New House Old Soul
S1E2 The Lost Art of Building: Craft, Proportion, and Permanence
Season 1, Episode 2
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18m
Brent Hull explores the principles of craftsmanship that once defined how homes were built—and why those principles are still essential today. The episode examines traditional skills such as hand carving, custom milling, and precise joinery, along with the education systems that preserve them through disciplines like furniture making and instrument building. Brent explains how proportion, mockups, and historical building methods prioritize quality over speed or cost, allowing clients to truly understand a design before it is built. By reviving these practices, builders can create homes that endure both structurally and aesthetically, rooted in care, intention, and time-tested skill.
Up Next in Season 1
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S1E3 Beneath It All: Foundations That...
Brent Hull looks beneath the surface to examine the role foundations play in giving a new home lasting credibility. Tracing the evolution of American foundations—from stone and brick to poured concrete—the episode explains how structural needs, materials, and building practices have changed over ...
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S1E4 From Timber to Engineered: How F...
Brent Hull examines the evolution of residential framing—from early timber construction and balloon framing to the engineered systems used in modern homes. The episode explains how traditional timber framing relied on large sections and joinery to create durable structures, while balloon framing ...
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S1E5 From Gaslight to Edison: How Ele...
Brent Hull traces the evolution of residential lighting from 19th-century gas lamps to early electrical systems and the lasting impact those transitions have on how houses are built today. The episode explores the rivalry between AC and DC power, changes in wiring methods, and why understanding t...
