A podcast to help homeowners like you prepare for one of the biggest investments of your life
A space to help homeowners like you prepare for one of the biggest investments of your life
When we first started helping people build and renovate their homes across Melbourne, we quickly realised something. Most homeowners begin the journey full of excitement, but somewhere along the way, that excitement can turn into uncertainty. There’s just so much information out there, and not all of it is helpful.
Between budgets, designs, council approvals, and timelines, building a house can feel like a maze. Even with the best plans, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters — creating a home that feels right for you.
That’s one of the reasons we decided to start a podcast. Over the years, we’ve had hundreds of conversations with clients who were looking for honest answers and a bit of reassurance. The same questions kept coming up, and we knew there had to be a better way to share what we’ve learned.
So here it is. Welcome to the House of Meaning, a new podcast by the team at Sustainable Homes Melbourne — made for anyone who wants to build thoughtfully, live sustainably, and find clarity before making some of the biggest decisions of their life.
We’ve spent more than a decade designing and building sustainable homes in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. No two projects have ever been the same, but one thing has been consistent — every family wants a home that fits them perfectly. They want a space that’s comfortable, efficient, and built with care.
The challenge is that the path to getting there isn’t always clear. People often come to us unsure where to begin or who to trust. There’s a lot of noise in this industry, and it’s easy to get swept up in trends or advice that doesn’t actually suit your lifestyle or expectations.
This podcast is about changing that. It’s about slowing things down, talking through the process, and showing you how to make choices with confidence. We want you to walk away from each episode feeling more prepared and inspired, not more confused.
Every two weeks, we’ll sit down and unpack one part of the journey. Sometimes it’ll be a big topic like choosing the right designer or understanding your site. Other times, it’ll be small but important things, like how to get natural light into tricky spaces or how to manage your budget without cutting corners.
You’ll also hear stories from our own projects. We’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and the moments where small decisions made a big difference. We’ve always believed transparency helps people build better, and this is a chance to open up about the real side of construction — not just the glossy finish you see in magazines.
House of Meaning will feature many members of our team.
Simon Clark, our Director, will be the podcast’s host. Then there’s Toby Kolenaty-Wills, our Project Manager, who has a knack for solving tough on-site challenges. You’ll hear from Ash Pollard, our Head of Finance and Estimating, who keeps every number accurate down to the cent. And Kate Dunn, our Head of Design, will share her experience helping homeowners turn ideas into spaces that truly work.
Each episode will feel like sitting down with a team that’s been through it all — the good, the hard, and everything in between.
A home is more than a set of plans. It’s a reflection of your values, your lifestyle, and the legacy you want to leave behind. That belief has guided everything we do at Sustainable Homes Melbourne.
A meaningful home isn’t just built — it’s considered. It’s shaped around the way you live, natural light, the seasons, and the small details that make a space feel alive.
This podcast is an extension of that philosophy. It’s not just about insulation or floor plans, though we’ll cover those, too. It’s about purpose. About understanding what “home” means to you and designing around that.
If you’re planning a major renovation or building a new custom home, and you care about quality, comfort, and sustainability, then House of Meaning is for you.
Many of the people we work with are professionals — busy, thoughtful, and detail-oriented. They want to understand the process enough to feel in control, but they don’t have time to become experts themselves. They want to invest wisely, avoid costly mistakes, and create something lasting.
This podcast is designed for exactly that.
You won’t get fluff here. What you’ll get is practical advice, honest conversations, and a few stories that show what really happens when design meets construction. Some episodes will teach. Others might challenge how you think about building. But each one will aim to give you clarity.
You’ll also learn how sustainability and good design go hand in hand. We’ll talk about orientation, materials, airflow, and energy efficiency — not as buzzwords, but as tools to create homes that actually feel better to live in.
And if you’ve ever felt nervous about budgets or timelines, we’ll cover that too. Building well doesn’t mean spending endlessly. It means spending wisely.
If you’re about to start your building journey, or even if you’re still sketching out ideas on a napkin, we’d love for you to listen in. Think of this podcast as a companion — something to guide you, reassure you, and hopefully inspire you along the way.
You can find House of Meaning wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, share it with someone else who’s planning their build, and join us as we explore what it takes to create a home that’s not just functional, but meaningful.
Behind every great home is someone who cares. We hope that this podcast helps you become that person — informed, confident, and ready to build something truly special.
Launching House of Meaning is about giving back everything we’ve learned from years in this industry. It’s a way to start honest conversations about building well and living well.
Your home should tell your story. It should support the way you live, nurture the people you love, and remind you of what’s important every day.
That’s what we’ll talk about here — the kind of design that makes sense, the decisions that matter most, and the mindset that turns a house into a legacy.
If that sounds like a journey you’d like to take, we can’t wait to have you with us.