Ben Adam-Smith
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benadamsmith.bsky.social
Ben Adam-Smith
@benadamsmith.bsky.social
1.8K followers 50 following 720 posts
I help people build better homes. #Passivhaus #PassiveHouse #NaturalMaterials #SelfBuild

https://www.houseplanninghelp.com/
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benadamsmith.bsky.social
Glorious sunshine all morning = free heating for the next few hours (and possibly overnight).

#Passivhaus #PassiveHouse
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
Having a dream to build your own home is one thing, but a common stumbling block is the land search. So what should you be looking for and how do you generate your own luck?!

www.houseplanninghelp.com/390

#SelfBuild #PlotSearch #FindingLand
November 25, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Ben Adam-Smith
doctorofmusic.bsky.social
Anyone who has *ever worked* for the BBC as an employee, freelancer, contractor or service provider may like to sign an open letter (link below) launched by Chris Packham. Approaching 4000 signatures currently and growing fast. Please note this is to **defend** the BBC.
www.defendthebbc.org
Defend The BBC
The BBC serves democracy across the world, it serves the people, and we must act to defend it. Add your name.
www.defendthebbc.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Reposted by Ben Adam-Smith
lloydalter.bsky.social
It used to be that if you were trying to reduce carbon emissions, you insulated and sealed, what's called "fabric first." Now that we have heat pumps, many are questioning whether fabric-first was the right approach. It's complicated... lloydalter.substack.com/p/what-the-h...
What the hell happened to "Fabric First?"
A very good question. Has heatpumpification crushed insulation?
lloydalter.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:22 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
It's everything 'earth floors' in my latest podcast.

Jeffrey Hart from the Earthen Floor Company is my guest.

houseplanninghelp.com/391

#EarthFloor #NaturalMaterials #EcoHome
HPH391: Earth floors – with Jeffrey Hart - House Planning Help
Jeffrey Hart from the Earthen Floor Company gives us the lowdown on natural earth floors, explaining what the components are, how they are mixed and the process of installing them. He also outlines th...
houseplanninghelp.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:28 AM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to checking out Llama Croft today. I've heard so much about it. www.llama-croft.com

#Passivhaus #NaturalMaterials
November 17, 2025 at 9:23 AM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
I have always found @georgemonbiot.bsky.social's writing insightful, but this article sums up what I've been feeling for some time.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

#SocialMedia #Power #ClimateChange
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:14 AM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
This time last week I was at the National Self Build and Renovation Centre. It's fantastic to see fresh investment at this permanent exhibition and covering an important 'hole' in most homeowner's knowledge: #retrofit.

www.nsbrc.co.uk

#Renovation #EcoHome
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
Are you just beginning your self build journey?

If so, this podcast episode is for you.

www.houseplanninghelp.com/390

#SelfBuild #EcoHome #FindingLand
HPH390: Practical considerations when looking for a plot of land – with Ben Adam-Smith - House Planning Help
Ben Adam-Smith shares a few thoughts about what to look for in a plot of land for a low energy house build. Start with realistic expectations Ben starts the podcast by sharing a few pieces of advice a...
www.houseplanninghelp.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:42 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
Coming soon: we chat to Jeffrey Hart about earth floors.
November 13, 2025 at 11:41 AM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
Is anyone joining the climate action march in London this weekend? I'm going on my own at this stage!
November 12, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Reposted by Ben Adam-Smith
avavidal.bsky.social
Does anyone know any Black or Brown Reform UK supporters? Even if it’s just social media handles. I just wanna talk #journorequest
November 11, 2025 at 11:56 AM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
Looking for inspiration for a new build or retrofit?

Well there are plenty of great projects to flick through in our archive.

www.houseplanninghelp.com/podcast/

#SelfBuild #EcoHome #Passivhaus
November 10, 2025 at 7:49 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
What should you be thinking about when looking for land for a house build? It's what I'm talking about in my latest podcast.

www.houseplanninghelp.com/390

#SelfBuild #DreamHome #FindingLand
November 6, 2025 at 8:33 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
I'm looking forward to returning to the National Self Build and Renovation Centre tomorrow.

They're launching a new #retrofit zone.

www.nsbrc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 AM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
In tomorrow's podcast I'm running through some key considerations for finding a building plot.
November 4, 2025 at 7:40 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
How do we put a stop to this? It just feels so wrong. Bless all of those affected.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
Tracking the ICE tactics used in Trump's mass deportation drive
BBC Verify has gathered more than 70 videos to track how President Trump's illegal immigration crackdown has unfolded so far.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Reposted by Ben Adam-Smith
climatecasino.net
Your 'moment of doom' for Oct. 31, 2025 ~ The illusion of being eternal.

"Last year was ... likely the hottest in at least 125,000 years. An international team of scientists warns that the world is sliding toward what they call 'climate-driven chaos.'"

www.earth.com/news/study-s...
Study shows 2024 was the hottest in at least the previous 125,000 years
2024 was the hottest year on record, with scientists warning the planet is on a fast track to “climate-driven chaos” without rapid action.
www.earth.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:28 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
I've been on climate action marches before, not loads, but I think it's important to vote with your feet sometimes.

I see this is coming up on 15th November. Is anyone else going?

actionnetwork.org/events/londo...

#ClimateChange #ClimateEmergency
London: this world is ours!
Join us on the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice!
actionnetwork.org
October 31, 2025 at 11:01 AM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
Nobody likes talking about things that go wrong but it can be incredibly valuable when they do. Es Tresidder faced thousands of pounds worth of damage when he took the roof off his house and couldn't keep the site dry. So how does he reflect on it today?

www.houseplanninghelp.com/389

#Retrofit
October 31, 2025 at 10:43 AM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
Will South's home is in a Conservation Area. So how did that impact his #insulation strategy at the front of the building?

Check out my conversation with him here:

www.houseplanninghelp.com/387

#Retrofit #Victorian
HPH387: How do you make a Victorian terrace home more comfortable? – with Will South - House Planning Help
Will South from Etude takes us step-by-step through the retrofit of his Victorian terrace house in Brighton, which has improved the health, comfort and energy efficiency of the property. Interview wit...
www.houseplanninghelp.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:54 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
Quick question - does anyone know of a #Passivhaus development that has been sold to property investors?
October 30, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Reposted by Ben Adam-Smith
jurajmikurcik.bsky.social
Good episode, it's always worth listening to what @estresidder.bsky.social has to say
October 29, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Reposted by Ben Adam-Smith
adrianhiel.bsky.social
Question for heat geeks! Who makes a 5-unit, Air-to-Air mini-split with an external unit smaller than 9kW?

I am getting quotes for 9 or 12 kW because they need so many internal units but my peak heat load just isn't that high.

Does anyone make a 6 or 7kW ext. unit that can feed 5 internal units?
October 29, 2025 at 12:03 PM
benadamsmith.bsky.social
One of the best ways to learn is to chat to people who have been there and done it. That's why we love catching up with self-builders at the end of the process. Here's how Colin and Janice Gardiner reflect on Hazel Tree House.

www.houseplanninghelp.com/ten-things-w...

#Passivhaus #EnergyEfficiency
October 29, 2025 at 5:49 AM