Culburra Hemp House 2018

Culburra Hemp House

The Culburra Hemp House consists of three intersecting pavilions, two of which are tilted off parallel to the boundary to face true north for maximum solar control. The hempcrete walls provide a good combination of insulation and thermal mass. The monolithic hempcrete walls were cast on-site around a timber frame, minimising gaps between materials and, being both interior and exterior walls, they reduce the number of materials used. The hempcrete walls are vapour-permeable and the lime makes them naturally mould-resistant, creating a healthy indoor environment.

Fixed awnings allow penetration of winter sun to the polished concrete floor and provide shade in summer. Good solar passive design, combined with the hemp walls, sheep’s-wool ceiling insulation and double glazing mean that no mechanical heating or cooling is required.

Raked ceilings and high-level windows to the north fill the house with light, making it feel spacious despite its small footprint. All living and bedrooms have windows on three sides for even lighting and to capture cool summer afternoon sea breezes.

Sustainability was integral to the design and the home has grid-interactive solar power producing three times the amount of power used. Rainwater is plumbed to a 5000L rainwater tank connected to the laundry, toilets and garden.

Natural materials, such as the plywood ceilings, were used in a simple unadorned manner, for low maintenance and good indoor air quality. Surrounding decks provide additional living space and a link between the indoors and outdoors.

Built and designed by owner, Kirstie Wulf of Shelter Building Design.

Sustainability Features

Years Open
2015
2018
ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENT FEATURES
    • Energy efficiency:
    • Draught proofing
      Efficient lighting
      Efficient appliances
    • Passive heating cooling:
    • Cross-ventilation
      Passive solar designed home
      Shading
      Thermal chimney
      Thermal mass
    • Water heating:
    • Instantaneous LPG
    • Water harvesting and saving features:
    • Above-ground rainwater storage
      Low-flow shower heads
      Low-flow taps
    • Above ground rainwater storage Type:
    • Round colorbond tank
    • Above ground rainwater storage Size
    • 5000L
    • Energy Efficient Lighting
    • Natural daylight
    • Window Protection:
    • Awnings (external)
SUSTAINABLE & RECYCLED MATERIALS
    • Sustainable materials:
    • Hempcrete, sheep's-wool insulation, and recycled timber used in the construction and for non-structural framing
    • Recycled and reused materials:
    • Paving
      Timber
INSULATION SPECIFICATIONS
    • Insulation Type:
    • Ceiling
    • Ceiling Type:
    • Bulk – natural wool
    • Ceiling Rating:
    • R3.5 + R1.5 = R5.0
    • Internal / External Walls Type:
    • Hempcrete
    • Internal / External Walls Rating:
    • R3.0
RENEWABLE ENERGY SPECIFICATIONS
    • All-Electric Home?
    • No
    • Energy star rating:
    • Pass
    • Renewable energy used:
    • Solar PV grid-connected
    • Size of PV system:
    • 1.5kW
COSTS AND COST SAVINGS
    • Total cost of home when constructed:
    • $210,000
    • Estimate of annual savings:
    • No heating or cooling costs and reduced utility costs due to solar PV and rainwater tank
HOUSE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS
    • House Size
    • 123m2
    • BAL Rating
    • N/A
    • Roof
    • Metal (colorbond)
    • Wall Materials
    • Hemp
    • Window and Door Types
    • Awning
      Clerestory windows
      Double glazing
      Sliding windows/doors
      Pocket doors
    • Universal Design Features
    • 80cm minimum door opening width
      Hobless showers
      110cm minimum width hallways
      No corner cupboards
      Shower head on rail for various heights
    • Number of bedrooms
    • 3
    • Number of bathrooms
    • 2
GARDEN AND WASTE REDUCTION
    • Garden / Outdoors
    • Composting
      Green roof
      Native plants
      Water-wise plants
HEALTHY HOME FEATURES
    • Healthy home features
    • Airtight house design
      Chemical-free cleaning products used
      Cross-flow ventilation
      Lime render/wash
      Low VOC paints/sealer/varnish
      Natural fibre furnishings
      Natural light and ventilation
      Natural oil sealer/finishes
      No carpets
Location
Culburra Beach NSW 2540
    • Housing Type:
    • Standalone House
    • Project Type:
    • New Build
    • Builder
    • Owner
    • Designer
    • Shelter Building Design

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