Talking Home Renovations with the House Maven

Architect Lori Hewitt-Hiller of McIntosh Poris Architects in Birmingham, Michigan describes three rounds of renovation to her 1964 Irving Tabachman-designed mid-century modern home, purchased in 2010 when Detroit real estate was at rock bottom.

Landscape designer Steve Griggs, author of Straight Dirt and principal of Steve Griggs Design in the New York tri-state area, joins host Katherine McPhail to discuss the value of professional landscape planning.

Landscape architect and residential designer Jake Krakowski of JWK Design in Greenville, South Carolina explains how homeowners can find, vet, and hire the right design professional.

Architect and building scientist Christine Williamson, founder of the Building Science Fight Club, explains to host Katherine McPhail why insulation choices are context-dependent rather than universally 'good' or 'bad.' Williamson frames condensation control as the central challenge, offering three theoretical solutions and explaining why exterior insulation is the most reliable but most expensive approach.

Attorney and comedian Mitra Shari recounts how she paid a Portland contractor $75,000 upfront in 2006 for a condo renovation, lost virtually all of it when he declared bankruptcy, and then navigated a second incompetent contractor before living without a kitchen for over a year.

Architect Katharine MacPhail introduces Season 4, focusing on renovating old houses with new technologies, and consults expert Dave Rademacher on design dilemmas.