Were houses built better previously? Is craftsmanship dead? How do you build a new house with the soul of an old house? How do we inspire individuals to enter the trades? On this BUILD Original Series, we will follow Brent Hull, a nationally recognized authority on historic design, architecturally correct moldings, millwork and fine building as he dives into these topics. This series will focus on how the history of building components have shaped building practices today. Learn which historical elements are worth keeping in building today, and which elements are better left in the past.
Episode 1
Older houses are often thought to have been built better, yet one can’t deny the modern advances that have made houses more resilient. Is there a middle ground? How exactly do you apply modern advances...
Episode 2
Is craftsmanship dead? Join us as Brent visits the North Bennet Street School in Boston, Massachusetts and tells the unique story of shop craftsmen, Vasyl the Ukrainian wood carver.
Tha...
Episode 3
Covering the history of foundations and how they have progressed and evolved, including a study of foundation types and options, detailing foundations specific to Texas. How does site layout impact the project overall?&nb...
Episode 4
Studs, headers and joists seem routine today. How was framing different in the 1700s/1800s and has it improved since then? What design and craftsmanship elements can be seen in modern framing practices, and what may...
Episode 5
This episode will cover the history of electrical design and how electricity shaped building. How are the additions of classic features, like gas lanterns, best incorporated into a modern design?
T...
Episode 6
This episode will cover the history of plumbing and progression of materials, colors, layouts, and innovation throughout kitchens and bathrooms.
L...
Episode 7
Roofs have to put up with a lot: blazing sun, gale winds, driven rain. Snow and ice, heat and cold. Plus, the roof makes up a great part of a home’s curb appeal. What design considerations need to be mad...
Episode 8
The exterior walls of a home need to repel a variety of elements: air, water, and vapor. Each of them has an uncanny way of trying to find their way through the layers. What methods of control, in the form of external cladding, have been tried in ...
Episode 9
The concept behind a 100-year window is, quite simply, to make a window that will last and perform for 100 years. How did Brent’s idea come about, and exactly how are 100-year windows made? We’ll explore...
Episode 10
The history of air and water heating and cooling in America. How did its integration within a home shape how building was done in Texas, and elsewhere? How does the need for plumbing and ventilation influence a bui...
Episode 11
Flooring Like roofs, floors have had a long history of providing beauty and function to a home. What has changed in floors to improve both qualities? This episode takes a deep dive into wood flooring, which has wit...
Episode 12
Trim is an often-overlooked part of a house’s appeal and measurement of craftsmanship, especially in regards to longevity. What makes some trim decisions better than others? We’ll explore how craftsmanship ma...
