Porotherm, Passive House & The Truth About “Sustainable” Construction with Andy Oram

In this episode of The Heald Approach Podcast, Rebecca sits down with Andy Oram from EH Smith Builders Merchants for a bold, honest conversation about what real sustainability looks like in construction, beyond buzzwords and greenwashing.Andy brings 15 years of experience working on some of the first Passive House projects across England and Wales, introducing innovative materials to a market slow to change, and pushing for leadership decisions that make a real difference to both climate and people.Together, they dive into:The real reason the UK has lagged behind Europe on sustainable building methods.Why Passive House should be the standard, not the exception and why its “branding problem” is holding it back.The uncomfortable truth about “sustainability” in construction and how the industry often gets it wrong.Circular bricks, Porotherm clay blocks, and how genuine collaboration can save money and cut carbon.The role of leadership, culture, and mindset in shaping a truly sustainable future for construction.This is not a fluffy, box-ticking conversation. It’s an unfiltered look at what needs to change and where the opportunities really are if we’re serious about building a better industry.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ Why the term “sustainability” has lost its meaning – and how to reclaim it.✅ How leadership and decision-making at every level determine whether projects succeed or fail on their sustainability goals.✅ Two real-world stories that show what happens when collaboration works… and when it doesn’t.✅ Why innovation in materials is about more than eco-credentials – it’s about comfort, cost, and long-term resilience.Connect with Andy Oram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-oram-8234a320/💼 Smith Builders Merchants: https://www.ehsmith.co.uk/Liked this episode?If you’re ready to stop firefighting and start leading differently in construction, follow Rebecca for more bold conversations and practical insights on leadership, inclusion, and sustainable business growth.🎧 Subscribe to The Heald Approach Podcast and never miss an episode.💬 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear the truth about sustainable construction.