•  
A+ A A-

Hemp, Lime and Local Timber at Scots Eco-Village

houses_scotland_hemp_lime31 Aug 2013

Two houses are nearing completion at a small newbuild eco village in the northwest of Scotland. Achabeag Township has planning permission for 20 houses, which will be clustered together on sloping land overlooking the Sound of Mull. Of these 6 are designated as affordable housing, but with an average build cost of less than £100K none are likely to break the bank.

Hemp, lime and local timber at Scots eco-village

The first two dwellings are different in appearance but both are built to a very high standard – with exceptional levels of insulation, minimal heating requirements, met by a woodstove and off-peak electricity, heat storage in a thermal floor slab, and solar thermal panels for hot water. The full-height (single storey) internal living spaces have Douglas Fir structural frames and masses of natural light from roof glazing. Aluminum clad timber windows are virtually maintenance free.

The timber for both was sourced mostly from local forests in the Lochaber area, the insulation – using recycled newspaper, collected by local schoolchildren – processed by Warmcel. Novel sloping exterior walls are influenced by local vernacular building styles while pagoda-style roofs give individuality.

eco_houses_scotland

Workers installing Hembuild walls at a project in Long Stanton, England

Developed by the Ardtornish Estate and Roderick James Architects LLP the Achabeag Township is intended to be a small sustainable community of highly energy efficient houses, within easy reach of the amenities of nearby Lochaline. The designs were born out of a Pattern Book created by the Roderick James practice that deliberately stipulates both a direction and coherent styles developed to ultimately create a township or village feel.

The first property takes on a crescent-shaped form that curves to create a sheltered outdoor space that looks down the Sound of Mull. Dissecting the curve is a feature-glazed shard that serves to emphasize the properties dramatic views that are enjoyed through a fully glazed façade, whilst drawing light into the centre of the plan. The main living area is open plan. This maximizes the amount of both space and light, whilst minimizing the amount of corridor space between rooms to deliver both ecological and environmental advantages.

In contrast to the crescent shaped form of its counterpart, the second property is aligned over a star shape layout, the form of which echoes the look of a traditional croft: a long and low, single storey building with white harled (rendered) walls, low eaves, dominant gable ends with chimney stacks, and small windows to the north and west. The properties two main ‘wings’ form a shallow V-shape and in doing so create a sheltered outdoor area that is accessible directly from the open plan living space.

Located within close proximity to each other and enjoying a coastal aspect, the single storey dwellings feature the hemp based prefabricated wall system that is particularly suitable for use in low-rise buildings, deployed around an oak frame in this case. Hemcrete Projects low-carbon prefabricated building system, Hembuild, has been used for the main walls of the houses, which also feature both a natural slate and sedum green roof, plus lime-based render supplied by Hemcrete Projects’ group company, Lime Technology, In order to ensure that the visual appearance of both properties sit comfortably within the landscape, the external walls have been subtly tapered, making them feel instantly integral to their surrounding environment.

eco_houses_scotland_01

A sketch of another house planned for the Achabeag Township

Commenting on the decision to specify the Hembuild system, Peter Smith of Roderick James Architects said: “Hembuild ticks all of the boxes when it comes to delivering sustainable properties, and the system is ideally suitable for what are two totally different styled houses but which fulfill the requirements of a scheme where the use of natural materials and environmental sustainability are the order of the day.”

Developed to deliver highly sustainable and energy efficient buildings, the product is based around a bio-composite building material made from hemp shiv (the woody core of industrial hemp) mixed with a lime-based binder – Tradical Hemcrete. This product, when used in conjunction with equally efficient hemp fibre insulation quilt delivers a groundbreaking combination of insulation and thermal inertia.

Building using the system creates a substantial smoothing out of temperatures, thus reducing peak loads and the capital costs of an M&E system. The building fabric partially takes over the regulation of the internal conditions using the passive properties of Hemcrete, instead of using the active properties of the M&E system. This creates the potential for reducing capital and running costs.

In addition to exceeding expectations based on conventional steady state U-values and standard thermal modeling, the process also sequesters carbon. This arises due to hemp capturing carbon dioxide during its rapid growth, whilst releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere. The carbon is then locked up within the walls of the building to give a carbon negative solution.


green_building_banner

Source Here

 

Pin It

Liked this article? Dive deeper into personal growth and wellness! Check out CrystalWind.ca for spiritual wisdom or explore AromaWorx.ca for natural well-being tips. Spread the positivity—share this with friends on their happiness journey!

Let’s Chat! Drop Your Thoughts Below! Scroll down to comment

Keep CrystalWind.ca free—your gift matters now!
Help us spread light today. Thank you, supporters!

Follow this blog

Featured Writers

Thank You for Visiting CrystalWind!

We’re honored to be part of your journey.

Share your thoughts at .

Let’s grow together!

Imagine a world of inspiration and healing, free for all—made possible by YOU!
Donate Now—Ignite the Magic at CrystalWind.ca!

Support CrystalWind.ca Today!

Unlock Your Light: Join Lightworkers Worldwide on CrystalWind.ca!

 

Call For Writers

Call For Writers!

Follow Us!

Featured This Month

Page:

Lugh - Celtic God Of The Sun

Lugh - Celtic God Of The Sun

The god Lugh was worshiped in Ireland as a deity of the sun. This connection... Read more

Moonstone

Moonstone

Moonstone is one of the best stones for bringing emotional calm and stability,... Read more

Cancer

Cancer

CANCER Jun 21 - Jul 22 Read more

The Oak Tree - June 10th - July 7th

The Oak Tree - June 10th - July 7th

Summer Solstice ( Alban Hefin ) Read more

Wild Rose

Wild Rose

Wild Rose Fills your life with soft romance. Gender: Feminine Planet: Venus... Read more

Lammas by The Hedgewitch

Lammas by The Hedgewitch

Although in the heat of a Mid-western summer it might be difficult to discer... Read more

Sun in Cancer

Sun in Cancer

Cancer Sun Sign Characteristics Overview The name "Cancer" comes from Latin, ... Read more

Calcite

Calcite

The Cleansing Stone Calcite is a powerful amplifier and cleanser of energy.... Read more

Abalone Shell

Abalone Shell

Echos Of The Ancestors Abalone strengthens the structure of the body and th... Read more

Lammas

Lammas

Lammas Ritual Celebrated August 1st. Lammas is also known as Lughnasadh, La... Read more

Birth Totem - Woodpecker

Birth Totem - Woodpecker

Birth Totem Woodpecker Birth dates: June 21 - July 21 Read more

Egyptian Zodiac/Astrology

Egyptian Zodiac/Astrology

Egyptian astrology was one of the earliest forms of astrology. The Egyptians w... Read more

Chalcedony

Chalcedony

The Stone Of Orators Chalcedony was very popular as a decorative stone in ant... Read more

Strong Sun Moon

Strong Sun Moon

Flicker – Carnelian Agate – Wild Rose – Pink June 21 – July 22 Read more

Cancer Mythology

Cancer Mythology

The Mythology of Cancer: A Celestial Tale of Loyalty and Sacrifice Among th... Read more

X

Right Click

No right click