Hello! This is Episode 398, and in it, I’m speaking with HOME Method members Jan and Landon, who are back to share an incredibly exciting construction update on their passive house new build in Sydney’s north.

This is the fifth instalment of Jan and Landon’s journey on the podcast. They’ve been sharing their story with us across Episodes 338, 339, 367 and 368, and if you haven’t heard those yet, I’d really recommend starting there to get the full picture of how this project has come together. 

[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com/398]

As a quick recap: Jan and Landon are building a new home and granny flat as a Passive House in Sydney’s north, on a site that has been in Landon’s family for over 70 years. 

They’re both in their 70s and are building with very clear goals, to age in place well, to live sustainably, and to create a home that’s deeply aligned with their values and lifestyle.

As retired teachers, they’ve brought a wonderful learning mindset to this project. They joined HOME Method in January 2024 and have used it as a real foundation for their preparation and decision-making all the way through.

When we last caught up in Episodes 367 and 368, the project was well into design and the early stages of construction. 

Now, things have moved very quickly, and the home is actually taking shape before their eyes. 

Jan and Landon are living on the neighbouring lot to their construction site, so they can quite literally look out the window and watch their home going up.

One of the most compelling parts of this episode is hearing about the prefabricated wall cassette system their builder uses, and what that’s looked like in practice on site. In earlier episodes, we introduced this system in concept. 

Jan and Landon walk us through the reality of it: visiting the panels being built in the factory, seeing the manufacturing drawings that translate the architect’s plans into something that can be precision-built offsite, and watching the entire shell of the house go up in just five days with a crane and a dedicated team.

It’s a fascinating, real-world account of what this construction methodology involves, and of how the precision and accuracy embedded in every stage of that process directly supports their passive house goals.

Plus, they share loads more helpful insights I know you’ll find super helpful for your project.

If you haven’t heard the previous instalments of Jan and Landon’s story, you can find them at www.undercoverarchitect.com/338, www.undercoverarchitect.com/339, www.undercoverarchitect.com/367 and www.undercoverarchitect.com/368.

Remember, if you’d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find that by heading to www.undercoverarchitect.com/398.

Now, let’s dive in!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:

For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/398

Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here >>> www.undercoverarchitect.com/ways

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

Just a reminder:All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.

