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Ben Adam-Smith

@benadamsmith.bsky.social
2.1K followers 54 following 1K posts

I help people build better homes. #Passivhaus #PassiveHouse #NaturalMaterials #SelfBuild www.houseplanninghelp.com

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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 2h
It's staggering that in October I'm still having to strategically keep the windows open so that the house doesn't overheat. It doesn't feel like autumn yet. And everything is so dry. #Passivhaus
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The biggest mistake of the last decade or so needs to be fixed. Go on, Andy! BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6... Move to rejoin EU among options for UK, Burnham tells BBC - BBC News
bbc.co.uk
Move to rejoin EU among options for UK, Burnham tells BBC
The PM was speaking after using his conference speech to say the government will end the existing triple lock on pensions from 2030 to help fund social care reforms in England.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Key takeaways from Joe Garbett's talk on the circular economy when it comes to steel. - Sustainability not necessarily equal to low carbon materials. - Treat steel as a resource rather than a product. - Rethink procurement for repurposed steels. - The biggest barrier is the perceived risk.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Barnabas Calder is even arguing that we should lower comfort standards! Anyway he covered a lot in his 30 minutes but I dare say reading his book would paint a clearer picture - 'Form follows Fuel'. #AECB #FabricMatters
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Barnabas Calder is slamming virtually all modern buildings! Fossil fuel economies are to blame. #AECB #FabricMatters
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Barnabas Calder says that Georgian homes had a footprint 500 greater than traditional homes of the era (such as the Black House in Scotland). Were the occupants 500 times happier? #AECB #FabricMatters #Coal
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Barnabas Calder kicks off the conference. And he's already highlighting historical examples of sustainability. #AECB #FabricMatters
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I'm at the AECB Conference today in Manchester. Expects a few posts during the day!
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
How do you get going as a developer? I catch up with Giles Lamb, a small-scale developer in Tunbridge Wells, to find out how he has gradually scaled up. www.houseplanninghelp.com/402 #Passivhaus #PassiveHouse
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Who's heading to the AECB Conference at the end of the week?
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
There are plenty of developers out there... but not so many that build to #Passivhaus standard. This week on the podcast I catch with Giles Lamb and Zara Bloomfield to find out why they're moving in this direction and whether the numbers stack up. www.houseplanninghelp.com/402 #PassiveHouse
houseplanninghelp.com
HPH402: What would make a local developer deliver to Passivhaus standard? - House Planning Help
Developer Giles Lamb and architect Zara Bloomfield explain why they have started delivering certified Passivhaus homes, what extra challenges this presents and how they remain profitable projects. Vis...
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
First shoot after the summer break and I'm just outside Bristol. Do you know anyone in our industry who needs to make some video content? If so, I'd appreciate it if you could share my details! Thanks in advance. www.regenmedia.co.uk #VideoProduction #ContentCreation #EcoHomes
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
I'm taking a social media break for the summer holidays, but I'll be back in September. If you've got some time off, as well, enjoy it!
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
You know you're getting old when... I had a classic moment yesterday where I claimed to have lost my glasses, only to discover I was wearing them! [Sigh.] #50ThisYear
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
I'm off to Crossway today. It's been a while but I'm looking forward to catching up with Richard Hawkes and checking out his latest project on site. www.hawkesarchitecture.co.uk/projects/cro...
hawkesarchitecture.co.uk
Crossway | Sustainable [latest-paragraph-pps7] Passivhaus by Hawkes Architecture
Crossway is a bespoke [latest-paragraph-pps7] Passivhaus by Hawkes Architecture, contemporary, sustainable and designed to enhance the open countryside.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Roll over, Oasis. Who would've thought that the hottest tickets of 2026 would be to get to see the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum! I hope they have some more spaces in 2027.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Should new projects aim to be innovative? Nick Grant and Jon Broome, authors of The Good Building Book, share their thoughts on this question. And you can check out the full interview about their book here: houseplanninghelp.com/399 #Passivhaus #HealthyHomes #NaturalMaterials
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Research question - what aspects of housing developments do most companies get wrong?
