Juraj Mikurcik
@jurajmikurcik.bsky.social
Passivhaus architect. Bio-based materials. UK support for ecococon.eu straw panels. Often taking close-up photos of sheds on bike rides
Living in a 100% electric passivhaus with zero energy bills, see the blog: oldholloway.wordpress.com
Living in a 100% electric passivhaus with zero energy bills, see the blog: oldholloway.wordpress.com
🤯
Since 2011 the fuel duty freeze has cost the Treasury £133 billion.
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
This huge amount could have paid for lower train and bus fares, better stations, safer walking, wheeling and cycling and much more!
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Rachel Reeves will freeze fuel duty to dodge ‘political suicide’
The chancellor will also highlight a rise in the minimum wage and plans to cut energy bills as she tries to win over voters by focusing on cost of living
www.thetimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:59 PM
🤯
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
I am a straw builder because it's fun and 1000% worth the effort.
The future is right here and it's comfy and regenerative.
I will share my knowledge about building passive house modules and retrofit #strawhouse panels on the 1. December. It's free. You can do this. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The future is right here and it's comfy and regenerative.
I will share my knowledge about building passive house modules and retrofit #strawhouse panels on the 1. December. It's free. You can do this. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
November 25, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I am a straw builder because it's fun and 1000% worth the effort.
The future is right here and it's comfy and regenerative.
I will share my knowledge about building passive house modules and retrofit #strawhouse panels on the 1. December. It's free. You can do this. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
The future is right here and it's comfy and regenerative.
I will share my knowledge about building passive house modules and retrofit #strawhouse panels on the 1. December. It's free. You can do this. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Drying clothes indoors in winter? How SHOCKING!!!
Do you know what causes mould indoors? Piss poor buildings with inadequate insulation and ventilation. If that can't be improved easily, use dehumidifiers or tumble driers. But even people produce about 2.5 litres of moisture per day, so...🤷
Do you know what causes mould indoors? Piss poor buildings with inadequate insulation and ventilation. If that can't be improved easily, use dehumidifiers or tumble driers. But even people produce about 2.5 litres of moisture per day, so...🤷
Recent research showed that a huge proportion (87%) of Brits rely on hanging wet clothes inside their homes – and they’re unknowingly causing serious issues.
A study by the University of Manchester found that drying a wet load of washing indoors can release two litres of water into your home.
A study by the University of Manchester found that drying a wet load of washing indoors can release two litres of water into your home.
The mould truth: Expert warns Brits of one common habit that brings damp into their homes
As winter returns, and households dry laundry indoors, new research suggests this is contributing to dangerous mould problems in the home
kentandsurreybylines.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Drying clothes indoors in winter? How SHOCKING!!!
Do you know what causes mould indoors? Piss poor buildings with inadequate insulation and ventilation. If that can't be improved easily, use dehumidifiers or tumble driers. But even people produce about 2.5 litres of moisture per day, so...🤷
Do you know what causes mould indoors? Piss poor buildings with inadequate insulation and ventilation. If that can't be improved easily, use dehumidifiers or tumble driers. But even people produce about 2.5 litres of moisture per day, so...🤷
I'm in the "it depends' camp 😀
It used to be that if you were trying to reduce carbon emissions, you insulated and sealed, what's called "fabric first." Now that we have heat pumps, many are questioning whether fabric-first was the right approach. It's complicated... lloydalter.substack.com/p/what-the-h...
What the hell happened to "Fabric First?"
A very good question. Has heatpumpification crushed insulation?
lloydalter.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I'm in the "it depends' camp 😀
Good.
George Clarke wants homeowners and businesses to shun ‘dishonest’ firms Arconic, Kingspan and Celotex
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
George Clarke wants homeowners and businesses to shun ‘dishonest’ firms Arconic, Kingspan and Celotex
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Architect George Clarke calls for boycott of firms criticised by Grenfell inquiry
TV personality wants homeowners and businesses to shun ‘dishonest’ firms Arconic, Kingspan and Celotex
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Good.
George Clarke wants homeowners and businesses to shun ‘dishonest’ firms Arconic, Kingspan and Celotex
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
George Clarke wants homeowners and businesses to shun ‘dishonest’ firms Arconic, Kingspan and Celotex
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
What do you do on a dreich Saturday? Draw some suspended timber floor details of course!
November 22, 2025 at 5:04 PM
What do you do on a dreich Saturday? Draw some suspended timber floor details of course!
