Kirstie Wulf has designed and facilitated the building of 20 hempcrete houses and counting. Hemp, hempcrete, hemp masonry or hemp+lime are different ways of describing the same natural building material.

Our Hempcrete Homes

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  Proud to be Featured on the Hemp Building Directory
  We’re excited to announce that Shelter Building Design has been featured on the Hemp Building Directory! This recognition marks a significant milestone in our commitment to sustainable building practices. A
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  Hempcrete Granny Flat
  Initially built with a workshop this versatile Hempcrete Granny Flat is a unique space was first used as a serene yoga studio. It has since been expertly converted into a comfortable two-bedroom secondary dwelling or granny flat. This project showcases the flexibility and sustainability of hempcrete construction, offering an eco-friendly living solution that adapts to your needs.
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  Australian Industrial Hemp Conference
  At the recent Australia Industrial Hemp Conference (AIHC) in Pokolbin, NSW, Kirstie Wulf delivered a compelling presentation on the benefits of building with hemp. A passionate advocate for sustainable construction, Wulf highlighted hemp’s potential to transform the building industry through its environmental, economic, and practical advantages.
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  ‘Hempy’ Small Wonder | Sanctuary Magazine
  They say good things come in small packages. That’s certainly true for the fondly named ‘Hempy’ – a small hempcrete house built on a block with the highest bushfire rating, BAL-FZ, in Blackheath in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.
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  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.
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  Hazelbrook Hemp House
  The Hazelbrook Hemp House was part of the BDAA National Awards held in Melbourne, Kirstie received a commendation at BDAA awards.
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  Flame Zone Hempcrete House
  Thick hempcrete walls on this flame zone hempcrete house contribute to the peace and warmth inside this lovely Blue Mountains Home. “With its insulative and thermal mass properties plus its… Read more: Flame Zone Hempcrete House

About Hemp, Hempcrete, Hemp Masonry

Hempcrete, a biocomposite construction material, is steadily gaining recognition in Australia for its exceptional environmental and insulation properties. Made from hemp hurd mixed with lime and water, hempcrete is a sustainable alternative to traditional other wall infill installations and is in effect the complete wall infill layer. Its rise in popularity underscores a growing commitment to green building practices across the nation.

Hempcrete offers several compelling advantages. Firstly, it is carbon-negative; hemp absorbs more carbon dioxide during growth than is emitted through the production and application of hempcrete. This quality makes it an attractive option for eco-conscious builders and architects looking to reduce the carbon footprint of new constructions.

Moreover, hempcrete provides excellent thermal insulation. This is particularly advantageous in Australia’s diverse climates, from the hot, dry conditions in the Outback to the cooler, wetter climates in the southeast. Hempcrete buildings naturally maintain a stable interior temperature, reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. This energy efficiency translates into significant cost savings over the lifespan of a building.

The material is also renowned for its moisture-regulating properties, which prevent the growth of moulds and fungi. This is crucial for maintaining indoor air quality and ensuring the health and well-being of the building’s occupants. Furthermore, hempcrete is fire-resistant, a critical feature in Australia’s bushfire-prone areas.

Despite these advantages, the adoption of hempcrete in Australia faces some challenges. One of the primary hurdles is the limited local production of hemp, which can make the material more expensive compared to traditional building materials. Advocacy and investment in local hemp agriculture could ameliorate this, making hempcrete a more accessible choice. The payback of the initial upfront expense in power bill savings is 5-7 years.

Initiatives and pilot projects are sprouting across the country as industry leaders and policymakers recognise the potential of hempcrete. These efforts are paving the way for broader acceptance and utilisation of this eco-friendly building material, marking a significant step forward in sustainable construction within Australia.