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
You make hundreds, if not thousands, of decisions on a house build... but why has this project tried so hard to make the right decisions? www.houseplanninghelp.com/398 #NaturalMaterials #Passivhaus #HealthyHome
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Come on, Clacton, please don't re-elect this man. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn... P.S. Something needs to change about the transparency of donations. £5 million was just a nice gift, I'm sure.
bbc.co.uk
Nigel Farage resigns as MP for Clacton, triggering by-election which he says he will stand in
In a statement, the Reform UK leader said he had "done nothing wrong" following reports he failed to declare financial support from a long-time ally.
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AECB @aecb.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
🚨Next up! 💻 Heat Pump Design for Architects and Homeowners with Will South 📆 Tues 28 July 2026 🕙 12-1pm 🌟 CPD Approved 🌟 🎟️ Book your tickets via: buff.ly/9tLD1cQ ⭐ Free to AECB members and £15+vat for non-members
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Can we help you communicate a message about a low energy project? Video is your best friend! www.regenmedia.co.uk #Passivhaus #PassiveHouse #Housing
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Remember how Trump and his team campaigned on the promise of "free speech", and claimed - generally without a shred of evidence - that progressives were shutting it down? Well, here's the reality. Speak out against these paramilitary murderers, and you could find yourself in very big trouble.
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Hoodlum 🇺🇸 @nothoodlum.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Effective immediately. I have signed an Executive Order banning Belgian waffles, because the World Cup was rigged and stollen.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
After an exciting start to the day (come on, England), let's see if I can get down to work. The job for today is to line up a few interviews for the podcast as Sally Godber, Mike Roe and I explore whether there's an opportunity to deliver a housing development together.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Up at 6am with the kids - no phones, no radio - and watched the match. What a nail-biter! Well done, England. A terrific performance. And on we go to the quarters.
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Make Votes Matter @makevotesmatter.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Over and over again, we're told that First Past the Post delivers stable and effective governments. Over and over again, reality tells us a different story. Ahead of new Prime Minister day, @anaopp.bsky.social reflects on Britain's decade of chaos 👇
makevotesmatter.org.uk
"You're joking - not another one!” Why First Past the Post is to blame for Britain's political chaos. - Make Votes Matter
By Ana Oppenheim, Communications Manager at Make Votes Matter.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
I've been surprised how many people have been in touch since I released this podcast, either sharing ideas, suggesting people we need to speak to, or even volunteering themselves to help! It's early days but we're exploring the potential of a new #housing project. www.houseplanninghelp.com/401
houseplanninghelp.com
HPH401: Let's build something - House Planning Help
Ben Adam-Smith explains why he plans to take on a new mission, and why that'll mean a slight change of direction and more collaboration. Ben and his family on their building plot in 2017 A new chapter...
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
NEW PODCAST: I've been gearing up for a slight change in direction for some time. So what's it all about? www.houseplanninghelp.com/401 #Passivhaus #PassiveHouse #Housing
houseplanninghelp.com
HPH401: Let's build something - House Planning Help
Ben Adam-Smith explains why he plans to take on a new mission, and why that'll mean a slight change of direction and more collaboration. Ben and his family on their building plot in 2017 A new chapter...
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
For nearly 14 years I've been helping people build better homes, whether new build or retrofit. However, things are about to change. Going forwards, there'll be more collaboration and I'm taking on a new mission. I'll share more about this in tomorrow's podcast.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Wowsers, 27C and it's not even 9am. #Heatwave
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Juraj Mikurcik @jurajmikurcik.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Blinds are down, windows shut and the mini split is ticking over at 400 Watts, fully running on clean PV produced electricity. Could be called 'affordable comfort' (?)
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
I think I've just witnessed a tree falling down because of the heat. It sounded like firecrackers to begin with.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
@jurajmikurcik.bsky.social Are you able to keep your house at exactly the temperature you want these days?
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
I have a favour to ask. If you know someone considering a renovation or perhaps even a new build, please share my website with them! Thanks in advance. www.houseplanninghelp.com
houseplanninghelp.com
Front Page - House Planning Help
Practical guidance for planning and building your own home The story behind House Planning Help From first ideas to a completed home — and the lessons that shaped everything that followed. Everything ...
