S1E13: The Building Science Behind Sustainable Architecture with Emily Mottram

Houses don’t need to breathe. People need to breathe. Houses on the other hand, need to dry. These are the wise words of today’s guest, Emily Mottram. Emily is an architect and principal of Mottram Architecture. She is a building science educator, co-host on “The BS & Beer Show” and hosts a monthly podcast “E3 - Energy and Efficiency with Emily,” focusing on building science, architecture and female entrepreneurship.

Emily is a wealth of knowledge! She shares her journey from growing up in a farming community to becoming a leading expert in sustainable architecture and building science. We dive into various aspects of building science, including air quality, material selection, and the importance of air sealing.

Emily offers practical tips for homeowners on how to engage with architects and builders to achieve a healthy and sustainable home. We also discuss the challenges and considerations for production builds and renovations, and Emily highlights the importance of communication and collaboration in the design and building process. And stick around until the end for a little bit of information about a networking group for all the building science gurus and/or homeowners with questions that may be meeting up near you!

In this episode, we’re chatting about:

• Why spray foam is NOT the cure all solution for building issues
• Creating a passive home in a cold climate like Maine versus a hot climate like Texas
• The water control layer, air control layer, vapor control layer, and thermal control layer
• How to navigate the process of building with a production home
• De-stigmatizing renting property versus buying

Connect with Emily:

• Linkedin
• Check out her website
• Instagram

Connect with me: