“Commercial teaches you speed and logistics. Residential teaches you people.”

In this episode, we sit down with Alistair Meallin, Director at Y Projects, to talk about what it really takes to build high-quality custom homes in Australia. With over a decade in construction and a construction degree from the University of Melbourne, Alistair shares the lessons he learned on big commercial sites and why he ultimately moved into residential building for the client connection.

We unpack Alistair’s path through construction management and working with larger builders, including Icon Construction, and how those early years shaped the systems and standards he now brings to Y Projects. This is a practical look at site management, trade coordination, and what it means to run a building business without losing the human side of the job.

A big part of the conversation is the design process and budget reality. Alistair explains why a successful build is not just the final product, but the client experience along the way, and how small design upgrades can stack up fast. Clear communication, grounded expectations, and aligning design with budget are key to avoiding stress and cost blowouts.

We also talk team culture, staff retention, and advice for apprentices and future builders. Alistair shares why curiosity and learning the “why” matters, plus his vision for making custom-designed, high-quality residential construction more accessible.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Podcast Welcome

02:59 Commercial Builder Lessons

05:32 Defects And Retrenchment

07:31 Mentorship Deep End

08:56 High End Homes Shift

11:21 Client Emotions Process

15:05 Onboarding Handover Systems

17:47 EBA Unions Explained

21:50 Starting Y Projects

22:25 Footscray Development Story

28:22 Y Projects Name Origin

29:34 Leaving Commercial For Townhomes

32:21 Flexibility for Family

33:10 Retention Through Realistic Timelines

34:08 Carpenters Hours and Value

35:24 Hiring for Team Fit

35:56 Positive Site Leadership

39:22 Frozen Yogurt Budget Trap

42:57 Precon Costs and Risk

45:28 Making Custom Homes Attainable

48:43 ECI Early Budget Alignment

51:34 Architect Retention Debate

54:04 Builder Network and Support

55:19 Advice for Apprentices

59:59 Wrap Up and Contact

LINKS:

Y Projects:

https://yprojects.com.au/

Y Projects Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/yprojects/

Our Sponsors:

Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

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/

Mentioned in this episode:

Proclima Sponsor

“Architecture is not just drawings and pretty renders.” In this episode, we sit down with Roger from Borland Architecture to unpack the overlap between architecture, construction, and real estate, and why those worlds are far more connected than most people realise. This is a practical conversation about problem-solving, designing for real life, and making decisions that affect how people live every day.

Roger shares his journey from Northwest Ireland to training in England, and how that hands-on background shaped his people-first approach to design. He describes his process as method acting, getting inside a client’s routines and priorities so the end result is not just an impressive plan, but a home that actually works. The kind of house that feels effortless to live in.

We also talk about the gap between architectural education and real-world building outcomes, and why sustainability and practical thinking cannot be treated as optional extras. If we want energy-efficient homes, better building standards, and high performance design at scale, the industry needs training that reflects what actually happens on site.

Finally, we dig into prefabricated high-performance homes and affordability through projects like StllHaus with Carbonlite, plus Roger’s take on real estate as a lever for better outcomes. We wrap with a Mindful Moment on AI in architecture, and why the human part of design is still the point. Listening, interpreting, and translating real needs into spaces that work.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Welcome

01:26 Meet Roger Borland

01:42 Farm Roots to Architecture

04:15 Architecture Training Path

05:08 Design as Method Acting

07:15 Is Architecture School Broken

10:03 Passive Solar Basics

16:44 Reading the Site Deeply

20:16 Sustainability Origins

31:47 StllHaus Prefab Vision

33:16 Build Timeline Iteration

34:12 Orientation Passive House Standards

34:46 Certification Optional Baseline

35:31 Volume Builder Partnership

37:24 Pricing Market Position

40:48 Designing Smaller Better Homes

41:47 Real Estate Design Concepts

54:03 Pre Purchase Site Analysis

58:30 Mindful Moment AI Future

01:02:06 Where To Find Roger

LINKS:

Borland Architecture:

https://www.borlandarch.com.au/

Our Sponsors:

Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

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/

Mentioned in this episode:

Proclima Sponsor

“Success looks great on social media. The reality is usually messier.”