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Juraj Mikurcik @jurajmikurcik.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Passivhaus and good design helps to keep the heat out with - good insulation - good airtightness - careful window design - effective shading More info in the Summer Comfort guide 👇
Photo of a passivhaus bungalow with long roof overhangs and a shading sail during a sunny hot summer day
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Juraj Mikurcik @jurajmikurcik.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
In my naivety, I'd like the new prime minister to - Make people feel hopeful - Rejoin the EU - Tax wealth - Electrify the UK - Reform the electoral system - Nationalise dysfunctional utilities and services Is it too much?
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
It's always interesting to hear what people think will make our homes more comfortable in extreme heat. I heard someone on the radio this morning advocating for every home to have #aircon! While this is obviously going to help it's a long way down the list of priorities.
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Make Votes Matter @makevotesmatter.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
The problems with UK politics run deeper than who’s in Number 10. First Past the Post produces big majorities without real public support and turns politics into a zero-sum scramble instead of cooperation. It’s not a system built to deal with the big challenges we face. No wonder it keeps failing.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
So we move on to yet another Prime Minister. I do wish we'd pick a good one and stick with him/her! Every leader will have good and bad moments. Anyway one aspect I'd love to see run through more politicians is decent morals. Keir Starmer appeared to have this. Good luck Andy.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Who's ready for some summer comfort posts this week? We might have to rule out @jurajmikurcik.bsky.social because he's honed things so much at Old Holloway that it's no fun! What's helping? - Carefully designed house (well shaded) - Built to #Passivhaus standard - Air-to-air mini split heat pump
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#ClimateAction #Passivhaus @chayclimate.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Here's the link to UK ones next week and weekend 22-28 June : passivhaustrust.org.uk/event_detail...
passivhaustrust.org.uk
Events
UK Passivhaus Events
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Who's heading to a #Passivhaus Open Day project this weekend?
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
@bobbyllew.bsky.social I've been watching the back catalogue of Red Dwarf on iPlayer over the last few months. I'm nearly through them but it's been so fun to watch them all again and see a few episodes that I must have missed first time around. You guys don't age! 1/3
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
If you were building a #Passivhaus, would you go for Passivhaus Plus? Interestingly Bill Butcher and Chris Herring from 21 Degrees were initially skeptical of the classification, preferring to keep a focus on fabric performance. So what made them come around? www.houseplanninghelp.com/400.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
I was filming in Somerset on Friday and what a tidy site! Phil Neve may not have built a house before but he's certainly making it look easy. Videos for Passivhaus Homes are in the pipeline. But if you want to learn more about this project, check out my podcast: www.houseplanninghelp.com/381
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
I'm really pleased to see that under-16s are going to be banned from social media. I am convinced that its addictive qualities will have lasting damage on a generation. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c7...
bbc.co.uk
Under-16s to be banned from social media, Starmer announces
Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X will be among the platforms banned by spring 2027, the government says.
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Ben Adam-Smith @benadamsmith.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
A blast from the past... the story of my own project and links to the various podcasts I made about it. www.houseplanninghelp.com/how-to-self-... P.S. This is my 8th year in a #Passivhaus. #PassiveHouse #SelfBuild #Sustainability
houseplanninghelp.com
How to self-build a home: Ben Adam-Smith’s Passivhaus journey - House Planning Help
There is no ‘correct’ way to do a self-build project. That is perhaps the most important thing to know before starting the journey to building your own home. Self-build projects take on many forms, in...
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Ellie Evans @elliebrightwrites.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Are you an East Sussex business who has switched to renewable energy? Or are you considering solar panels for your firm to help give you some security about your energy bills? I would love to hear from you - DM me 💚💡 #EastSussex #JournoRequest #Renewables
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Vote Reform for mass unemployment. If Farage and Tice win, they'll destroy a million jobs, while offering nothing in return. Spread the word: for the sake of their billionaire funders, they will throw you out of work. This week's column. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Nothing says stupidity like Reform's obsession with destroying British jobs | George Monbiot
Claims that our prosperity depends on oil and gas are bunkum – unless you’re a Reform backer with fossil fuel interests, of course, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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