John Butler
@jbsustbuild.bsky.social
Sustainable Building Consultancy.
Geek for Hire. Passivhaus, Low-carbon building & retrofit. Late diagnosed autistic. He/him.
For the music/performance version of me go to @the-woodlouse.bsky.social
https://www.sustainablebuildconsultancy.com
Geek for Hire. Passivhaus, Low-carbon building & retrofit. Late diagnosed autistic. He/him.
For the music/performance version of me go to @the-woodlouse.bsky.social
https://www.sustainablebuildconsultancy.com
Pinned
John Butler
@jbsustbuild.bsky.social
· Mar 24
Heads-up that I've changed my bluesky handle to @jbsustbuild.bsky.social from @thewoodlouse.bsky.social to avoid confusion with my creative alter ego (@the-woodlouse.bsky.social). It's always possible that this will make things worse, but at least I've tried!
This probably belongs here, really.
I've just used a pivot table for the first time. I think my life will be forever changed by this moment.
I mean, I've heard people eulogise about how useful they are but somehow I never tried it until now. Data sorted. Tables clear. Chart production hugely simplified. HALLELUJAH!
I mean, I've heard people eulogise about how useful they are but somehow I never tried it until now. Data sorted. Tables clear. Chart production hugely simplified. HALLELUJAH!
a man in a suit and tie says " i have seen the light " in front of a stained glass window
ALT: a man in a suit and tie says " i have seen the light " in front of a stained glass window
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:35 PM
This probably belongs here, really.
Update: social sustainability included at building and works level, not much (anything?) in Standards for construction product level, which is disappointing. Is there anything at raw material sourcing level? About to look.
Writing some course material about sustainable building materials. Started writing that the standard LCA approach was detailed on environmental impact but ignored social sustainability. Thought: must check this is true. It is NOT! The framework standard very much includes social sustainability
January 15, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Update: social sustainability included at building and works level, not much (anything?) in Standards for construction product level, which is disappointing. Is there anything at raw material sourcing level? About to look.
Writing some course material about sustainable building materials. Started writing that the standard LCA approach was detailed on environmental impact but ignored social sustainability. Thought: must check this is true. It is NOT! The framework standard very much includes social sustainability
January 15, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Writing some course material about sustainable building materials. Started writing that the standard LCA approach was detailed on environmental impact but ignored social sustainability. Thought: must check this is true. It is NOT! The framework standard very much includes social sustainability
I can feel the draught coming in around the outside of my window frames. This house is only five years old. To fix this properly I'd need to hack into the plaster all around each window and remove the cills. Such invasive work shouldn't be needed in new houses, but frequently is.
December 5, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I can feel the draught coming in around the outside of my window frames. This house is only five years old. To fix this properly I'd need to hack into the plaster all around each window and remove the cills. Such invasive work shouldn't be needed in new houses, but frequently is.
Reposted by John Butler
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
November 30, 2025 at 9:57 AM
This is the most alarming story I’ve read today. Giving up the fight before it’s started
Sees local newspaper post about rising sea levels. Don’tLookAtTheComments Don’tLookAtTheComments Don’tLookAtTheComments.
Looks at the comments.
AAAARGH!
Looks at the comments.
AAAARGH!
November 30, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Sees local newspaper post about rising sea levels. Don’tLookAtTheComments Don’tLookAtTheComments Don’tLookAtTheComments.
Looks at the comments.
AAAARGH!
Looks at the comments.
AAAARGH!
Reposted by John Butler
I’ve very much neglected this account. General life pondering and rubbish-talking now happen on my other account. Not sure how many of the Passivhaus/low-carbon/low-impact construction people are still active on here, but just in case: Hello! [waves].
October 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM
I’ve very much neglected this account. General life pondering and rubbish-talking now happen on my other account. Not sure how many of the Passivhaus/low-carbon/low-impact construction people are still active on here, but just in case: Hello! [waves].
Reposted by John Butler
The UK still needs HS2, delivered in full. There's no viable alternative.
Me, from years back, making this point:
Me, from years back, making this point:
July 15, 2025 at 9:03 AM
The UK still needs HS2, delivered in full. There's no viable alternative.
Me, from years back, making this point:
Me, from years back, making this point:
For better or worse I've shared this from @thedailytism.com on my LinkedIn so I might as well share it here too. I am a sensible professional consultant. I'm also a creator of darkly funny musical shows about zombies (@the-woodlouse.bsky.social ). Both are true! thedailytism.com/advertorial-...