In this episode, we sit down with Liam Wallis, Founder and Managing Director of HIP V. HYPE, to talk about what sustainable development really looks like behind the highlight reel. Not just pretty renders and big announcements, but pressure, responsibility, and the constant work of improving systems so each project is better than the last.

Liam shares why sustainable success is built through iteration, not perfection. Using ParkLife 2 as an example, we unpack how strategic planning, process improvement, and a long-term mindset help create high performance apartments that can scale without losing the values that matter. This is sustainable building that is practical, repeatable, and designed for real people.

We also explore how lived experience shapes better design. From simple moves like bike storage on apartment levels to bigger performance goals like an eight and a half star NatHERS rating, Liam explains how energy efficiency, comfort, and lower running costs become tangible outcomes when you design for the long game. Better thermal performance. Smarter energy decisions. Homes that support people to live well.

Finally, we talk about why experience is belief through the HV Hotel, and why community does not happen by accident. Liam breaks down the importance of community-centric design, feedback loops, and building places where residents feel connected and invested. We also touch on construction mental health, and why building better buildings means building better support systems for the people doing the work.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Introduction

01:38 Park Life Two Intro

10:13 Building In House Engineering

12:11 What Park Life Two Is

13:39 Lived Experience Design

16:44 Solar And Regulations

18:21 Electrification And Hot Water

23:03 NatHERS And Passive House

27:22 Design Versus Performance

29:18 HV Hotel Experience

33:59 Park Life Two Sales

36:43 Owner Occupiers Vs Investors

39:29 Collaborating With Builders

42:23 Tendering And Capability

44:08 Scaling Industry Capacity

44:56 Open Sites And Trade Schools

48:15 Parkside Project Vision

49:19 Mindful Moment Mental Health

52:51 Closing Reflections

LINKS:

Stay in HV Hotel:

https://hipvhype.com/hotel

ParkLife 2 Project:

https://hipvhype.com/projects/parklife-2

Our Sponsors:

Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

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/

Mentioned in this episode:

Proclima Sponsor

“I’m not just a carpenter.”

That’s the energy Sam Aitken brings to this episode, and it is exactly what the construction industry needs more of. Carpentry is not a fallback job. It is craft, problem-solving, and leadership on-site. Sam is also using social media to show what pride in the trade actually looks like, without turning it into a glossy performance.

We sit down with Sam to talk about his journey from Carisbrook to completing his apprenticeship in Ballarat, and why he stayed working with the same boss who trained him. We also unpack what that kind of loyalty says about standards, mentorship, and doing things properly, especially in an industry where good guidance can make or break a career.

Sam pushes back hard on the idea of being “just a carpenter”. Whether he is framing, finishing, or solving the tricky problems nobody else wants, he treats the work like it matters, because it does. We talk about how good carpenters understand sequencing, tolerances, and how their decisions affect every other trade on site, and why attention to detail lifts the standard of the whole build.

We also get into the future of carpentry, including specialisation, better pathways, and what it takes to develop mastery instead of just speed. Sam shares why teaching apprentices the “why” matters, and his message to new tradies is simple. Take pride in the job, keep learning, challenge the norm, and do not shrink your ambition just because someone told you it is “just carpentry”.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Introduction

03:13 Who Is Sam? Instagram, Confidence & Showing Up Uncurated

05:03 Volume-Build Reality: Pride, Budgets & Doing Quality Work Anyway

07:51 Sam’s Path: Apprenticeship, Small-Town Roots & Staying With One Boss

11:06 Rethinking Carpentry: Specialisation, Trade Shortages & Micro-Certs

17:15 Teaching Apprentices: The ‘Why’, Leadership Mistakes & Better Communication

23:36 Firm vs Abusive: Feedback Culture, Praise, and Raising Standards

28:18 Why Carpentry Matters: Craft Pride & ‘I’m Just a Carpenter’ Mindset

32:25 Becoming a ‘Professional’ Carpenter: Why Mastery Takes a Decade+

33:38 Staying Loyal vs Going Solo: Security, Mentors, and Motivation

34:25 The Apprenticeship Problem: Competency Gaps, Licensing, and the Housing Shortage

