Hempcrete house at Narara Ecovillage will open its doors to the public
This partially constructed hempcrete home on the Central Coast could be blazing the way for future sustainable builds. It will soon open its doors to the public.
Narara Ecovillage is continuing on its mission to fill its little township with sustainable houses.
The group continues to grow and develop, with homes made from unique provisions like strawbale panels and upcycled materials such as tyres and bottles.
Resident Donna Carey is part way through construction of her hempcrete house, which will be open to the public on 15 September for Sustainable House Day.
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The 130sqm three-bedroom house incorporates a multitude of design features ensuring that not only does the building meet all of the Ecovillage’s rigorous sustainability goals and guidelines, but also creates a very comfortable and liveable home for Ms Carey.
Designed by Envirotecture, the home is being built by Ryan White from eBuild and Consult, who has a hempcrete extension on his own property in Umina.
“Hempcrete is made up of hemp hurd or shiv, which is the woody stem of the hemp plant that is broken down into a woodchip texture and bound by a hydrated lime mixture,” he said.
“The hemp herb, lime binder, sand and water are mixed and poured into a timber structure and carefully tapped lightly into place.”
Mr White said that there were many benefits of using the material including mould reduction, humidity regulation and vermin proofing. It also has a good fire rating.
“From an environmental point of view, the actual production of the hemp herb only takes about three or four months to grow and there are no insecticides required, minimal water and it can grow in all type of soil,” he said.
“Another bonus is, when mixed it absorbs more carbon and therefore reduces carbon in the atmosphere.”
Mr White said that he is passionate about the hempcrete side of his business, but it would not become his sole focus until the material became more widely used.
“There are indications that it will increase but the biggest challenge is affordability — once efficiency and labour costs improve and the cost is comparative to a typical build, the industry might pick up,” he said.
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Jazz Mozzi from the Narara Ecovillage said that the community now had six completed homes, five almost completed and another three on the go, plus an 18-unit cluster development which will be ready early next year.
“The community feeling is terrific with more members moving on site into their homes,” she said.
Narara Ecovillage will be opening the doors to several of its sustainable houses this Saturday, click here to book tickets.
Originally published as Hempcrete house at Narara Ecovillage will open its doors to the public