Advertorial: Whaaat? This cishet autistic white dude with beard actually has Edinburgh show worth seeing
A cisgender, heterosexual autistic white guy with a beard has wowed commentators by having an Edinburgh Fringe show that people actually want to go and see on purpose, it has been claimed. Do Zombies...
thedailytism.com
July 8, 2025 at 2:54 PM
For better or worse I've shared this from @thedailytism.com on my LinkedIn so I might as well share it here too. I am a sensible professional consultant. I'm also a creator of darkly funny musical shows about zombies (@the-woodlouse.bsky.social ). Both are true! thedailytism.com/advertorial-...
It's national Get That Slightly Squeaky Fan Out of the Loft Day for those of use that don't live in a house where overheating risk was properly considered. It's already 24° in my office but the air movement from the fan helps it feel more comfortable, squeak not withstanding.
June 30, 2025 at 9:55 AM
It's national Get That Slightly Squeaky Fan Out of the Loft Day for those of use that don't live in a house where overheating risk was properly considered. It's already 24° in my office but the air movement from the fan helps it feel more comfortable, squeak not withstanding.
Reposted by John Butler
This episode is amazing. If you want to know what it’s actually like being autistic (as opposed to the stereotypes) it’s a must-listen. I’m autistic & this episode is just about the most validating thing I’ve listened too, ever.
Also, effing funny. Also the best (wholly justified) righteous rants.
Also, effing funny. Also the best (wholly justified) righteous rants.
Have you caught up with the latest episode of Autistic Women Oversharing? It’s us vs the AQ test and BOY do we have some feelings!
Play along at home!
linktr.ee/thedailytism
Play along at home!
linktr.ee/thedailytism
June 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
This episode is amazing. If you want to know what it’s actually like being autistic (as opposed to the stereotypes) it’s a must-listen. I’m autistic & this episode is just about the most validating thing I’ve listened too, ever.
Also, effing funny. Also the best (wholly justified) righteous rants.
Also, effing funny. Also the best (wholly justified) righteous rants.
This!
I wish the UK gov would focus on tangible improvement of public services and people's lives instead of blaming immigrants.
Where is the positive vision for this country?
Where is the positive vision for this country?
a man in a suit is smoking a cigarette and holding a jacket .
Alt: a man in a suit is smoking a cigarette and holding a jacket .
media.tenor.com
May 12, 2025 at 8:09 PM
This!
Migrants have not done “incalculable damage to our society”. People scapegoating, othering, and encouraging hatred of migrants (and others) *have* done that.
May 12, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Migrants have not done “incalculable damage to our society”. People scapegoating, othering, and encouraging hatred of migrants (and others) *have* done that.
Reposted by John Butler
UK MPs:
1. The Supreme Court ruling is not "the law", nor has it changed existing legislation.
2. The EHRC's interim update is also not "the law". It isn't even "guidance".
3. The upcoming EHRC guidance, likewise, is not "the law". Again, the legislation hasn't changed.
1/
1. The Supreme Court ruling is not "the law", nor has it changed existing legislation.
2. The EHRC's interim update is also not "the law". It isn't even "guidance".
3. The upcoming EHRC guidance, likewise, is not "the law". Again, the legislation hasn't changed.
1/
May 1, 2025 at 12:09 PM
UK MPs:
1. The Supreme Court ruling is not "the law", nor has it changed existing legislation.
2. The EHRC's interim update is also not "the law". It isn't even "guidance".
3. The upcoming EHRC guidance, likewise, is not "the law". Again, the legislation hasn't changed.
1/
1. The Supreme Court ruling is not "the law", nor has it changed existing legislation.
2. The EHRC's interim update is also not "the law". It isn't even "guidance".
3. The upcoming EHRC guidance, likewise, is not "the law". Again, the legislation hasn't changed.
1/
Reposted by John Butler
Love this chart
This chart is internet-famous since Steve Jobs allegedly looooooved it. It shows how much energy (measured in calories) is needed to move objects by weight. A human on a bicycle is outrageously energy efficient. Cycling is the king of transportation!
April 28, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Love this chart
Good things:
1. Finally able to concentrate on work again enough to make progress through the first of several late reports
2. Coffee break in the sun outside my back door, staring at the sky
3. See my first swift of the year gliding about above
4. See a Kite (the bird variety) drifting about above
1. Finally able to concentrate on work again enough to make progress through the first of several late reports
2. Coffee break in the sun outside my back door, staring at the sky
3. See my first swift of the year gliding about above
4. See a Kite (the bird variety) drifting about above
April 28, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Good things:
1. Finally able to concentrate on work again enough to make progress through the first of several late reports
2. Coffee break in the sun outside my back door, staring at the sky
3. See my first swift of the year gliding about above
4. See a Kite (the bird variety) drifting about above
1. Finally able to concentrate on work again enough to make progress through the first of several late reports
2. Coffee break in the sun outside my back door, staring at the sky
3. See my first swift of the year gliding about above
4. See a Kite (the bird variety) drifting about above
Workspace officially decommissioned until after house move next week! Hopefully up and running again with minimal delay. Brace, brace.
