Location: Langtang Valley, Nepal
Project Type: Commercial
Completion Date: 08/2022
Client: Atmosfair, Germany
Atmosfair’s New Energy Nepal initiative was to rebuild sustainable tourism infrastructure in Nepal’s remote areas by creating eco-friendly, energy-efficient lodges for trekking routes. Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures supported this vision as the supplier of hempcrete materials, with Dhiraj K. Shah serving as a consultant for hempcrete planning and installation. Five lodges, located at altitudes ranging from 2,600m to 4,500m, were insulated with hempcrete to ensure thermal efficiency and sustainability. On-site training was organized for the first lodge, and an expert mason guided the construction of the first two lodges. Equipped with this knowledge, the project’s building team completed the remaining lodges, showcasing hempcrete’s potential in advancing climate-friendly tourism and sustainable development in high-altitude regions of Nepal.
Design & Features
Hempcrete Application: External Wall Insulation for 5 lodges.
Structural Details:
- Wood skeleton for the walls, cast with hempcrete.
- Lime plaster and natural lime paint finish for walls.
Structural Details:
- Wood skeleton for the walls, cast with hempcrete.
- Lime plaster and natural lime paint finish for walls.
Hempcrete Construction Timeline & Team
- Timeline: 6 months
- Building team: Project Supervisor, Site Engineer, Masons, , and carpenters were trained specifically for the project, gaining valuable skills in sustainable construction.
- Expert Supervision: Dhiraj K. Shah provided technical training and guidance and project’s site engineer supervised the work on the ground.
Community Impact
Through its involvement in the New Energy Nepal initiative, Shah Hemp Inno-Ventures has empowered local communities by introducing hempcrete as a sustainable building material. By providing technical training and hands-on guidance, we equipped local workers with valuable skills in natural construction, enabling them to contribute to the project and future sustainable initiatives. The use of hempcrete has not only enhanced the thermal efficiency of the lodges but has also demonstrated the viability of eco-friendly construction in high-altitude regions. This project serves as a model for integrating sustainable practices into tourism infrastructure, inspiring communities to embrace environmentally conscious development while fostering economic growth through skill development and tourism opportunities.
Sustainable Benefits
- Eco-Friendly Materials: Hempcrete and lime plaster minimizes the carbon footprint and creates a healthier indoor environment.
- Thermal Comfort: The hempcrete walls finished with lime plaster regulate temperature, keeping the rooms naturally warm in winters and cool in the summers.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: Natural lime paint eliminates chemical odors typical of synthetic paints.
Key Learnings from this project
- Integration with Stone Walls:
Hempcrete walls were effectively integrated with stone walls, demonstrating seamless adaptability and compatibility in construction techniques. - Use of Lime Putty in Remote Locations:
Due to the project’s location in an area accessible only by trekking routes, raw materials had to be transported using mules. To ensure the safety of the mules, lime putty was used instead of hydrated lime powder, as the finer particles of the powder could irritate the animals’ skin. Lime putty not only addressed animal welfare concerns but also offered additional benefits such as increased shelf life and better control over material quality in the remote environment where many variables were difficult to regulate.
Construction Pictures
