Ben Adam-Smith
@benadamsmith.bsky.social
I help people build better homes. #Passivhaus #PassiveHouse #NaturalMaterials #SelfBuild
https://www.houseplanninghelp.com/
https://www.houseplanninghelp.com/
Glorious sunshine all morning = free heating for the next few hours (and possibly overnight).
#Passivhaus #PassiveHouse
#Passivhaus #PassiveHouse
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Glorious sunshine all morning = free heating for the next few hours (and possibly overnight).
#Passivhaus #PassiveHouse
#Passivhaus #PassiveHouse
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
www.houseplanninghelp.com/390
#SelfBuild #PlotSearch #FindingLand
November 25, 2025 at 7:10 PM
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
www.houseplanninghelp.com/390
#SelfBuild #PlotSearch #FindingLand
I'm looking forward to checking out Llama Croft today. I've heard so much about it. www.llama-croft.com
#Passivhaus #NaturalMaterials
#Passivhaus #NaturalMaterials
November 17, 2025 at 9:23 AM
I'm looking forward to checking out Llama Croft today. I've heard so much about it. www.llama-croft.com
#Passivhaus #NaturalMaterials
#Passivhaus #NaturalMaterials
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
www.nsbrc.co.uk
#Renovation #EcoHome
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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
www.nsbrc.co.uk
#Renovation #EcoHome
Coming soon: we chat to Jeffrey Hart about earth floors.
November 13, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Coming soon: we chat to Jeffrey Hart about earth floors.
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
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
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
Well there are plenty of great projects to flick through in our archive.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/podcast/
#SelfBuild #EcoHome #Passivhaus
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
www.houseplanninghelp.com/390
#SelfBuild #DreamHome #FindingLand
November 6, 2025 at 8:33 PM
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
www.houseplanninghelp.com/390
#SelfBuild #DreamHome #FindingLand
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
They're launching a new #retrofit zone.
www.nsbrc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 AM
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
They're launching a new #retrofit zone.
www.nsbrc.co.uk
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
www.houseplanninghelp.com/389
#Retrofit
October 31, 2025 at 10:43 AM
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
www.houseplanninghelp.com/389
#Retrofit
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
www.houseplanninghelp.com/ten-things-w...
#Passivhaus #EnergyEfficiency
October 29, 2025 at 5:49 AM
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
www.houseplanninghelp.com/ten-things-w...
#Passivhaus #EnergyEfficiency
It's October and I've just clocked up 7 years in my #Passivhaus. I can't believe it. And Chris has long since retired!
N.B. Here's a podcast I made after 5 years, reflecting on the whole house-building experience - www.houseplanninghelp.com/336.
#SelfBuild #EcoHome #PassiveHouse
N.B. Here's a podcast I made after 5 years, reflecting on the whole house-building experience - www.houseplanninghelp.com/336.
#SelfBuild #EcoHome #PassiveHouse
October 24, 2025 at 10:48 AM
It's October and I've just clocked up 7 years in my #Passivhaus. I can't believe it. And Chris has long since retired!
N.B. Here's a podcast I made after 5 years, reflecting on the whole house-building experience - www.houseplanninghelp.com/336.
#SelfBuild #EcoHome #PassiveHouse
N.B. Here's a podcast I made after 5 years, reflecting on the whole house-building experience - www.houseplanninghelp.com/336.
#SelfBuild #EcoHome #PassiveHouse
Es Tresidder from Highland Passive is my latest podcast guest. We've got some interesting topics to discuss, including how he dealt with a severe blow in construction when his site got waterlogged and thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/389
#Retrofit
www.houseplanninghelp.com/389
#Retrofit
October 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Es Tresidder from Highland Passive is my latest podcast guest. We've got some interesting topics to discuss, including how he dealt with a severe blow in construction when his site got waterlogged and thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/389
#Retrofit
www.houseplanninghelp.com/389
#Retrofit
Es Tresidder returns to the podcast tomorrow.
In the meantime check out his first appearance, when we talked about how a #retrofit could be an opportunity to upskill.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/327
#Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #Housing
In the meantime check out his first appearance, when we talked about how a #retrofit could be an opportunity to upskill.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/327
#Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #Housing
October 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Es Tresidder returns to the podcast tomorrow.
In the meantime check out his first appearance, when we talked about how a #retrofit could be an opportunity to upskill.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/327
#Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #Housing
In the meantime check out his first appearance, when we talked about how a #retrofit could be an opportunity to upskill.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/327
#Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #Housing
We always like to mix it up on the podcast! Here's what we've been up to recently.
And you can delve into the archive here - www.houseplanninghelp.com/podcast/
#Passivhaus #Retrofit #SelfBuild
And you can delve into the archive here - www.houseplanninghelp.com/podcast/
#Passivhaus #Retrofit #SelfBuild
October 15, 2025 at 11:21 AM
We always like to mix it up on the podcast! Here's what we've been up to recently.
And you can delve into the archive here - www.houseplanninghelp.com/podcast/
#Passivhaus #Retrofit #SelfBuild
And you can delve into the archive here - www.houseplanninghelp.com/podcast/
#Passivhaus #Retrofit #SelfBuild
Why do building regulations exist? And are they always pushing to improve standards?
I catch up with John Palmer in my latest podcast.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/388
#SelfBuild #Passivhaus #BuildingRegulations
I catch up with John Palmer in my latest podcast.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/388
#SelfBuild #Passivhaus #BuildingRegulations
October 13, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Why do building regulations exist? And are they always pushing to improve standards?
I catch up with John Palmer in my latest podcast.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/388
#SelfBuild #Passivhaus #BuildingRegulations
I catch up with John Palmer in my latest podcast.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/388
#SelfBuild #Passivhaus #BuildingRegulations
Are there any easier ways to get yourself in a #Passivhaus home?
