Mullumbimby Hemp Studio

Rear view of studio

Location:
Mullumbimby, NSW North Coast

Type of Build:
Studio/extra bedroom, with bathroom and kitchenette

Owner:
Andrew Wadsworth and Meggie Danielson

Designer:
Jaye Irving, Barefoot Sustainable Design, barefootdesign.com.au (concept design)
Graham Harper, Harper Design Arc (detail design and plans)

Builder:
Andrew undertook the studio project as owner builder and engaged carpenter Nicholas Jouin of Permastructure

Size:
32 m2studio plus mezzanine total 38m2

Cost:
$67,000 plus rendering and landscaping total est $75,000
Hemp materials cost $4,000 + $1,000 render

Date of construction:
August 2015 - December 2015

Purpose of Build:
To provide a flexible space that could operate as an extra bedroom to the main house or as self contained accommodation

Choice of Material:
The main house was built of hemp. Due to cost only one wall of the studio was built with hemp.
 

Hemp wall left unrendered

Climate:
Zone 2 - Warm humid summer, mild winter

Local Council:
Byron Shire Council

Obtaining Approval:
Approval was obtained at the same time as the main house, with a subsequent s96 variation of approval for the studio.  Building surveyor Dwane Roberts of DP Roberts Planning Solutions was engaged to assist with the approval of the main building.

Construction:
Andrew acted as owner builder and engaged carpenter Nicholas Jouin to do most of the construction work. The hemp wall was constructed during a workshop. Balanced Earth Building rendered the studio externally

Internal view

Footings:
Slab on ground. The slab for the studio was poured at the same time as the main house.

Floor:
Polished concrete, and timber on mezzanine

Frame:
Timber frame, 90 mm T2 termite treated pine, made on site

Walls:
200mm thick hemp wall using AHMC binder and hemp.  Rendered externally with AHMC render by Balanced Earth Building. The hemp wall has been left unrendered internally and will be finished with a breathable clear finish. The other walls are clad with corrugated Zincalume over Kingspan Aircell R2 insulation and plasterboard internally

Windows:
Aluminium framed, single glazed

Ceiling:
150mm Bondor Insulroof panels, the larger 150mm size was required because of the span

Roof:
Bondor Insulroof  panels providing R 3.53 and finished with corrugated Colorbond in shale grey (check insulation on 150)

Heating:
None

Cooling:
Ceiling fan

Wall construction:
A workshop was conducted by Klara Marosszeky from AHMC to build the walls. This was attended by Nicholas Joiun, four builders including those from Balanced Earth and three other participants.  The workshop was held over three days with one day of formwork and two days of hempcrete placement. (Do you know what type of mixer was used?)

Formwork:
Marine ply black seconds fixed to the framework with batten screws

External hemp wall rendered

Technical issues:
Ensure good communication with trades and contractors and confirm what has been agreed upon

Advice/Recommendations:
When engaging builders and trades get recommendations from and speak to other clients
Take care in contracts as to what is allowed for PC items

Contact:
Andrew Wadsworth
andrew@mullum.it

Nicholas Jouin
Permastructure
nicholas.jouin@permastructure.com.au

Balanced Earth Building
office@balancedearthbuilding.com
ph 0415 739 767

Note:
The hemp studio is available for rent on Air BNB