner building, through to builders’ margins and of course, the updates to the National Construction Code. There’s so much to learn from - and that’s just the 2023 episodes. In t

Hello! This is Episode 301, and in it, I’m going to share with you what is being discussed in architecture for 2024. [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/301] As with any industry, there are loads of conversations that happen behind closed doors and, as someone who might be planning to build or renovate, it can be so useful to gain some insight into what’s being discussed, prioritised and cared about inside the industry, to see its potential impact on your plans and project. A lot of my conversation here will be a recap on the discussions and presentations that happened during the 2023 National Conference for the Australian Institute of Architects, held in early October, 2023 in Canberra. It was a really interesting time, and having attended these conferences since the late 1990s, I’m amazed to see how much the industry is shifting and changing, so I’ll talk a bit about that too. Now, let’s dive in! SHOW NOTES: If you’re str

Hello! This is Episode 300, and I have a lot to celebrate. So, in this episode, I’ll be catching you up on what’s been going on at UA HQ.   [For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/300] We’re taking a small break in our series on the National Construction Code updates so I can celebrate reaching this milestone of 300 episodes with you, and bring you up to speed on some of the latest news in Undercover Architect and for me personally. I can’t promise that it’ll be a logical flow of conversation, or much about building or renovating. There’s a bunch of things I want to chat with you about - so let’s see how it goes! 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/300. 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

Hello! This is episode 299, and it’s Part 2 of my conversation with Brian Guinan from I-Smart Building Group. Brian Guinan is a Passive House builder and the director of I-Smart Building Group, a residential building company based in Western Australia delivering high performance homes. 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/299] If you haven’t tuned in for Part 1 yet, head back to Episode 298 first so you can hear the first half of my conversation with Brian. You can access that at www.undercoverarchitect.com/298. In Part 2 of my conversation, Brian shares some great detail about how he’s streamlined the delivery of his Passive House and high performance homes, especially in the challenging and predominantly volume-built construction industry in Western Australia. He also shares his views on the National Construction Code 2022 changes, and

Hello! This is episode 298, and in it, I’m talking with Brian Guinan from I-Smart Building Group. Brian Guinan is a builder and the director of I-Smart Building Group, a company delivering High performance custom residential homes with a heavy focus on PassivHaus. 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/298] In this first part of my conversation with Brian, we learn more about his background, how he became an industry leader in sustainable building, how he got involved in Builders Declare and now Sustainable Builders Alliance. And he also talks through how he specifically achieves high performance building outcomes in an efficient and fast-tracked way. We also discuss the whole ‘passive solar vs passive house’ conversation that can happen in the sustainable sector of the industry. Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this ep