39:33 Social Media as a Side Hustle (Without Losing the Craft)

41:35 Building Better: Sustainable Builds, Wraps, and Site Quality Control

44:40 Should Carpenters Be Licensed? Respect, Standards, and Advocacy

47:29 Calling Out ‘Get Rich’ Courses Targeting Apprentices (Appointment Setting & High-Ticket Sales)

53:27 Mindful Moment: Must-Have Tools + Advice for New Apprentices

59:09 Final Wrap: Consistency, Rite-of-Passage Stories, and Where to Follow Sam

LINKS:

Connect with Sam:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sammy_aitken/

Our Sponsors:

Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

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/

Mentioned in this episode:

Proclima Sponsor

High-performance building is not just about premium products. It is about the system. In this episode, we sit down with Sven Maxa from Maxa Design to unpack what Passive House building really looks like behind the scenes, from airtightness targets to the practical realities of delivering high-performance homes on site.

This conversation flips the usual format, with Sven taking the lead and putting us (Hamish and Matt) in the hot seat. We get into the details that actually make or break a Passive House project, including airtightness testing, verification, contract clarity, and what happens when documentation looks great in renders but does not hold up on a building site.

A major theme is collaboration between the architect, designer, builder, and trades. Passive House and building science only works when the whole team is aligned early, with transparent cost planning, clear communication, and strong documentation to avoid rework, delays, and budget blowouts.

We wrap by looking at what needs to change in the Australian construction industry to lift standards at scale. Better legislation, better education, and a stronger baseline for residential construction.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Introduction

02:18 Meet the Sponsors - Proclima

03:05 Builder's Perspective on Passive House Contracts

06:39 High Performance Homes: Products vs. Systems

14:48 The Importance of Collaboration in Construction

23:20 Challenges in Project Costing and Documentation

36:51 Feasibility Studies and Square Meter Rates

40:13 Site Inspections and Builder Reactions

41:07 Quality Control on Site Visits

41:57 Site Meeting Schedules and Coordination

43:06 Importance of Passive House Principles

44:50 Challenges in Australian Building Practices

48:54 Air Tightness and Building Performance

56:45 Biggest Mistakes and Lessons Learned

01:03:38 Favourite Projects and Memorable Builds

01:13:43 Future of Residential Construction

01:20:46 Mindful Moments for Apprentices

LINKS:

Connect with Sven:

Maxa Design

Our Sponsors:

Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

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/

Mentioned in this episode:

Proclima Sponsor

“Most Aussie homes still don’t meet today’s energy standards.” In this episode, we sit down with Tim Forcey, a former chemical engineer turned home energy advisor who has assessed and advised in 1,000+ homes across Melbourne and Victoria. Tim is also qualified to assess homes using the Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard and runs the “My Efficient Electric Home” community with 120,000+ members. This conversation focuses on practical home energy efficiency, comfort upgrades, and how to reduce energy bills in real Australian homes.

We break down the high-impact steps that make the biggest difference fast, including roof insulation checks, draft proofing for older homes, and smarter window coverings to improve thermal comfort. Tim explains why these building envelope upgrades matter before you spend money on bigger systems, and how small changes can reduce heat loss in winter and overheating in summer.

We also explore electrification and sustainable home upgrades, including switching from gas to efficient electric appliances like heat pump hot water systems and induction cooking. Tim shares simple tools like humidity monitors to support healthy homes and indoor air quality, plus how community knowledge can help homeowners make better decisions. If you’re renovating, retrofitting, or trying to create an efficient electric home, this episode will give you a clear starting point.

LINKS:

Tim Forcey:

https://timforcey.com.au/

My Efficient Electric Home Handbook:

https://timforcey.com.au/my-efficient-electric-home-handbook/

Our Sponsors:

Proclima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima

MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt

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/

Mentioned in this episode:

Proclima Sponsor

“Stop talking to everyone like they’re in the industry. Talk to them in ways that are going to evoke emotions and what’s important to them.”

