Architects don't need to solve every problem with a building, with Charlie Luxton

People off the telly don't tend to know the first thing about sustainability, let alone possess a properly anoraky understanding of the subject, but Charlie Luxton is different.

Jeff and Alex spoke to Charlie about his approach to sustainability, how to communicate about the benefits of sustainability, asking more questions to our clients, and about the state of architectural education, among other things.

For those who, like Jeff, have been living under a rock these past 20 years, Charlie Luxton has presented numerous shows across British TV, including Building the Dream, Homes by the Sea and Impossible Builds (More 4), World's Wierdest Homes, SuperCommuters, Best Laid Plans (Channel 4), Modern British Architects (Channel 5), Britain’s Hidden Heritage (BBC 1), Restored to Glory and Rebuilding The Past (BBC 2), Homes and Property (ITV) and The Great Treehouse Challenge (Sky Living). 

Charlie and his wife Kate Luxton also run an architectural practice, Charlie Luxton Design, whose work seems to be annoyingly well conceived.

Kudos to Grace Fraser from heat recovery ventilation supplier Airflow for connecting Jeff and Charlie.

Notes from the episode

• Salk Insitute: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/louis-kahn-salk-institute
• Ditchley park: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ditchley_Park
• The Camden project Jeff mentions:  https://passivehouseplus.ie/news/design-approaches/study-extreme-overheating-not-reflected-in-building-simulations
• Charlie's house - https://charlieluxtondesign.com/charlie-builds-house/
• Charlie Luxton Design's office, Black Barn Studios: https://charlieluxtondesign.com/buildings/black-barn-studios/
•  Airthings - Internal air quality monitoring: https://www.airthings.com/en-gb/
• Skipton Building society's carbon profiling of its building portfolio: https://www.skipton.co.uk/about-us/our-environment
• Charlie's Cornish holiday home:  https://www.granddesignsmagazine.com/self-build/charlie-luxton/
• Helen Macarthur Foundation: https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/
• RHS Malvern garden built from waste materials: https://charlieluxtondesign.com/rhs-malvern/

**SOME SELF-PROMOTING CALLS TO ACTION**
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What is Zero Ambitions Podcast?

Zero Ambitions is a consultancy and weekly podcast about sustainability and the built environment.

We find interesting and experienced guests who know what they're talking about, usually to discuss how we navigate the complexity of decarbonisation and sustainability in the built environment and its many related sectors.

The success of the podcast has seen it grow into a consultancy, Zero Ambitions Partners. The consultancy works with blue chip clients, public sector institutions, and niche-market innovators that operate in the built environment, advising about the development and delivery of sustainability strategy and how it should be communicated.

Hosted by Jeff Colley (Passive House Plus), Dan Hyde (Everything is User Experience) and Alex Blondin (Everything is User Experience).