A couple of years ago, we weren't sure if a podcast focused on thoughtful, evidence-based building would resonate with Australia's construction community. Turns out, builders, architects, and clients were hungry for exactly this kind of conversation - real talk about what works, what doesn't, mental health challenges, and how to navigate the shifting landscape of codes, client expectations, and new technologies.

This year's conversations revealed clear themes: passive house principles are entering everyday builder vocabulary, communication between teams makes or breaks projects, and learning new techniques while unlearning old habits is essential for industry evolution.

The Mindful Builder community proved that Australia's building industry is ready for deeper conversations about construction quality, performance, and collaboration. Here's to another year of building better, together - with honest conversations, practical insights, and a community committed to raising standards across Australian construction.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Introduction and Reflections on 2025

01:55 Sponsorship and Future Plans

04:51 Personal and Professional Wins

06:35 Challenges and Learnings

13:09 Looking Ahead to 2026

16:51 Industry Trends and Predictions

22:25 Upcoming Events and Series

24:49 Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes

LINKS:

Connect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpod

Connect with Hamish:

Instagram: @sanctumhomes

Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

Connect with Matt:

Instagram: @carlandconstructions

Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

"Architects design things we can't actually build."

We sat down with Saxon Hall, Principal Architect at Align Architecture, to tackle the age-old tension between architects and builders. Saxon's unique perspective as a carpenter's son gives him insight into both sides of this divide.

In this episode, we explore why communication breaks down between architects and builders, and more importantly, how to fix it. Saxon shares his 'Align Build Collaboration' method that brings builders into projects from day one, the debate around tender vs negotiated contracts, and why energy-efficient design doesn't have to sacrifice aesthetics.

Saxon's diverse experience across residential, heritage, and sustainable projects proves that when architects understand building practicalities and builders appreciate design intent, everyone wins.

Key topics:

• Why early builder involvement saves headaches

• Tender processes vs negotiated contracts

• The poetic nature of architecture meets practical building

• Climate-adapted, sustainable design solutions

• Balancing collaboration with contractual obligations

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Introduction and Saxon's Background

01:52 Unique Projects in Tasmania

04:13 Path to Architecture

05:54 Builder-Architect Relationship

07:57 Early Contractor Involvement

09:30 Negotiated vs. Tender Contracts

16:03 Cost Estimation Challenges

30:13 Understanding Builder Transparency

31:45 The Importance of Real-Time Costing

33:47 Educating the Broader Community

34:08 Passive House Design Challenges

36:57 The Poetic Nature of Architecture

42:10 Collaborative Construction Processes

47:53 Balancing Tradition and Innovation

53:20 Engaging with Align Build

LINKS:

Align Build:

https://align.build/

Connect with us on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/themindfulbuilderpod/

Connect with Hamish:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanctumhomes/

Website: www.yoursanctum.com.au/

Connect with Matt:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/carlandconstructions/

Website: www.carlandconstructions.com/

The conversation delves into the mould issues arising in bushfire zones, exploring how sealed environments contribute to the problem and the ongoing search for evidence to address these challenges.

takeaways

• The mould issue in roof spaces began in bushfire zones.
• Sealing buildings to prevent embers can lead to mould problems.
• Cold, bushy areas are particularly susceptible to mould.
• There is a need for more evidence regarding mould issues.
• Sealed environments create significant risks for mould buildup.
• Using tools like Wufi can reveal disastrous conditions.
• Building practices need to be reconsidered in bushfire zones.
• Health risks associated with mould are a growing concern.
• Awareness of mould issues is still limited among the public.
• Addressing mould requires a collaborative effort among experts.