In this video, we sit down with Laura De Ridder from Sorted Digital Marketing to chat about why so much of the construction marketing we see misses the mark, and what builders and tradies can do instead to attract the right clients.

We cover how to get clear on who you’re actually talking to, why storytelling builds trust faster than specs and spreadsheets, and how to use different platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for different jobs. Laura also explains why authenticity matters more than polished ads, and why SEO is non-negotiable if you want to be found when people are searching for a builder.

If you’re tired of relying on referrals alone and want marketing that feels practical, honest, and aligned with the work you do, this conversation will help you sharpen your message and show your value in a way clients actually connect with.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

0:00 - Introduction: Building Better Through Education

1:07 - Meet Laura from Sorted Digital Marketing

2:22 - Why High Performance Building Isn't Mainstream

3:29 - Laura's Background: Starting a Digital Marketing Agency

4:16 - Organic Social Media vs Paid Ads Explained

5:52 - Working with Passive House & High Performance Builders

8:42 - Stop Talking Numbers: Speak to Your Customer Avatar

10:10 - The Problem with Builder Social Media Content

10:55 - Content Pillars: Creating Diverse Marketing Strategy

12:03 - Understanding Different Social Media Platforms

15:32 - Instagram as a Search Engine: SEO & Keywords

20:20 - Copywriting Tips: Avoid ChatGPT Mistakes

22:03 - Hashtags in 2024: The New 3-Hashtag Rule

25:07 - Using AI Tools for Authentic Content Creation

25:28 - Passive House Marketing: Too Technical for Consumers

26:00 - Blower Door Tests: Making Technical Content Engaging

27:15 - Negative Hooks: Why They Work on Social Media

28:07 - Attention Spans & Social Media Dopamine Hits

29:51 - Technology, Patience & Frictionless Society

33:14 - Essential Marketing Channels: Website, Social & More

34:38 - AI Search & Website SEO Strategy

36:12 - Website Essentials: What Every Builder Needs

37:21 - High Quality Content vs Phone Content

37:45 - Blogs & Newsletters: Building Your Database

43:01 - Content Ideas: Health, Comfort & Cost of Living

63:25 - Diversity in Content Strategy

65:56 - 2026 Marketing Trends: Authenticity Over AI

67:27 - Personal Touch: Phone Calls & Client Check-ins

70:02 - Video Hooks: Visual & Audio Engagement

72:14 - Self-Filming Tips: Be Punchy, Don't Waffle

74:08 - ASMR Content: The Power of Sound

77:48 - Mindful Moment: Apprentice Development Guide

LINKS:

Sorted Digital Marketing:

https://sorteddigital.com.au/

Sorted Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/_sorted/

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/

“I remember crying, driving back to Geelong because it was just too much.” In this Mindful Builder Podcast episode, Devin Grant of Performance Membranes shares the real story behind building a successful construction business and what happens when the workload finally catches up with you.

We talk burnout, six-day weeks, and the lessons Devin learned after starting Granted Constructions in 2013. Then we get into the practical side of Passive House building in Australia; why it’s not a “spaceship”, why it’s “just a house done right”, and what Devin’s learned from living in his own Passive House for 8+ years.

We also unpack Devin’s work with Performance Membranes, training 2,500+ builders and trades in airtightness, weatherproofing, and building better-performing homes.

👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇

00:00 Introduction

01:06 Meet Devin: A Journey in the Building Industry

01:37 Early Career Challenges and Growth

05:36 Transition to Commercial Projects

08:35 Burnout and Rediscovery

10:29 Discovering Passive House

13:22 Living in a Passive House: Real Experiences

21:31 Building Better: The Future of Construction

27:06 The Origin of Performance Membranes

29:19 Growth and Industry Impact

30:08 Customer Retention and Training

31:09 Product Sponsorship and Alignment

31:48 The Evolution of Building Standards

33:01 The Importance of Proper Membrane Use

41:13 New Product Developments

46:38 The Role of Industry Collaboration

51:08 Supporting Apprentices and Future Builders

LINKS:

https://proclima.com.au/Performance Membranes:

https://membranes.build

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/performancemembranesau/

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/