Stay in the house that hemp built.
Had the three little pigs built their houses with a more sustainable material, the wolf would’ve never blown down the front door. Now the doors are open to immerse yourself in the house that dope built – the Sativa Sanctuary in Margaret River, WA built entirely from Australian hemp.
The owners, Andrea and Holger Butenschon, built an environmentally-conscious residential getaway through Hemp Homes Australia, dubbed the Sativa Sanctuary, in Witchcliffe, in the Margaret River region of Western Australia. Built in just 14 weeks with an environmentally-friendly focus, construction was carried out using HempCrete biocomposite material grown and manufactured in New South Wales.
The walls throughout Sativa Sanctuary were hand-built with hemp. The exterior walls are lime rendered using a natural turmeric oxide and the interior walls left natural with no use of paint or chemicals. Materials used have thermal mass properties, are fire retardant, breathable, termite resistant and carry very good acoustic values. And you’re more than welcome to make an AirB&B booking and bask in the splendour of this resourceful retreat.
In a world slowly waking up to the benefits of the cannabis plant it still remains a controversial issue in Australia’s legislation. Cannabis buds are accessible to everyone via registered medicinal cannabis clinics, although this can be a pricey venture. Growing your own plants is a rigorous process in obtaining permits.
Due to this legal climate the Sativa Sanctuary has had to go to the lengths of using Craze Collective’s prop hemp plants in decorative display to drive home the theme of the building product. This alone illustrates the current stigma surrounding the plant despite the properties of it fast becoming a worldwide phenomenon in not only health products and clothing but in sustainable building materials, perfectly suited to Australia’s climate. This newly-built sanctuary is a celebration of all that encompasses the forward-thinking consciousness of using the miracle plant to great effect in the building industry.
In September, The Canberra Times wrote an article highlighting the project’s resourcefulness and promotion of hemp-based construction. Sativa Sanctuary was also a highlight on Sustainable House Day last month, allowing visitors a chance to inspect houses that have been designed, built or renovated with sustainability in mind.
Want to learn more about building with Hemp? Gary Rogers from @Hemp Homes Australia will be presenting at the Virtual HHI Expo – 6 November 2021. TIX on sales now @ hhiexpo.com.au
Story written by Rip Nicholson
