Get It Right with Undercover Architect

Hello! This is Episode 402. This is Way #2 of the 44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home series.
In Episode 401 we covered orientation, and understanding how the sun moves across your site and how positioning your home to work with that movement can transform its comfort, help it feel amazing to live in day-to-day, and reduce its energy use and requirements for artificial heating and cooling.
In this Episode, we are covering another natural asset that is freely available on your site, and that’s breezes.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/402]
Natural ventilation can be one of the most effective, lowest-cost strategies for keeping a home comfortable. And like orientation, it works best when it is designed in from the beginning, because the floor plan layout, window types, and building form all determine how well a home is able to ventilate naturally.
In this episode, I’ll take you through why breezes matter so much for both comfort and sustainability, how to understand the specific wind patterns on your site, how to design your home to capture prevailing breezes, and how to protect it from the harsher wind events that may also occur.
As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/402.
Now, let's dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/402
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. It will give you an overview of what we’ll be covering in this podcast series. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature 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.

Hello! This is Episode 401. And we are beginning something on the podcast that I’m really looking forward to sharing with you, especially if you’re wanting to build or renovate in a more sustainable way, but feeling curious, confused or even overwhelmed about what that might mean.
This is the first episode of a podcast series called ‘44 Ways to Create Your Sustainable Home’. It’s inspired by my free e-guide of the same name, but in this series here on the podcast, I want to take some time to dive into more detail, actions you can take and ways you can apply this in your new build or renovation project, wherever you’re located.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/401]
And the first ‘way’ I’m kicking off with is, for me, what I believe is the single most impactful decision you will make for your home’s sustainability and comfort.
In over 30 years in this industry designing residential homes, I believe this way is also available to every one and every project, but only if you know and think about it early and embed it into your project’s design from the start.
It’s where I’ve always started my projects, it’s where I teach my HOME Method members to start their home design, whoever they’re working with, and its significance cannot be overstated in how much it can improve the sustainability, functionality, feel and performance of your home overall.
We are talking about designing for your site’s orientation. This is about knowing how your existing or new home is or will be positioned on your site or block of land, and how its overall layout is designed to respond to the movement of the sun across your land.
All so you can keep your home cool in Summer and warm in Winter, without it costing a fortune in energy bills and artificial heating and cooling, whilst feeling fantastic to be in.
In this episode, I take you through what orientation actually means in practical terms, why it belongs at the very top of any sustainability strategy, how to think about the sun’s movement for your site, and how to apply these principles in your project, whether you’re building new or renovating an existing home.
As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/401.
Now, let's dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/401
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. It will give you an overview of what we’ll be covering in this podcast series. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my signature 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.

Hello! This is Episode 400 - can you believe it? How exciting! And so I want to take the opportunity to celebrate a little, and share something a little different in this episode.
Whilst we’ve done more than 400 actual episodes on the podcast, I do believe that hitting Episode 400 officially is a big milestone. That’s over four hundred conversations. Me talking directly to you. Me talking with homeowners at every stage of every kind of project. Talking with architects and designers and builders and specialist consultants and industry professionals of every description.
So today I'm not here to teach you a framework or walk you through a process or have a conversation highlighting a specific subject matter. I want to do something a bit different, which is share what I believe I’ve seen over those 400+ conversations, in the hope you find it super helpful, especially if you’re just starting out on your project journey.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/400]
My experience as the architect behind Undercover Architect uniquely places me with a front row seat to far more projects and homeowners than being an architect working 1:1 with clients ever did. It’s enabled me to be involved in projects, in homeowners’ thoughts, hopes and fears at a scale I really never anticipated when I started Undercover Architect back in mid 2014.
Being your secret ally in Undercover Architect means you share a lot more with me than when I was simply Amelia Lee, the architect working 1:1 with clients.
Additionally, my involvement with builders, architects and designers both in Australia and across the world, and the networks I’ve built also with other industry professionals, suppliers and manufacturers, provides me with insights and an intimate understanding of what you, as a homeowner, are really contending with out there as you navigate your projects.
The great, the good, the bad and the ugly.
And so, with that in mind, I’d love you to consider this Episode the conversation I wish someone had with every homeowner before they started their journey of building or renovating.
As always, if you'd like to access a full transcript of this episode and links to any resources I mention, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/400.
Now, let’s dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/400
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways
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.

