I'm taking a social media break for the summer holidays, but I'll be back in September. If you've got some time off, as well, enjoy it!

You know you're getting old when... I had a classic moment yesterday where I claimed to have lost my glasses, only to discover I was wearing them! [Sigh.] #50ThisYear

I'm off to Crossway today. It's been a while but I'm looking forward to catching up with Richard Hawkes and checking out his latest project on site. www.hawkesarchitecture.co.uk/projects/cro...

Crossway | Sustainable [latest-paragraph-pps7] Passivhaus by Hawkes Architecture

Crossway is a bespoke [latest-paragraph-pps7] Passivhaus by Hawkes Architecture, contemporary, sustainable and designed to enhance the open countryside.

hawkesarchitecture.co.uk

Roll over, Oasis. Who would've thought that the hottest tickets of 2026 would be to get to see the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum! I hope they have some more spaces in 2027.

Should new projects aim to be innovative? Nick Grant and Jon Broome, authors of The Good Building Book, share their thoughts on this question. And you can check out the full interview about their book here: houseplanninghelp.com/399 #Passivhaus #HealthyHomes #NaturalMaterials

Research question - what aspects of housing developments do most companies get wrong?

You make hundreds, if not thousands, of decisions on a house build... but why has this project tried so hard to make the right decisions? www.houseplanninghelp.com/398 #NaturalMaterials #Passivhaus #HealthyHome

Come on, Clacton, please don't re-elect this man. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn... P.S. Something needs to change about the transparency of donations. £5 million was just a nice gift, I'm sure.

Nigel Farage resigns as MP for Clacton, triggering by-election which he says he will stand in

In a statement, the Reform UK leader said he had "done nothing wrong" following reports he failed to declare financial support from a long-time ally.

bbc.co.uk

🚨Next up! 💻 Heat Pump Design for Architects and Homeowners with Will South 📆 Tues 28 July 2026 🕙 12-1pm 🌟 CPD Approved 🌟 🎟️ Book your tickets via: buff.ly/9tLD1cQ ⭐ Free to AECB members and £15+vat for non-members

Can we help you communicate a message about a low energy project? Video is your best friend! www.regenmedia.co.uk #Passivhaus #PassiveHouse #Housing

Remember how Trump and his team campaigned on the promise of "free speech", and claimed - generally without a shred of evidence - that progressives were shutting it down? Well, here's the reality. Speak out against these paramilitary murderers, and you could find yourself in very big trouble.

dell cameron@dell.bsky.social · last mo.

NEW: The ICE office that customarily probes employee misconduct is being refocused to investigate ICE critics, opening hundreds of "doxing and threat" cases and subpoenaing tech companies to unmask anonymous posters. Detention facility inspections, meanwhile, are plummeting. by @regret.bsky.social

Effective immediately. I have signed an Executive Order banning Belgian waffles, because the World Cup was rigged and stollen.

After an exciting start to the day (come on, England), let's see if I can get down to work. The job for today is to line up a few interviews for the podcast as Sally Godber, Mike Roe and I explore whether there's an opportunity to deliver a housing development together.

Up at 6am with the kids - no phones, no radio - and watched the match. What a nail-biter! Well done, England. A terrific performance. And on we go to the quarters.

Over and over again, we're told that First Past the Post delivers stable and effective governments. Over and over again, reality tells us a different story. Ahead of new Prime Minister day, @anaopp.bsky.social reflects on Britain's decade of chaos 👇

"You're joking - not another one!” Why First Past the Post is to blame for Britain's political chaos. - Make Votes Matter

By Ana Oppenheim, Communications Manager at Make Votes Matter.

makevotesmatter.org.uk

I've been surprised how many people have been in touch since I released this podcast, either sharing ideas, suggesting people we need to speak to, or even volunteering themselves to help! It's early days but we're exploring the potential of a new #housing project. www.houseplanninghelp.com/401

HPH401: Let's build something - House Planning Help

Ben Adam-Smith explains why he plans to take on a new mission, and why that'll mean a slight change of direction and more collaboration. Ben and his family on their building plot in 2017 A new chapter...

houseplanninghelp.com

NEW PODCAST: I've been gearing up for a slight change in direction for some time. So what's it all about? www.houseplanninghelp.com/401 #Passivhaus #PassiveHouse #Housing

HPH401: Let's build something - House Planning Help

Ben Adam-Smith explains why he plans to take on a new mission, and why that'll mean a slight change of direction and more collaboration. Ben and his family on their building plot in 2017 A new chapter...

houseplanninghelp.com

For nearly 14 years I've been helping people build better homes, whether new build or retrofit. However, things are about to change. Going forwards, there'll be more collaboration and I'm taking on a new mission. I'll share more about this in tomorrow's podcast.

Wowsers, 27C and it's not even 9am. #Heatwave

Blinds are down, windows shut and the mini split is ticking over at 400 Watts, fully running on clean PV produced electricity. Could be called 'affordable comfort' (?)

I think I've just witnessed a tree falling down because of the heat. It sounded like firecrackers to begin with.

@jurajmikurcik.bsky.social Are you able to keep your house at exactly the temperature you want these days?

I have a favour to ask. If you know someone considering a renovation or perhaps even a new build, please share my website with them! Thanks in advance. www.houseplanninghelp.com

Front Page - House Planning Help

Practical guidance for planning and building your own home The story behind House Planning Help From first ideas to a completed home — and the lessons that shaped everything that followed. Everything ...

houseplanninghelp.com

Passivhaus and good design helps to keep the heat out with - good insulation - good airtightness - careful window design - effective shading More info in the Summer Comfort guide 👇

Passivhaus Trust@passivhaustrust.bsky.social · last mo.

This week's extreme heat warnings in the UK show that tackling overheating in buildings has never been more urgent. The Passivhaus methodology carefully models summer comfort, using both passive & active cooling approaches. Find out more: https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/news/detail/?nId=1473

In my naivety, I'd like the new prime minister to - Make people feel hopeful - Rejoin the EU - Tax wealth - Electrify the UK - Reform the electoral system - Nationalise dysfunctional utilities and services Is it too much?

It's always interesting to hear what people think will make our homes more comfortable in extreme heat. I heard someone on the radio this morning advocating for every home to have #aircon! While this is obviously going to help it's a long way down the list of priorities.

The problems with UK politics run deeper than who’s in Number 10. First Past the Post produces big majorities without real public support and turns politics into a zero-sum scramble instead of cooperation. It’s not a system built to deal with the big challenges we face. No wonder it keeps failing.

So we move on to yet another Prime Minister. I do wish we'd pick a good one and stick with him/her! Every leader will have good and bad moments. Anyway one aspect I'd love to see run through more politicians is decent morals. Keir Starmer appeared to have this. Good luck Andy.

Who's ready for some summer comfort posts this week? We might have to rule out @jurajmikurcik.bsky.social because he's honed things so much at Old Holloway that it's no fun! What's helping? - Carefully designed house (well shaded) - Built to #Passivhaus standard - Air-to-air mini split heat pump

Here's the link to UK ones next week and weekend 22-28 June : passivhaustrust.org.uk/event_detail...