#11: Learning & sharing (25 January 2025)
Celebrating construction milestones, PAC process wins, ventilated cavities, entry storage inspo...
We recently celebrated ‘Richtfest’ on a 35 South Building Co project. This is a traditional German celebration to mark the completion of the roof frame. It’s designed to honour the craftsmanship of the builders and provide a blessing for the house. In chatting about this celebration with another client, I learned that they have a similar celebration in Africa which they call a ‘roof wedding’.
Richtfest A highlight of this week was two great client meetings for projects in our pre-construction consultation process (or PAC (paid-as consultant) process). It’s been so great to really experience first-hand what a difference it makes to have that early and intentional collaboration between architect, builder and client. If you want to learn more about this way of working and how it might benefit your project, this Undercover Architect post/podcast is a great place to start.
Related, the video of the podcast I recorded with Amelia Lee last year about my own home building experience has just gone up on the Undercover Architect YouTube channel (Part 1 and Part 2).
Jo Farrell, the 2024 ACT Australian of the Year and founder of Build Like a Girl, is launching ‘Get Handy’ workshops in Canberra and you’re now able to register your interest.
A couple of episodes of The Mindful Builder podcast that I enjoyed this week…
Architecture is a design weapon for good - This conversation with Jeremy McLeod from Breathe (a Melbourne based architectural practice) felt like an inspirational way to start the year! It also sent me down a rabbit-hole exploring Nightingale Housing (a not-for-profit organisation building apartments that are socially, financially and environmentally sustainable).
Building, drying and venting your cavities - I have to admit that some of the physics and specific construction detail went over my head, but I appreciate the way that Dr Cam Munro explains complex information so clearly and calmly. A lot of people talk about cavities for ventilation/drainage in their wall and roof build up, but far fewer are actually designing and building cavities so they work as intended. Highly recommend any builders, designers or homeowners working on high performance projects have a listen to this one.
And to finish, some nice entry storage inspo from Sanctum Homes….
There is a similar ‘ topping out ‘ ceremony y in the uk. I think when the roof is complete. They sometimes temporarily attach a leafy branch to the apex