Hello! This is Episode 399, and in it, I’m continuing my conversation with HOME Method members Jan and Landon, who are building a new home and granny flat as a Passive House in Sydney’s north.
As a reminder: Jan and Landon are building on a site that has been in Landon’s family for over 70 years.
Their new build project has been driven by clear goals around ageing in place, sustainability and lifestyle alignment, and they’ve worked collaboratively with their architect and builder throughout their project, involving their builder during pre-construction as well.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/399]
This is Part 2 of the conversation you heard in Episode 398, so if you haven’t listened, you’ll find it at www.undercoverarchitect.com/398.
And if you’re new to their story, I’d really encourage you to start at the beginning, because following their journey from the very first episode makes this one even more meaningful. We’ll pop all the links you need in the resources for this episode.
In the last episode, we heard all about their construction progress, and how their builder’s prefab wall cassette system put the entire shell of their home up in just five days.
In this episode, we kick off the conversation with a reflection on something that’s been really striking to witness, and that’s the sense of calm and confidence Jan and Landon have brought to this project. I ask them directly how they’ve arrived at that place, and what’s helped them trust their own decisions, even when those around them expected them to feel anxious.
We talk about where they’re up to with their interior selections. This can be a stage that trips up a lot of homeowners, however Jan has taken a really thoughtful approach here, and it’s a wonderful example of knowing when to wait for more information before committing to a decision.
We also cover the delightful surprises that construction has brought, the beautiful relationships that have formed with their architect and builder along the way, and I ask Jan and Landon what they are most proud of, and the advice they’d give to anyone who is right at the beginning of their own project journey.
If you haven’t heard the previous instalments of Jan and Landon’s story, you can find them at www.undercoverarchitect.com/338, www.undercoverarchitect.com/339, www.undercoverarchitect.com/367 and www.undercoverarchitect.com/368.
Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/399.
Now, let’s dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/399
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/ways
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when designing, renovating or building your future home inside my signature online program, HOME Method >>> 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.

Hello! This is Episode 398, and in it, I’m speaking with HOME Method members Jan and Landon, who are back to share an incredibly exciting construction update on their passive house new build in Sydney’s north.
This is the fifth instalment of Jan and Landon’s journey on the podcast. They’ve been sharing their story with us across Episodes 338, 339, 367 and 368, and if you haven’t heard those yet, I’d really recommend starting there to get the full picture of how this project has come together.
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/398]
As a quick recap: Jan and Landon are building a new home and granny flat as a Passive House in Sydney’s north, on a site that has been in Landon’s family for over 70 years.
They’re both in their 70s and are building with very clear goals, to age in place well, to live sustainably, and to create a home that’s deeply aligned with their values and lifestyle.
As retired teachers, they’ve brought a wonderful learning mindset to this project. They joined HOME Method in January 2024 and have used it as a real foundation for their preparation and decision-making all the way through.
When we last caught up in Episodes 367 and 368, the project was well into design and the early stages of construction.
Now, things have moved very quickly, and the home is actually taking shape before their eyes.
Jan and Landon are living on the neighbouring lot to their construction site, so they can quite literally look out the window and watch their home going up.
One of the most compelling parts of this episode is hearing about the prefabricated wall cassette system their builder uses, and what that’s looked like in practice on site. In earlier episodes, we introduced this system in concept.
Jan and Landon walk us through the reality of it: visiting the panels being built in the factory, seeing the manufacturing drawings that translate the architect’s plans into something that can be precision-built offsite, and watching the entire shell of the house go up in just five days with a crane and a dedicated team.
It’s a fascinating, real-world account of what this construction methodology involves, and of how the precision and accuracy embedded in every stage of that process directly supports their passive house goals.
Plus, they share loads more helpful insights I know you’ll find super helpful for your project.
If you haven’t heard the previous instalments of Jan and Landon’s story, you can find them at www.undercoverarchitect.com/338, www.undercoverarchitect.com/339, www.undercoverarchitect.com/367 and www.undercoverarchitect.com/368.
Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/398.
Now, let’s dive in!
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/398
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/ways
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when designing, renovating or building your future home inside my signature online program, HOME Method >>> 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.