
Location: Pokhara
Project Type: Residential
Completion Date: 05/2024
Client: Mr. Ranabhat Chandra
Shah Hemp supplied all the raw materials, including hempcrete, lime plaster, and natural paint. To empower Mr. Chandra, his building team, and other enthusiasts, Shah Hemp organized an immersive hempcrete building workshop on-site. Together, the family and participants prepared the bamboo wall skeleton, completed one wall with hempcrete, and finished it with lime plaster, turning the construction process into a shared, hands-on learning experience.
After the workshop, Mr. Chandra and his local team continued building the remaining walls, applying the techniques they had learned. Shah Hemp remained available for troubleshooting consultations, offering guidance whenever challenges arose, ensuring the project progressed smoothly. This collaborative effort highlights how natural building methods not only create sustainable homes but also foster community and skill-sharing.
Design & Features
Total Footprint Area: 933 sq ft. ( 93.3sq.m).
Total Volume of Hempcrete Installed: 600 cu.ft. ( 60 cu.m).
Hempcrete Application: All external walls of the residential floor.
Structural Details:
- Concrete Structure and roof
- Bamboo skeleton for the walls, cast with hempcrete.
- Lime plaster and natural lime paint finish for walls.
Other Materials:
- Wooden doors and windows.
- Vedic flooring with cow dung, clay and sand.
Hempcrete Construction Timeline & Team
- Timeline: 2 months
- Labor: Local masons, workers, and carpenters were trained specifically for the project, gaining valuable skills in sustainable construction.
- Expert Supervision: Dhiraj K. Shah provided technical guidance and expertise throughout the project.
Community Impact
This project beautifully bridged traditional knowledge with modern construction techniques, fostering a sense of pride and curiosity within the community. The hempcrete workshop not only transferred valuable skills to the homeowner and his team but also inspired others in the region to explore sustainable building practices.
Adding to its impact, the homeowner has dedicated one room in the house as a homestay, allowing visitors to experience the unparalleled comfort and freshness of a hempcrete space firsthand. This initiative has sparked greater interest in eco-friendly construction while creating opportunities for community engagement and awareness about natural building methods.
By integrating sustainability into daily life and sharing the benefits of hempcrete, this project has set a precedent for eco-conscious development in the area.
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 Wood Elements: Wooden doors and windows integrate seamlessly with hempcrete walls, ensuring a modern finish without compromising functionality.
- Innovative Plaster Technique: Application of lime plaster in varied styles not only enhanced the acoustic properties of the walls but also elevated their aesthetic appeal, showcasing the versatility of natural building materials.
- Homeowner’s Dedication and Innovation: The homeowner’s complete dedication to the construction process played a significant role in improving the project’s efficiency. By actively participating and collaborating with the building team, he ensured smoother coordination and quicker decision-making. Additionally, his involvement allowed him to experiment with and innovate using more natural materials, further enhancing the sustainability and uniqueness of the construction.