Canberra’s first hempcrete house

This family home in O’Connor is the first in Canberra to be built with hempcrete — a natural, breathable material made from hemp, lime and water. It’s an impressive choice that delivers on both insulation and moisture control, helping to create a home that’s healthy, low-carbon and thermally stable.

Powerhaus Engineering supported the project with early-stage NatHERS modelling and design advice, working closely with the team to balance compliance and comfort. Hempcrete’s unique properties presented modelling challenges, but by tailoring our approach, we helped the design achieve a high thermal performance rating while preserving the integrity of the natural materials.

We’d love to see more of this kind of building in Canberra — especially with potential for local hempcrete production on the horizon.