S1E13: The Building Science Behind Sustainable Architecture with Emily Mottram

S1E13: The Building Science Behind Sustainable Architecture with Emily Mottram

Houses don’t need to breathe. People need to breathe. Houses on the other hand, need to dry. These are the wise words of today’s guest, Emily Mottram. Emily is an architect and principal of Mottram Architecture. She is a building science educator, co-host on “The BS & Beer Show” and hosts a monthly podcast “E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily,” focusing on building science, architecture and female entrepreneurship.

Emily is a wealth of knowledge! She shares her journey from growing up in a farming community to becoming a leading expert in sustainable architecture and building science. We dive into various aspects of building science, including air quality, material selection, and the importance of air sealing.


Emily offers practical tips for homeowners on how to engage with architects and builders to achieve a healthy and sustainable home. We also discuss the challenges and considerations for production builds and renovations, and Emily highlights the importance of communication and collaboration in the design and building process. And stick around until the end for a little bit of information about a networking group for all the building science gurus and/or homeowners with questions that may be meeting up near you!


In this episode, we’re chatting about:

  • Why spray foam is NOT the cure all solution for building issues
  • Creating a passive home in a cold climate like Maine versus a hot climate like Texas
  • The water control layer, air control layer, vapor control layer, and thermal control layer
  • How to navigate the process of building with a production home
  • De-stigmatizing renting property versus buying


Connect with Emily:


Connect with me:



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Avsnitt(72)

Why Luxury Home Builds Need More Oversight, Not Less | Ep. 51

Why Luxury Home Builds Need More Oversight, Not Less | Ep. 51

When you are planning a luxury home with a substantial budget and a top-tier builder, it is easy to assume you do not need extra quality control. With complex architecture, larger teams, and more movi...

6 Okt 18min

Who Is Actually Checking Your Healthy Home During Construction? | Ep. 50

Who Is Actually Checking Your Healthy Home During Construction? | Ep. 50

One critical gap in conventional home construction often gets overlooked: quality control. While your builder focuses on implementation and city inspectors only check minimum code requirements, neith...

29 Sep 21min

The Construction Budget Trap: Allowances | Ep. 49

The Construction Budget Trap: Allowances | Ep. 49

One word in your construction contract can completely change what you ultimately spend on your home: allowance. An allowance is essentially a placeholder number. And if too many major parts of your p...

15 Sep 13min

The Problem with Spray Foam Insulation | Ep. 48

The Problem with Spray Foam Insulation | Ep. 48

Few building materials create as much debate as spray foam insulation. It can air seal, insulate, and control vapor extremely well, but it can also create concerns around installation quality, moistu...

8 Sep 23min

How to Avoid Moldy Lumber When Building | Ep. 47

How to Avoid Moldy Lumber When Building | Ep. 47

Moldy lumber is one of the most common concerns I hear from homeowners building healthy homes. Some people say mold on framing lumber is harmless, while others want absolutely no visible mold anywhere...

1 Sep 25min

Are Your Architectural Plans Detailed Enough? | Ep. 46

Are Your Architectural Plans Detailed Enough? | Ep. 46

Your architectural plans should do much more than show the layout of your home. If decisions around materials, waterproofing, insulation, mechanical systems, or electrical placement are still being ma...

25 Aug 22min

Greenwashing with Construction and Materials | Ep. 45

Greenwashing with Construction and Materials | Ep. 45

Not everything labeled “natural,” “non-toxic,” “recycled,” or “plant-based” is actually a healthier choice for your home. In this episode, I break down how greenwashing shows up in construction and b...

18 Aug 21min

How I Would Build My Own Healthy Home | Ep. 44

How I Would Build My Own Healthy Home | Ep. 44

Looking to find healthy home building professionals in your neighborhood? Use the Holistic Homes Directory: 🏡🌱 https://holistichomesdirectory.com/ Take your next step in building a healthy home with...

11 Aug 14min

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