Sustainable Builders Yak
For Australian construction professionals building high-performing, sustainable homes and homeowners looking to create their own sustainable, high-performing home.
Sustainable Builders Yak
Ep #60 Building Science & The Air We Breathe: A Deep Dive with Sean Maxwell
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this episode, Sean Maxwell from ATMA (Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association) breaks down the essential intersection of building science, air tightness, and occupant health.
He dismantles the industry myth that "houses need to breathe," explaining why modern buildings must be airtight to stay durable while the people inside receive controlled, filtered air. Sean shares insights on the global growth of testing data, the shift in air tightness metrics, and why a well-ventilated, airtight home is the ultimate secret to a restorative night’s sleep.
Episode Highlights:
- The myth of the "breathing" house
- ATMA’s global data on air tightness
- Surface area vs. volume metrics
- The critical role of HRV/mechanical ventilation
- Controlling moisture and "drying" potential
- The luxury of quiet, fresh-air bedrooms
Guest: Sean Maxwell – ATMA / Scheme Manager
Company: ATMA (Air Tightness Testing and Measurement Association)
Company URL: https://www.atma.com.au/
Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
This episode is proudly brought to you by Craftwood Hardwood, Wunderbuild, and Powerhaus.