"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/