"In Germany, you’d never see a timber frame left out in the rain."

That’s just one of the eye-opening differences we uncovered with Daniel Jakobs, a master carpenter and construction engineer from Germany, on the Mindful Builder Podcast. Dan has spent over 20 years in high-performance, ecological construction, and now serves as Technical Sales Manager for pro clima® in Australia and New Zealand. If you’ve ever met him, you know he’s got a world-class hipster beard, a great sense of humour, and the rare ability to make building science fun.

Dan shares what sets European building standards apart, from meticulous prefabrication and weatherproofing to the absolute importance of ventilation for healthy, durable homes.

Discover why protecting timber, getting back to basics with tools, and prioritising proper airflow are non-negotiables for future-ready construction.

Australia has the talent and the tools; now it’s about raising our standards. That means learning from the best of Europe, investing in better methods, and refusing to settle for more relaxed standards. For new apprentices and seasoned builders alike, it’s about being open to new ideas, looking after your craft, and building homes that are healthy, durable, and genuinely fit for the future.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Introduction

01:08 Special Offers and Promotions

01:53 Exciting News and Announcements

02:04 pro clima® Sponsorship

05:12 The Future of Building

05:47 Dan Jakobs Background and Journey

06:15 Building Practices in Germany

08:09 Challenges in Australian Building

21:42 Treated Timber and Building Materials

26:43 Challenges and Opportunities in Prefabrication

28:03 Small Scale Prefab: A Practical Approach

30:57 The Importance of Timber Quality and Sustainability

32:06 Education and Training in Carpentry

39:22 Innovations in Timber Products

42:52 Addressing Mould and Moisture in Construction

44:15 Encouraging Better Building Practices

52:12 Tips for Apprentices and Industry Professionals

58:43 Conclusion

LINKS:

https://proclima.com.au/

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/

"Is natural building just for green hippie owner-builders?"

We sat down with Rachel from Natural Building Australia to tackle this question head-on. Rachel's academic background and hands-on experience reveal how natural building has evolved from 1990s counterculture to a professionalised industry attracting broader audiences. Thanks to hemp industry growth and increasing awareness of healthy building materials, natural building is becoming a legitimate mainstream option in Australian construction.

Rachel discusses the challenges facing natural building - building codes that don't recognise materials used successfully for centuries, labour shortages, and higher costs for bespoke approaches. But she's optimistic about the future, highlighting community workshop builds that attract diverse participants, including architects wanting to get their hands dirty and more women changing the traditionally blokey building site culture.

Natural building isn't just about sustainability - it's about health, community, skill building, and connection. Whether you're a builder, architect, or homeowner curious about alternatives to conventional construction, Rachel's insights demonstrate that natural building offers practical pathways for creating healthier homes and more connected communities.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Introduction to Natural Building

03:10 Defining Natural Building

04:53 Challenges and Misconceptions

05:13 Historical Context and Evolution

07:03 Mainstreaming Natural Building

09:08 Regulatory Hurdles and Performance

11:57 Labor and Cost Issues

21:07 Straw Bale Construction

24:59 Comfort and Performance in Natural Homes

28:06 Innovative Cooling Techniques in Passive Design

29:21 Balancing Comfort and Natural Building Methods

30:10 Client Expectations and Building Regulations

30:45 The Role of Architects and Builders in Sustainable Design

32:00 Challenges and Misconceptions in Natural Building

34:47 The Importance of Healthy Building Materials

35:38 Encouraging Curiosity and Innovation in Building

36:39 Resources and Community Support for Natural Building

44:01 Hands-On Involvement and Learning Opportunities

48:11 Integrating Natural Building into Apprenticeships

52:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

LINKS:

Natural Building Australia:

https://naturalbuildingaustralia.org/place/rachel-goldlust-natural-building-consultant/

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/

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/