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... this wide-ranging conversation is oh so good. Rebanks @herdyshepherd.bsky.social is able with great, grounded eloquence to say it as it is. If You think #wendellberry is good - listen to this. Not sure about everything in Rajan’s concluding summary but generally good.
Radical with Amol Rajan - Beyond Ultra-Processed Foods: Can Farmers Fix Our Health and the Planet? (James Rebanks) - BBC Sounds
James Rebanks on how to build a secure, sustainable and healthy food system.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 8:12 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... this wide-ranging conversation is oh so good. Rebanks @herdyshepherd.bsky.social is able with great, grounded eloquence to say it as it is. If You think #wendellberry is good - listen to this. Not sure about everything in Rajan’s concluding summary but generally good.
Does he want to rejoin the EU? 🇪🇺
“Yes."
So refreshing for a politician to give a straight answer to a simple question 💚
“Yes."
So refreshing for a politician to give a straight answer to a simple question 💚
"You can agree or disagree with him, but Polanski does not pretend to be something he is not.
He is unusually willing for a politician to give a straight answer to questions.
Does he want to rejoin the EU? “Yes."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
He is unusually willing for a politician to give a straight answer to questions.
Does he want to rejoin the EU? “Yes."
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Zack Polanski: ‘People will have to find some other way to hurt me’ | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 22, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Does he want to rejoin the EU? 🇪🇺
“Yes."
So refreshing for a politician to give a straight answer to a simple question 💚
“Yes."
So refreshing for a politician to give a straight answer to a simple question 💚
At first glance I thought it was 100% AI generated BS but looks like Brum's going to be Heatherwick'd 🤦
Heatherwick Studio and Manica Architecture have revealed their designs for Birmingham City FC’s new stadium, featuring 12 chimney-like roof supports
Heatherwick and Manica reveal plans for ‘12-chimneys’ Birmingham City stadium
Heatherwick and Manica reveal plans for ‘12-chimneys’ Birmingham City stadium
www.architectsjournal.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 5:38 PM
At first glance I thought it was 100% AI generated BS but looks like Brum's going to be Heatherwick'd 🤦
Got to love the warm rays of sunshine first thing in the morning
November 21, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Got to love the warm rays of sunshine first thing in the morning
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
At the Budget, the Green Party's message is clear: Cut Bills. Tax Billionaires.
November 19, 2025 at 8:20 AM
At the Budget, the Green Party's message is clear: Cut Bills. Tax Billionaires.
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
Strictly speaking, it's not a façade that's cracking up at 432 Park Ave. in NYC; it's a "load-bearing, concrete exoskeleton." This makes the problem much harder to fix. The engineers called it back in 2012, but hubris and vanity overruled them. lloydalter.substack.com/p/schadenfre...
SchadenfreudeTower in New York City is cracking up
The problems at 432 Park Avenue never end.
lloydalter.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Strictly speaking, it's not a façade that's cracking up at 432 Park Ave. in NYC; it's a "load-bearing, concrete exoskeleton." This makes the problem much harder to fix. The engineers called it back in 2012, but hubris and vanity overruled them. lloydalter.substack.com/p/schadenfre...
First snow of the season ❄️
November 19, 2025 at 10:17 AM
First snow of the season ❄️
We need more ‘experiments in neglect’ especially when it comes to nature. Is that right @irishrainforest.bsky.social ?
November 18, 2025 at 9:35 AM
We need more ‘experiments in neglect’ especially when it comes to nature. Is that right @irishrainforest.bsky.social ?
Has the AI bubble burst?
November 18, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Has the AI bubble burst?
Enjoyed a stroll around sunny Bristol yesterday. Brunel riding a Brompton was probably my favourite
November 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Enjoyed a stroll around sunny Bristol yesterday. Brunel riding a Brompton was probably my favourite
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
Let's take a break from our usual programming to discuss some history and current events in my adopted country, Slovakia.
Today we commemorate the Velvet Revolution of former Czechoslovakia, which began on November 17, 1989.
🧵
Today we commemorate the Velvet Revolution of former Czechoslovakia, which began on November 17, 1989.
🧵
November 17, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Let's take a break from our usual programming to discuss some history and current events in my adopted country, Slovakia.
Today we commemorate the Velvet Revolution of former Czechoslovakia, which began on November 17, 1989.
🧵
Today we commemorate the Velvet Revolution of former Czechoslovakia, which began on November 17, 1989.
🧵
Easy as 1 - 2 - 3
A timelapse of construction of 12 terraced houses in Denmark made from @ecococon.bsky.social prefab straw panels
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnu8...
