Resources for your New Construction Healthy Home Journey

If you have arrived at this page, you likely sent us an email looking for guidance as you navigate your journey in planning the new construction of your healthy home. I have compiled several (free and paid) resources that can educate you on different aspects of the design and construction process. While these resources do not replace working with professionals, they are a great place to start.

Note: some of the links listed may be affiliate links.

If you are wondering how I put this list together, here’s what informed me: As I have navigated my own home planning and construction journey, I found the resources listed here to be useful. But, there are a few listed here that I have NOT had a chance to explore and I note that. I listed them because they might be helpful for you.

I hope you dig into this list, but if you find it a bit overwhelming, subscribe to our newsletter and you will be the first to know when I launch my course: Homeowner Preparation for Planning Your Healthy Home

Wishing you health, Noralinda Ureste - Flourish Here Retreat

 

Podcasts

Podcasts are such a great way to educate yourself when you are on the go. Here are some my favorites.

 

Social media Accounts

These are accounts I follow and learn form. They share some great insight in the design and construction of homes.

 

Online reSources

These are some great resources that will help you as you educate yourself on materials, building science, and home construction.

 

Books Worth Reading

The books I list here are the ones I feel are most helpful for a homeowner who wants to build a healthy home. You don’t have to read all of these, but picking one or two would help you as you try to figure things out. Also, they don't replace working with a professional. Every site, climate, homeowner requires something different.

 

Books on my reading list

While I have not read these books, they come highly recommended by colleagues.

  • Corinne Segura provides so much information on her website, My Chemical-free House, I can only imagine the depth of information that she provides here. Hoping to pick this one up soon.

    Book: https://amzn.to/4mNEH2l

  • Musing of an Energy Nerd, written by Green Building Advisor contributor. I have heard a lot of great things about this book and hope to read it soon.

    Book: https://amzn.to/4lBjYOs

  • I have heard a lot of great things about this book. A House Needs to Breathe, or does it? is written by building scientist Allison Bailles of Energy Vanguard to dispel some of the myths around many home building practices.

    Book: https://amzn.to/4mRlj4I

  • My respect for Building Biologist, John Banta, is immense. I look forward to reading his latest book, Mold Controlled.

    Book: https://amzn.to/4mRlj4I

 

  • Build Your Healthy Home, started by Building Science educator Jen Jobart, currently offers 2 separate courses to educate homeowners who want to build a healthy home. Her courses address mold, EMFs and materials. It is very comprehensive and is delivered in text format, with audio coming soon. I love the companion workbook. It's something a homeowner could show professionals they are interested in working with.

    Website: https://www.buildyourhealthyhome.com

  • The courses at the Building Biology Institute are meant for professionals, but many homeowners who want to dig into the details of building a healthy home enroll in these courses also. They are thorough, but do not replace working with professionals. Many courses are delivered in text format and some have accompany video.

    Website: https://buildingbiologyinstitute.org

  • Created by licensed architect Cheryl Ciecko, Avoiding Mold offers courses and a membership program that educates homeowners on construction details that will help them avoid mold in their home. The course is delivered in video format.

    Website: https://www.avoidingmold.com

  • Building Science for Architects, created by architect and building scientist Christina Williamson, is one of my favorite courses. While this course is made for architects, I felt it really helped me to understand the forces that are exerted on a building and the how they can lead to non-structural damage of a building. The course is delivered in video format.

    Website: https://www.buildingsciencefightclub.com

  • Amelia Lee, the architect behind Undercover Architect, offers pre-construction education for homeowners. While I have not enrolled in her HOME Method program, I have enrolled in her non-mentored DIY courses. They are rich with insight and sound advice. It’s definitely information I wish I had prior to starting our retreat. She delivers each course in video format. Note, she is Australian, so there are a few terminology discrepancies if you are American.

    Website: https://undercoverarchitect.com

  • If you want to learn more about Pretty Good House framework, this is essentially the video version presented by Fine Home Building and taught by Architect Emily Mottram, one of the authors of Pretty Good House. The Sustainable Home Building Accelerator is delivered in video format. I have not taken this course, so I am unable to give first hand knowledge.

    Website: https://finehomebuilding.mykajabi.com/sustainable-home-building-accelerator-series-sept-2023

  • I have not enrolled in this course, but I wanted to put it on the list. Creator, Christine Cimabue of Holistic Homes, presents her pre-construction framework to get homeowners started off on the right foot as they start their home design journey. Her course is delivered through video and PDF supplements.

    Website: https://www.byholistichomes.com/freshstart

  • Ashley Spanovich of Awakening Spaces is a licensed Interior Designer, triple-certified Building Biologist, and integrative health coach. She offers her Conscious Construction Container, also with several guides and DIY courses. While I have not been a student of her courses, Ashley has many credentials and vast experience in the Healthy Building space.

    Website: https://awakeningspaces.com/offerings

  • Architect Kate Hamblet of Balanced Architecture, offers The Sustainable Home Blueprint as a step-by-step guide for a sustainable and healthy home. I am not a student of this course, but Kate does offer so much great advice on her podcast, so I would guess her courses would be just as great.

    Website: https://balancedarchitecture.mykajabi.com/store

Online Courses and Programs

I have worked through some of these courses and bought some of these digital products, and found them useful. Note though, they do not replace working with building and construction professionals.

 

Guides & Checklists

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • The Builder Brigade Checklists are a robust set of checklists to help you keep track of the hundreds of decisions you will be making as you plan the design and construction of your home. While this is not healthy home focused, there are many high performance details called out on the lists. But note, this list is not climate specific. I really love how many of the checklist items are linked to pictures, so you understand what they are referring to. They also provide periodic updates for free.

    Website: https://builderbrigade.com

  • Organization is key for any new construction. Etsy lists several new home construction planners. While I have not purchased any listed, a planner could help you get started on the right foot

  • Cristina Greenfield of Conscious Healthy Home is a Lawyer, Certified Passive House Tradesperson and Building Biology Advocate. She has put together 2 guides that will help you with your search for a builder. While I have not purchased these guides, Cristina a very knowledgeable about the home building process and the guides would likely be robust.

    10 Critical Questions: Builder Edition: https://www.conscioushealthyhome.com/store/p/10-critical-questions-builder-edition

    Guide to Creating Your Builder Short List: https://www.conscioushealthyhome.com/store/p/guide-to-creating-your-builder-short-list