Building Insights

Hosted by netMAGmedia

Business

Website RSS feed

Episodes

109

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-GB

About the show

netMAGmedia, which publishes a range of titles for the construction sector, presents the Building Insights podcast, which speaks to key voices from across the industry. Engaging with thought leaders from the worlds of design, construction, development, self-build and social housing management, Building Insights will provide an array of enlightening and unique viewpoints from a wide range of experts.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 24, 2026Episode 10041 min

#100th Episode! Licensed to build great Passivhaus homes

Appropriately, five years from our first episode (Sarah Lewis, research and policy director at the Passivhaus Trust) we return to the subject of Passivhaus in action for our 100th edition. Dan Levey is a certified Passivhaus housebuilder who has embraced the concept with clients in Hastings and beyond at Serenity Projects. He explains to James Parker how the inherent rigour and attention to detail aligns with his long-held aim to create resilient, comfortable homes that will last over the decades, and why Passivhaus works for retrofit as well as new build.

August 17, 2026Episode 9947 min

#99: Why We Need to Transform Construction

Construction polymath Sam Stacey (his CV ranges from key roles at Buro Happold, Wates and Skanska to running the Theresa May Government’s Transforming Construction Challenge) is on a mission to change the sector’s culture. He spoke to James Parker how his experience has led him to reflect on why the 20th century failed to repeat the Victorians’ successes, and how standardisation and digital collaboration could enable a better, and more exciting data-powered construction future.

August 10, 2026Episode 9828 min

#98: Decent Flooring for Decent Homes

James Parker presents the highlights of a recent Building Insights LIVE round table, in association with Beauflor, which looked at why flooring had been neglected in the Decent Homes Standard, but how the social housing sector is stepping up to meet the challenge. With a host of key benefits, from comfort to safety, flooring is crucial, but it is often not seen as a priority. Featuring leading housing associations, this round table found out why sustainable vinyl flooring provides the answers. Audio Quality Notice Please note that the audio quality in this episode may vary. To maintain a comfortable environment during the heatwave, we kept the air conditioning running throughout the recording. While we've done our best to minimise its impact on the audio, some background noise may still be noticeable. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope you enjoy the episode.

August 3, 2026Episode 9739 min

#97: Approaches to Mitigating Overheating

In association with Caribbean Blinds, James Parker, editor of Architects Datafile and Housebuilder and Developer, speaks to two solar shading experts in a very timely Ask the Expert podcast, as the UK faces unprecedented heat waves. Zoe De Grussa is head of technical and scientific affairs at the blinds and shutters association BBSA, and Stuart Dantzic is managing director of Caribbean Blinds. They answer key questions on the solutions to a growing overheating crisis in our homes and workplaces, particularly focusing on the lack of regulatory drivers in retrofit.

July 29, 2026Episode 9628 min

#96: Delivering Cost-Effective Passivhaus Projects at Scale in the Commercial & Residential Sectors

Passivhaus currently accounts for only around 2% of new build housing in the UK, but is acknowledged as the ultimate route to provide economic as well as climate resilience for homeowners, tenants, and workers. James Parker presents highlights from a recent Building Insights LIVE round table – sponsored by Ubbink, Aeroseal UK and Technal – which delved into how Passivhaus at scale can be delivered cost-effectively across the industry. Audio Quality Notice Please note that the audio quality in this episode may vary. To maintain a comfortable environment during the heatwave, we kept the air conditioning running throughout the recording. While we've done our best to minimise its impact on the audio, some background noise may still be noticeable. Thank you for your understanding, and we hope you enjoy the episode.

July 21, 2026Episode 9521 min

#95: Unlocking MMC & Offsite in Residential Developments

Editor of Housebuilder & Developer, James Parker, reports on the recent Building Insights LIVE round table on how the housebuilding sector can harness Modern Methods of Construction to achieve build targets and solve skills and performance challenges. Sponsored by Medite Smartply and Ibstock Brick, the event’s highlight recommendations summarise some of the key takeaways for the sector.

July 13, 2026Episode 9446 min

#94: Ask the Experts – Mark Gillies, Ken Graham, and Andrew Taylor of Burdens

Ask the Expert, in association with Burdens – James Parker, managing editor of Housebuilder & Developer speaks to the firm’s Director of Technical Solutions, Mark Gillies, National Sales Director Ken Graham, and Technical Sales Manager Andrew Taylor. They reveal the firm’s expertise on providing tailored stormwater management solutions for sites, which is becoming more critical as climate change and development leads to more extreme weather events. But also, how creating attractive above-ground SuDS could be the silver bullet to help new housing schemes bring biodiversity, and provide sales differentiation for developers.

June 15, 2026Episode 9323 min

#93: Ask the Expert – Jake Fitness of Self-Build Zone

Ask The Expert: James Parker speaks to Jake Fitness of the Self-Build Zone, about the importance of taking site insurance issues into consideration as well as structural warranties. And how it brings not just essential peace of mind against issues like theft and safety, but helping offset impacts on your build when builders let you down.

June 8, 2026Episode 9227 min

#92: The Power of 'Built In' Building Control Expertise for Architects

James Parker speaks to Georgina Mullen, director at international architectural practice Hyphen. He learns how her experience in major retail and other projects in Ireland has armed her with the knowledge on increasingly rigorous Building Control approaches, to preempt compliance issues at the front end.

June 1, 2026Episode 9136 min

#91: Ask the Expert – Jonathan Lowy of VM Zinc

An Ask the Expert episode, in association with VM Building Solutions. James Parker speaks to Jonathan Lowy, Operational Marketing Manager, to discover how the use of zinc on facades and roofs has evolved in UK architects’ consciousness, the material variants that are catching their eyes, and how cost needs to be factored in with long-term durability.