SUSTAINABILITY & INNOVATION

Hemp houses hit new heights

The popularity of hemp houses continues to gain momentum around the country as homeowners seek out more comfortable, energy-efficient and sustainable building options.

Southern Hemp owner David Brian said during the past five years, his company had been able to help many visitors to the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo make the switch to hemp.

“The expo has been a great platform to be able to fully explain the process and benefits of building a hemp home,” David said. With continued increases in energy costs combined with the need for sustainably, hemp houses tick all the boxes.

A hemp house saves up to 80 per cent on energy costs, has a high fire rating, is breathable and is a great way to lock up carbon.

“The great thing for the builders is the construction process because a hemp house is mostly similar to building a brick veneer,” David said.

“The design and creativity is as flexible as you want to make your formwork.”

The hemp and natural lime mix is placed in formwork each side of the timber frame and lightly tamped down.

When the formwork is removed, the timber frame is left encased within the hemp wall which is then ready for rendering.

The internal walls can be left natural, have oxides added, be lime-washed or painted with a breathable lime paint.

Hemp crops are sown in late September/early October and their stalks harvested in February/ March when about four metres high.

One hectare of hemp is enough to build an average-sized house and many farmers in Victoria and southern NSW are now embarking on growing hemp for the housing market.

Southern Hemp installs hemp houses nationwide, and while the company offers a complete installation service, David allows the flexibility for owners with their family and friends to save on labour and help with the hemping.

“Many owners have gained an enormous amount of satisfaction by being part of the hemp building process.”

David will be available to discuss growing hemp crops with interested farmers and will conduct hemp farming talks each day at midday in the Learning Hub.

He will also do two hemp building demonstrations at 10.30 am and 2 pm each day.