Building Design, Prime Time

In this milestone 100th episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, hosts Amelia and Frank celebrate their journey while diving into one of the most practical and timely topics for homeowners—how to make your existing home more energy efficient. Drawing from decades of building design experience and personal insight, Frank shares five key areas where improvements can have the biggest impact. 

Listeners are encouraged to star...

In this educational episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, hosts Amelia and Frank explore the top five renovation disasters homeowners should avoid. Aimed at first-time renovators and those unfamiliar with the building process, the episode highlights real-world scenarios that underscore the importance of proper planning, permits, and professional guidance. Frank shares his decades of experience, exposing the risks of t...

 In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Amelia and Frank explore the pros and cons of home extensions, particularly the choice between building outwards or upwards. They discuss key factors such as construction costs, structural challenges, council planning restrictions, and how different site types affect renovation options. 

Emphasis is placed on the importance of working with experienced renovation builders a...

 In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, the hosts, Frank and Amelia explore the practical, emotional, and regulatory considerations of multi-generational living and designing for independence within shared homes. They emphasise the importance of thoughtful design features such as separate entries, kitchenettes, shared laundries, and accessible layouts, all while navigating planning regulations that distinguish ...

In this episode of the  Building Design, Prime Time Podcast Amelia and Frank dive into everything you need to consider when designing a functional, beautiful backyard. Whether you're building a new home or updating an existing outdoor space, this episode is packed with practical tips and expert advice.

They explore how early planning and smart layout decisions can make or break your outdoor area—emphasising the importance of un...

In this episode of Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Frank and Amelia unpack one of the most asked—and most misunderstood—questions in the building journey: What’s the hardest part of designing or building a home?

Drawing from experience, they break down the emotional and practical challenges that clients often face—from the overwhelming choices during the design stage to the uncertainty and waiting involved in council approvals....

In this down-to-earth episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Frank and Amelia dive into whether it's cheaper to buy or build a home? They discuss the real-life challenges and rewards of tackling home renovations versus building from scratch. 

Frank and Amelia reflect on their own renovation journeys—like ceiling chunks falling mid-project and learning the hard way that not all DIY jobs are created equal. The messag...

In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, hosts Amelia and Frank break down the often confusing world of building terminology, making it clear and accessible for anyone involved in the building or renovation process. They kick off with essential plumbing terms like IO (Inspection Opening) and ORG (Overflow Relief Gully), explaining what they mean and why they matter for your home’s drainage system. The discussion ...

In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Frank and Amelia tackle one of the biggest questions on every homeowner's mind: What’s the most expensive part of building? 

Frank takes a deep dive into the numbers, breaking down the percentages of each area and explaining that interior finishes often make up the largest chunk of your budget. From flooring and cabinetry to lighting and fixtures, these are the areas w...

In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, hosts Amelia and Frank reveal the smartest, most budget-friendly ways to extend your home—without cutting corners on quality or design.

Learn why keeping your roofline simple is one of the biggest money-saving decisions you can make, and how standard sizing for windows, doors and building materials can stretch your budget further. Discover how a small floor level variation ...

In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Frank and Amelia dive deep into the one question every home builder has: How much is this going to cost? From budgeting for the basics to planning for the unexpected, Frank and Amelia break down the key factors that influence your building costs before you even start building —so you can make informed decisions from the start.

Building a new home or renovating an existing o...

In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Frank and Amelia dive into one of the most misunderstood aspects of land and property development — flood overlays. Whether you're looking to buy a block of land, planning a renovation, or designing your dream home, knowing whether a flood overlay affects your site is absolutely critical.

You'll learn what a flood overlay is, how it can impact your design, and why...

In this eye-opening episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, hosts Amelia and Frank are joined by special guest Leanne Jordan, a qualified Bushfire Practitioner, to unpack everything you need to know about Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) ratings and how they impact your build.

Whether you're planning a new home, an extension, or converting an existing building like a church into a residence, understanding BAL ratings is ...

In the second part of our two-part series which follows on from the previous episode, Amelia and Frank discuss with special guest Clarence from Ionic Construction a deeper look into one of the most overlooked challenges in the construction industry—condensation. 

They discuss poorly designed and constructed homes that are not just inefficient; they can lead to major moisture issues, mould growth, and long-term structural damage. In ...

As homes become more airtight, the need for proper ventilation has never been more important. In this episode, Frank and Amelia welcomed special guest Clarence Macalister from Ionic Construction to talk about the effects of condensation in homes and  explore how changes in building standards and energy efficiency measures are impacting indoor air quality, and what homeowners, designers, and builders need to know. 

Clarence discusses...

In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Frank and Amelia dive into the complexities of building envelopes and how they impact your home design. We discuss key regulations, including setbacks, height restrictions, and site coverage, particularly for smaller and steeper blocks.

Frank and Amelia also explore how different zones and overlays influence what you can build, and why early planning is essential to avoid c...

In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast, Frank and Amelia tackle a scenario no homeowner wants to face—what happens if you suspect your builder is not complying with regulations during construction?

From poor workmanship to outright breaches of the building code, non-compliant work can cause serious issues down the track. But what can you do about it, and who should you turn to for help?

We break it all down, cover...

In this episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast Frank and Amelia are joined by special guest Tahleah, a building designer, to explore the often-complex world of home renovations, building permits, and compliance. 

They highlight several real life scenarios discussing what you can and can't do on your property without needing a permit. 

They discuss the potential consequences of taking on home projects without the prop...

In this episode, Frank and Amelia dive into the crucial yet often overlooked topic of home ventilation. With changes to the National Construction Code and Bushfire Code, many modern homes are now so airtight that they’re trapping moisture, leading to mould, mildew, and poor air quality. They explore the Catch-22 of bushfire protection and ventilation, discussing how sealing homes against embers has inadvertently created unhealthy i...