April 4, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Workspace officially decommissioned until after house move next week! Hopefully up and running again with minimal delay. Brace, brace.
Reposted by John Butler
This analogy definitely works if your kid has a disability or health condition that means they can’t get a Saturday job and if they don’t get a Saturday job, you let your kid starve to death
Jeez. Treasury Secretary Darren Jones compares Labour's welfare cuts to cutting his kids' pocket money when explaining the Government's impact assessment
"I'm going to cut your pocket money by £10 a week but you have to go and get a Saturday job"
"I'm going to cut your pocket money by £10 a week but you have to go and get a Saturday job"
March 27, 2025 at 8:55 AM
This analogy definitely works if your kid has a disability or health condition that means they can’t get a Saturday job and if they don’t get a Saturday job, you let your kid starve to death
The recording of my recent webinar is now up. It's a an overview of some key retrofit physics and what that means practically onsite for installers and for successful low energy retrofit.
youtu.be/ca1rPFt51a4?...
youtu.be/ca1rPFt51a4?...
Dorset Retrofit Reimagined: Building Skills for a Retrofit Future - Webinar 2
YouTube video by Dorset CAN
youtu.be
March 26, 2025 at 10:12 AM
The recording of my recent webinar is now up. It's a an overview of some key retrofit physics and what that means practically onsite for installers and for successful low energy retrofit.
youtu.be/ca1rPFt51a4?...
youtu.be/ca1rPFt51a4?...
SBUK’s latest webinar, this lunchtime
🚨 Today – 1300 (GMT)
Timber Framing for Straw Bale Construction 🪵📐🏗️
Designing timber frames for straw bale buildings is a skill - Hawkland brings real-world experience to the table.
🎟️ Register here: bit.ly/4hJkGr2
#strawbuilding #timberframing #timber #naturalbuilding #biobasedmaterials
Timber Framing for Straw Bale Construction 🪵📐🏗️
Designing timber frames for straw bale buildings is a skill - Hawkland brings real-world experience to the table.
🎟️ Register here: bit.ly/4hJkGr2
#strawbuilding #timberframing #timber #naturalbuilding #biobasedmaterials
March 25, 2025 at 9:23 AM
SBUK’s latest webinar, this lunchtime
Heads-up that I've changed my bluesky handle to @jbsustbuild.bsky.social from @thewoodlouse.bsky.social to avoid confusion with my creative alter ego (@the-woodlouse.bsky.social). It's always possible that this will make things worse, but at least I've tried!
March 24, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Heads-up that I've changed my bluesky handle to @jbsustbuild.bsky.social from @thewoodlouse.bsky.social to avoid confusion with my creative alter ego (@the-woodlouse.bsky.social). It's always possible that this will make things worse, but at least I've tried!
Potentially combinations of them all, depending on the day.
What's your early Spring look?
1. pollen zombie
2. pale sea witch
3. frazzled garden gnome
4. feral forest Muppet
1. pollen zombie
2. pale sea witch
3. frazzled garden gnome
4. feral forest Muppet
March 24, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Potentially combinations of them all, depending on the day.
Watching a very depressing but incredibly useful smoke test video of a post retrofit house. Lots of leakage at floor to wall junction (suspect leakage through floor, and wall not properly sealed to floor), and a fair bit around windows (both through window seals, and join of window to building).
March 18, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Watching a very depressing but incredibly useful smoke test video of a post retrofit house. Lots of leakage at floor to wall junction (suspect leakage through floor, and wall not properly sealed to floor), and a fair bit around windows (both through window seals, and join of window to building).
Outstanding work here from @thedailytism.bsky.social
“You just seem kind of quirky, you know? Different. Sweet. I wouldn’t say autistic, though.” Harrington continued. “Is it me, or is she getting progressively more purple? And why are her fists clenched?”
You don’t look autistic! Woman looking increasingly pissed off now
An autistic woman who was told that she “doesn’t look autistic” by a man she met eight minutes ago is looking more and more furious by the minute, it has been rumoured. Emma Bernard, 27, who endured...
thedailytism.com
March 13, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Outstanding work here from @thedailytism.bsky.social