Montessori School | Lahan • Shah Hemp

Montessori School | Lahan

A local doctor couple in Lahan, inspired by the hempcrete construction used in the Janakpur Trauma Hospital extension, decided to integrate this innovative material into their next project: building a Montessori school for their community. Following the same sustainable approach, they used hempcrete to create a healthy, eco-friendly, and nurturing space for early childhood education, demonstrating its versatility and potential in community-focused construction

Hempcrete Construction Lahan — Hempcrete Construction in Lahan with clients.

Location:
- Lahan, Nepal
Project Type:
- Commercial
Completion Date:
- 06/2017
Client:
- Dr. Subhash Shah

Design & Features:
- Total Footprint Area:
  - 500 sq ft. (52 sq.m).
- Total Volume of Hempcrete Installed:
  - 1050 cu.ft. (106 cu.m).
- Hempcrete Application:
  - All external walls and false ceiling.
- Openings:
  - Aluminum doors and windows.
- Flooring:
  - Cement.
- Roof :
  - Corrugated Tin Roof.

Structural Details:
- Bamboo skeleton for the walls, cast with hempcrete.
- Lime plaster finish for walls.
- Hempcrete false ceiling insulation made with bamboo mesh, hempcrete, and an aluminum structure. Finished with Clay and cow dung plaster.
- Top layer with a metal structure with a galvanized tin roof.
Other Materials:
- Aluminum doors and windows.

Community Impact

The project bridged traditional knowledge and modern techniques, fostering community pride and interest. Many locals recalled their past reliance on lime for construction and embraced the idea of using it over cement. This hempcrete construction has inspired further interest in sustainable building practices in the region.

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 and clay plaster regulate temperature, keeping the rooms naturally warm in winters and cool in the summers.

Hempcrete Construction Timeline & Team

Timeline: 14 days
Labor: Local masons, workers, and carpenters were trained specifically for the project.
Expert Supervision: Dhiraj K. Shah provided technical guidance and expertise throughout the project.

Montessori

Bamboo Skeleton for Wall Casting

Bamboo Framing on Metal Structure

Clay for Wall Casting

Hempcrete Wall Casted

Hempcrete Casting in Process

Hempcrete Walls finished with lime plaster

Montessori School, Lahan, Nepal, 2017

Installing bamboo mesh fall roof

Hempcrete False Roof casted

Hempcrete roof Insulation in progress.

Local women plastering the false roof with clay and cow dung.

Bamboo Mesh Hempcrete False Roof Insulation

Hempcrete Construction Lahan

Key Learnings from this project

Compatibility with Clay: Hempcrete construction demonstrates excellent durability when paired with clay. However, due to the high thermal mass, the thermal performance is reduced compared to hempcrete with lime binder.
Integration with Aluminum Elements: Aluminum doors and windows integrate seamlessly with hempcrete walls, ensuring a modern finish without compromising functionality. Hempcrete is also fully compatible with aluminum false ceiling systems, allowing for versatile design possibilities.
Performance of Lime Plaster: Lime plaster adheres well to hemp-clay walls, offering a natural and breathable finish suitable for tropical climates.

Testimonials

“The room is so cool-temperature-wise.”