Chatting with Australias most dialled in builder

In this episode, we sit down with Jackson from **Enduro Builders** in Adelaide to talk **high performance homes**, **energy efficient construction**, and what it actually takes to build houses that perform year after year. We recorded inside a **Passive House**, and once you feel that level of comfort and stability, it’s hard to accept what “normal” housing has been getting away with. Jackson has been building **certified Passive Houses** and energy efficient homes in **South Australia** for more than a decade, and he keeps it simple. No magic. No secret sauce. Just good design, tight detailing, and refusing to cut corners where it counts. We take a look at what makes a home feel consistently warm (or cool), how the building envelope does the heavy lifting, and why comfort is a measurable outcome, not a marketing line. One of the best parts of this chat is how practical Jackson is about targets. Not every project needs certification, and not every client wants the same thing. We talk **Passive House principles**, performance tiers, and how to choose the right materials and systems for the brief, the budget, and the climate. The point is not the badge. The point is **building performance**, durability, and homes people can actually afford to live in. We also get into the real-world negotiations builders face: design vs function, heating choices (including **hydronic heating** and wood fires), and what “cosy” really means in a well-built home. Plus, Jackson shares why he’s using **Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)** in his own build, and why **systems and processes** are the backbone of a sustainable building business. If you’re a builder, architect, designer, or homeowner who cares about **sustainable construction in Australia**, this episode will shift how you think about good building. 👇 CHAPTER MARKERS 👇 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Enduro Builders And Climasure 03:33 Scaling Passive House 05:50 Cost Premium Breakdown 07:54 Airtight Ceiling Strategy 11:01 Performance Solutions 16:20 Three Build Standards 17:34 Design Build Debate 22:56 Selling Comfort Not Tech 26:20 Rammed Earth Benefits 29:07 Solar Shading Tradeoffs 31:35 Hydronic Negotiations 33:52 Designing His Own Home 36:39 Forever House Priorities 37:48 Design Choices and Tradeoffs 38:50 Healthy Home and Fire Safety 41:28 CLT Structure and Insulation 43:43 Bushfire and Wind Detailing 44:51 Windows and Supply Chain 46:01 Interior Finishes and Joinery 47:29 Build Schedule and Winter Risks 51:43 Business Numbers and WIP 57:09 Coaching and Better Systems 01:03:27 Mindful Moment **LINKS:** Enduro Builders: https://www.endurobuilders.com.au/ Climasure: https://www.climasure.com.au/ **Our Sponsors:** Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclima MEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megt CR Kennedy - https://www.crkennedy.com.au/ **Connect with us on Instagram:** @themindfulbuilderpod **Connect with Hamish:** Instagram: @sanctumhomes Website: https://www.yoursanctum.com.au/www.yoursanctum.com.au/ **Connect with Matt:** Instagram: @carlandconstructions Website: https://www.carlandconstructions.com/www.carlandconstructions.com/