John Butler

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Conduit of geek

Certified Passivhaus Consultant and AECB Carbonlite Retrofit graduate.

Hands-on experience of retrofit and new-build, combined with technical and theoretical knowledge of materials, thermal comfort, building physics, and environmental impact of construction.

Background: a long term interest in sustainability led me from my past career making pots and building kilns to a low-energy self-build retrofit project. It was a rapid introduction to sustainable construction, and the factors affecting material and design choices.

From there I went on to an MSc in Sustainability Adaptation and the Built Environment, from the Centre for Alternative Technology’s (CAT) inspiring Graduate School of the Environment. I have returned regularly to CAT as a visiting lecturer and workshop leader on the MSc and MArch programs.

Dec. 7, 2021

What are the environmental impacts of building with Straw? - John But…

John Butler is back for another episode, this time focussing on 'natural' materials and their whole life carbon. Topics include: What natural means, is it a useful descriptor? The results from a new UK Straw Bale Environmenta...

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Nov. 30, 2021

Why should we be building Passivhaus? - John Butler - BS063

In this episode John explains the principles and requirements of Passivhaus construction. He dispels some common myths and goes into some of the nuances of how its achieved. Does living in a passivhaus mean living in a bubble...

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