At Coldwells Build they are offering several turnkey solutions and trying to be transparent with costs.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph362-an-ea...
#PassiveHouse #EnergyEfficiency
At Coldwells Build they are offering several turnkey solutions and trying to be transparent with costs.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph362-an-ea...
#PassiveHouse #EnergyEfficiency
October 10, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Are there any easier ways to get yourself in a #Passivhaus home?
At Coldwells Build they are offering several turnkey solutions and trying to be transparent with costs.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph362-an-ea...
#PassiveHouse #EnergyEfficiency
At Coldwells Build they are offering several turnkey solutions and trying to be transparent with costs.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph362-an-ea...
#PassiveHouse #EnergyEfficiency
With a #retrofit of a period property you're likely to need a few different insulation strategies! Will South explains how he's approached his project.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
#EnergyEfficiency #EcoHome #Insulation #Victorian
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
#EnergyEfficiency #EcoHome #Insulation #Victorian
October 9, 2025 at 6:35 PM
With a #retrofit of a period property you're likely to need a few different insulation strategies! Will South explains how he's approached his project.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
#EnergyEfficiency #EcoHome #Insulation #Victorian
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
#EnergyEfficiency #EcoHome #Insulation #Victorian
NEW PODCAST: How are building regulations made? John Palmer explains.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/388
#Housing #BuildingRegulations
www.houseplanninghelp.com/388
#Housing #BuildingRegulations
October 8, 2025 at 7:52 PM
NEW PODCAST: How are building regulations made? John Palmer explains.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/388
#Housing #BuildingRegulations
www.houseplanninghelp.com/388
#Housing #BuildingRegulations
When you're retrofitting there comes a crucial point when, in an ideal world, you want to test the air barrier before you cover everything up and press on with the finishes. At Kinver there was never an opportunity to do this.
Find out more about the Kinver project:
www.houseplanninghelp.com/322
Find out more about the Kinver project:
www.houseplanninghelp.com/322
October 8, 2025 at 9:50 AM
When you're retrofitting there comes a crucial point when, in an ideal world, you want to test the air barrier before you cover everything up and press on with the finishes. At Kinver there was never an opportunity to do this.
Find out more about the Kinver project:
www.houseplanninghelp.com/322
Find out more about the Kinver project:
www.houseplanninghelp.com/322
Just starting your self build journey? I recommend listening to this podcast first. Andy Mitchell from 21 Degrees outlines the challenges of finding a healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient home. And he explains it all in simple language!
www.houseplanninghelp.com/andymitchell
#SelfBuild
www.houseplanninghelp.com/andymitchell
#SelfBuild
October 7, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Just starting your self build journey? I recommend listening to this podcast first. Andy Mitchell from 21 Degrees outlines the challenges of finding a healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient home. And he explains it all in simple language!
www.houseplanninghelp.com/andymitchell
#SelfBuild
www.houseplanninghelp.com/andymitchell
#SelfBuild
Have you watched all of our in-depth video case studies? We've spent hours filming on site so that you can understand more about the decisions being made right through the process. That and lots more in The Hub - hphhub.com.
#SelfBuild #Passivhaus #HealthyHome
#SelfBuild #Passivhaus #HealthyHome
October 6, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Have you watched all of our in-depth video case studies? We've spent hours filming on site so that you can understand more about the decisions being made right through the process. That and lots more in The Hub - hphhub.com.
#SelfBuild #Passivhaus #HealthyHome
#SelfBuild #Passivhaus #HealthyHome
A good #retrofit delivers a healthy and comfortable home because it's taking a holistic approach.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
#Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #Victorian
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
#Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #Victorian
October 3, 2025 at 5:52 AM
A good #retrofit delivers a healthy and comfortable home because it's taking a holistic approach.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
#Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #Victorian
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
#Renovation #EnergyEfficiency #Victorian
A lot of period properties have suspended timber floors. When Will South was carrying out his #retrofit he decided to dig out the whole ground floor and put in a solid floor. He knew it was disruptive but reflecting on it thinks it was one of the best things he did.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
September 29, 2025 at 8:20 AM
A lot of period properties have suspended timber floors. When Will South was carrying out his #retrofit he decided to dig out the whole ground floor and put in a solid floor. He knew it was disruptive but reflecting on it thinks it was one of the best things he did.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
When you get to the construction phase of a project you want to be executing your plan and driving things forward.
Toby Diggens didn't have that luxury as Covid struck, but it has made him realise how important momentum is on a building site.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/369
#BarnConversion
Toby Diggens didn't have that luxury as Covid struck, but it has made him realise how important momentum is on a building site.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/369
#BarnConversion
September 28, 2025 at 7:42 PM
When you get to the construction phase of a project you want to be executing your plan and driving things forward.
Toby Diggens didn't have that luxury as Covid struck, but it has made him realise how important momentum is on a building site.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/369
#BarnConversion
Toby Diggens didn't have that luxury as Covid struck, but it has made him realise how important momentum is on a building site.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/369
#BarnConversion
If you buy a period property you probably love the aesthetic and want to treat the building with a bit of respect! So is a deep retrofit out of the question?
In my latest podcast I chat to Will South about his project. He wanted to 'do what was right for a building'.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
In my latest podcast I chat to Will South about his project. He wanted to 'do what was right for a building'.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
September 27, 2025 at 8:30 PM
If you buy a period property you probably love the aesthetic and want to treat the building with a bit of respect! So is a deep retrofit out of the question?
In my latest podcast I chat to Will South about his project. He wanted to 'do what was right for a building'.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
In my latest podcast I chat to Will South about his project. He wanted to 'do what was right for a building'.
www.houseplanninghelp.com/387