A timelapse of construction of 12 terraced houses in Denmark made from @ecococon.bsky.social prefab straw panels
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnu8...
12 boliger på 1 minut og 38 sekunder
YouTube video by Boligbyggeri fra 4 til 1 planet
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Easy as 1 - 2 - 3
A timelapse of construction of 12 terraced houses in Denmark made from @ecococon.bsky.social prefab straw panels
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnu8...
A timelapse of construction of 12 terraced houses in Denmark made from @ecococon.bsky.social prefab straw panels
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnu8...
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
Humans are migrants. By nature.
November 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Humans are migrants. By nature.
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
Humans literally walked out of Africa to people the globe. You can't freeze borders unilaterally. Climate change is going to create millions more refugees. We need to treat people with compassion & meet our international obligations. Let them work immediately. The UK needs workers & the tax income.
November 17, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Humans literally walked out of Africa to people the globe. You can't freeze borders unilaterally. Climate change is going to create millions more refugees. We need to treat people with compassion & meet our international obligations. Let them work immediately. The UK needs workers & the tax income.
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
It really is worth taking the time to hear from people like “Mary,” who fled from Zimbabwe 20 years ago, to understand what life is like when the law denies you the chance to call the country where you’ve made your life home
In 2023 @tom-clark.bsky.social got me to write a chapter for his book on UK poverty about how immigration limbo, which Labour wants more of, makes people destitute. It was the most distressing piece I've ever worked on. We sent a copy to every MP. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/society/6081...
Destitute by design: trapped in the immigration system
Migration policy is not only failing people forced to arrive in Britain by
boats. In an extract from a new edited volume, Daniel Trilling reports on t...
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
It really is worth taking the time to hear from people like “Mary,” who fled from Zimbabwe 20 years ago, to understand what life is like when the law denies you the chance to call the country where you’ve made your life home
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
Your periodic reminder that climate change means levels of migration will increase sharply in the coming years and we either find an effective and humane way to manage that or we invite ever more chaos and suffering.
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Your periodic reminder that climate change means levels of migration will increase sharply in the coming years and we either find an effective and humane way to manage that or we invite ever more chaos and suffering.
Humans are migrants. By nature.
November 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Humans are migrants. By nature.
Reposted by Juraj Mikurcik
🌍 42.5m refugees
Over 70% of them are hosted by low- and middle-income countries.
🇬🇧 548k refugees
= 0.78% of the UK population.
It is not refugees who tear our country apart, it is the mainstreaming of far right policies. And that’s a risk to all of us.
My letter to my MP.
#asylum #Mahmood
🧵
Over 70% of them are hosted by low- and middle-income countries.
🇬🇧 548k refugees
= 0.78% of the UK population.
It is not refugees who tear our country apart, it is the mainstreaming of far right policies. And that’s a risk to all of us.
My letter to my MP.
#asylum #Mahmood
🧵
![Dear [my MP’s name],
As the Home Secretary prepares to announce sweeping changes to the UK’s asylum system, I see it as both my duty as a citizen and responsibility as a migration expert to do all I can to urge policymakers to oppose the proposals—not only for what they will do to refugees, though that is the first concern, but also for what they will mean for all of us and the future society we live in.
That is why I am writing to you as my MP. This letter explains why I consider the need to oppose the Home Secretary’s proposals urgent and, at the most fundamental level, in the national and your constituents’ interest.
I was born in Germany, a country whose history taught me how quickly societies can go down dark paths; how quickly our leaders can fail in the choices they make. But the history of the displacement of people that the Nazi regime was responsible for also shaped my understanding of why refugee movements occur—and why our response to any of them can never compromise what are, and must always be, universal human rights.
Which is why what is happening in the UK now is so deeply alarming.
A manufactured crisis
As of June 2025, there were 42.5 million refugees globally. Over 70% of them are hosted by low- and middle-income countries; most of them immediate neighbours. Overall, five countries—Colombia, Germany, Türkiye, Iran and Uganda—host a third of the total number of refugees; Germany is the main host in the EU, hosting 2.7 million.
The UK hosts 548,000 refugees; that is 0.78% of the UK population. About 110,000 people are in receipt of asylum support; that is 0.15% of the UK population.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bru4h6s37w4hfmwhetu7veye/bafkreidmewc5timbx7nh57qyq7lm7gmhvclzidmloqhwgckpnegnddoicq@jpeg)
November 16, 2025 at 9:25 PM