Building a healthy home is certainly possible with updates to the National Construction Code.

But you need to be aware of the considerations required when working with your team and choosing the right products and construction methods.

Learn more in this conversation with Building Biologist, Zara D’Cotta from The Healthy Home.

This episode is part of a special series on the National Construction Code, and NCC 2022.

Listen to the episode now.

Hello! This is episode 288, and in it, I’m sharing Part 2 of my conversation with Building Biologist, Zara D’Cotta, from The Healthy Home. 

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 of my conversation with Zara in Episode 287, head back there now to catch up, as this episode will make a lot more sense to you then! You can find it by heading to Episode 287.

Is mould and damp really that big a problem in our homes?

Well, we’re seeing growing awareness of just how much of a problem it can be. And the World Health Organisation has advised, in their latest Housing and Health Guidelines, that dampness and mould-related problems should be prevented or treated early as there is no safe level of exposure. 

Gone are the days of timber frames sitting out in the elements getting drenched, and then them just getting clad and lined without drying out fully or inspecting to ensure that future problems won’t occur. 

This is a risk the industry needs to manage proactively, and I’m actually really excited that you, as the homeowner, are able to hear ways that this can be done during design and construction, and what to particularly discuss with your builder on your project.

Listen to this conversation as I talk more with Zara about the effects of household mould and damp, and design elements and material choices around the home that can have an impact on our health.

Now, let’s dive in!

Before we jump into Part 2, let me remind you a little about building biologist, Zara D’Cotta from The Healthy Home.

Zara provides consultancy services and online courses and packages to empower homeowners, builders, architects and designers to choose the right materials to design, build and create a healthy home. 

She has credentials from the Australian College of Environmental Studies, Building Biology Institute in Santa FE, U.S.A and in Natural Healthy Buildings with the International Institute for Building Biology & Ecology.

Zara has a special interest in healthy building materials and healthy new home design. Like so many things in home building, she believes success in achieving a healthy home starts early in the design phase.

And if you’ve spent any time with me here at Undercover Architect, you’ll know I talk about that a lot as well!

We kick off Part 2 of my conversation with Zara as I ask her about what she’s specifically teaching those in the industry about mould, condensation and building healthier homes.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

RESOURCES: 

Please note, the links to some of these pages may be out of date or superseded as the NCC2022 adoption occurs, or (later) the NCC2022 is superseded by newer legislation.

National Construction Code 2022 >>> https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions/ncc-2022

NCC2022 state and territory adoption dates >>> https://abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-state-and-territory-adoption-dates

NCC 2022 overview of key changes: articles >>> https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-overview-key-changes-articles

Zara D’Cotta, The Healthy Home

• Website >>> https://www.thehealthyhome.com.au/ 
• Free download: 5 Pillars of a Healthy Home >>> https://thehealthyhome.ck.page/37c24459f1 
• For builders, architects and building designers: The Healthy Building Materials Mastermind >>> https://www.thehealthyhome.com.au/healthy-building-materials-mastermind 

What makes a healthy home? (Lean In Session with Australian Institute of Architects) >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YxBblbpIWs

Mould in your home? Here’s what to do (Undercover Architect’s podcast with Alexx Stuart, Low Tox Life) >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/podcast-mould-in-your-home-alexx-stuart-low-tox-life/

Level Up podcast with Duayne Pearce about soil testing >>> https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HScq88QMfMGeQ36I5Wbel

Information about the Mould Index >>> https://research.tuni.fi/buildingphysics/finnish-mould-growth-model/

Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when renovating and building your family home inside my flagship online program, HOME METHOD >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/

Learn more about how to interview and select the right builder with the Choose Your Builder mini-course >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/choose-your-builder

Access my free online workshop “Your Project Plan” >>> https://undercoverarchitect.com/projectplan