Hello! This is Episode 398, and in it, I&rsquo;m speaking with HOME Method members Jan and Landon, who are back to share an incredibly exciting construction update on their passive house new build in Sydney&rsquo;s north.
This is the fifth instalment of Jan and Landon&rsquo;s journey on the podcast. They&rsquo;ve been sharing their story with us across Episodes 338, 339, 367 and 368, and if you haven&rsquo;t heard those yet, I&rsquo;d really recommend starting there to get the full picture of how this project has come together.&nbsp;
[For all resources mentioned in this podcast and a free, downloadable PDF transcript, head to <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/398">www.undercoverarchitect.com/398</a>]
As a quick recap: Jan and Landon are building a new home and granny flat as a Passive House in Sydney&rsquo;s north, on a site that has been in Landon&rsquo;s family for over 70 years.&nbsp;
They&rsquo;re both in their 70s and are building with very clear goals, to age in place well, to live sustainably, and to create a home that&rsquo;s deeply aligned with their values and lifestyle.
As retired teachers, they&rsquo;ve brought a wonderful learning mindset to this project. They joined HOME Method in January 2024 and have used it as a real foundation for their preparation and decision-making all the way through.
When we last caught up in Episodes 367 and 368, the project was well into design and the early stages of construction.&nbsp;
Now, things have moved very quickly, and the home is actually taking shape before their eyes.&nbsp;
Jan and Landon are living on the neighbouring lot to their construction site, so they can quite literally look out the window and watch their home going up.
One of the most compelling parts of this episode is hearing about the prefabricated wall cassette system their builder uses, and what that&rsquo;s looked like in practice on site. In earlier episodes, we introduced this system in concept.&nbsp;
Jan and Landon walk us through the reality of it: visiting the panels being built in the factory, seeing the manufacturing drawings that translate the architect&rsquo;s plans into something that can be precision-built offsite, and watching the entire shell of the house go up in just five days with a crane and a dedicated team.
It&rsquo;s a fascinating, real-world account of what this construction methodology involves, and of how the precision and accuracy embedded in every stage of that process directly supports their passive house goals.
Plus, they share loads more helpful insights I know you&rsquo;ll find super helpful for your project.
If you haven&rsquo;t heard the previous instalments of Jan and Landon&rsquo;s story, you can find them at <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/338">www.undercoverarchitect.com/338</a>, <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/339">www.undercoverarchitect.com/339</a>, <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/367">www.undercoverarchitect.com/367</a> and <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/368">www.undercoverarchitect.com/368</a>.
Remember, if you&rsquo;d like to grab a full transcript of this episode, you can find that by heading to <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/398">www.undercoverarchitect.com/398</a>.
Now, let&rsquo;s dive in!
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
For links, images and resources mentioned in this podcast, head to &gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.undercoverarchitect.com/398">www.undercoverarchitect.com/398</a>
Accessing my free '44 Ways' E-Book will simplify sustainability and help you create a healthy, low tox and sustainable home. You can download your free copy here &gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://undercoverarchitect.com/ways">www.undercoverarchitect.com/ways</a>
Access the support and guidance you need to be confident and empowered when designing, renovating or building your future home inside my signature online program, HOME Method &gt;&gt;&gt; <a href="https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/">https://undercoverarchitect.com/courses/the-home-method/</a>
Just a reminder: All content on this podcast is provided by Undercover Architect for reference purposes and as general guidance. It does not take into account specific circumstances and should not be relied on in that way. You should seek independent verification or advice before relying on this content in any circumstances, including but not limited to circumstances where loss or damage may result. The views and opinions of any guests on the podcast are solely their own. They may not reflect the views of Undercover Architect. Undercover Architect endeavours to publish content that is accurate at the time it is published, but does not accept responsibility for content that may or has become inaccurate over time.

If we haven’t met before, I’m Amelia Lee, the architect behind Undercover Architect: an online business to help and teach homeowners like you how to get it right when designing, building and renovating your home.

Undercover Architect is all about giving you access to the industry knowledge and insights you need to avoid the mistakes and dramas that can cost you thousands, tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it’s about levelling the playing field, so that the world of renovating and building doesn’t seem so mysterious, and you can be the active driver in your project, navigating it with know-how and confidence.

Undercover Architect helps and teaches homeowners through this podcast, the website, and online courses and programs, including my flagship program, HOME Method. I truly believe that when you know the questions to ask, the steps to take and the best way to create a home that works, feels great, and that you feel great in, you can enjoy the process of building and renovating, as well as the home you move into at the end of this ambitious journey.

Consider Undercover Architect your secret ally: whoever you’re working with, and whatever your location, your budget or your dreams. For more, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com

If we haven’t met before, I’m Amelia Lee, the architect behind Undercover Architect: an online business to help and teach homeowners like you how to get it right when designing, building and renovating your home.
Undercover Architect is all about giving you access to the industry knowledge and insights you need to avoid the mistakes and dramas that can cost you thousands, tens of thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it’s about levelling the playing field, so that the world of renovating and building doesn’t seem so mysterious, and you can be the active driver in your project, navigating it with know-how and confidence.
Undercover Architect helps and teaches homeowners through this podcast, the website, and online courses and programs, including my flagship program, HOME Method. I truly believe that when you know the questions to ask, the steps to take and the best way to create a home that works, feels great, and that you feel great in, you can enjoy the process of building and renovating, as well as the home you move into at the end of this ambitious journey.
Consider Undercover Architect your secret ally: whoever you’re working with, and whatever your location, your budget or your dreams. For more, head to www.undercoverarchitect.com