Ecostead

Hempcrete permaculture homestead

Seeking a sustainable, urban-free lifestyle, our client envisioned a self-sustaining permaculture homestead on a hilltop ridge. This home serves as the central hub for living, working, education, and generational sustainability, offering commanding valley views.

The home's exterior walls are constructed from hempcrete, providing a negative carbon footprint and excellent regulation of humidity and air quality, while also being fire-resistant, pest-resistant, and durable. A blend of materials including locally sourced stone, oak timber, steel, and rammed-earth bricks for flooring were utilized.

Designed as a working farm, the kitchen functions as a commercial space for food processing and educational classes. A spacious central room accommodates both main living and community gatherings. The owners plan to eventually transfer the home and farm into a stewardship, establishing a small working educational center for future generations.

The hempcrete is finished with a lime render, providing a stucco-like appearance that offers warmth and softness, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the site. This softness is balanced by strong gabled silhouettes, crisp timber frames, and deep roof overhangs.