In the picturesque landscapes of Tasmania, Dan Rawlins and his partner, Chloe Meyer, embarked on a life-changing journey: building a sustainable, off-grid home constructed from hempcrete—an innovative building material made from hemp—and finished with a unique horse manure render. Despite having no previous construction experience, their story is a testament to determination, creativity, and the pursuit of sustainable living.
A Vision for Sustainability
When Dan and Chloe decided to embark on this ambitious project, their goal was not just to create a home but to explore sustainable alternatives in construction. As Dan expressed during an interview with ABC iview’s Grand Designs Australia, “The vision for me is really about having a crack at a sustainable alternative and having a place that feels fun and creative to live in.” With a design that was to be more spacious than a cottage, they were ready to push the boundaries of traditional homebuilding.
Living for several winters in a shipping container equipped with an outdoor kitchen prepared them for the challenges ahead. Their commitment to sustainable living drove them to consider unconventional building materials that would serve both the environment and their vision.
The Power of Hemp
After extensive research, Dan discovered the remarkable properties of hemp as a building material. “The more I burrowed into the YouTube wormhole, the more it seemed too good to be true,” he shared. Hemp has a multitude of benefits: it provides excellent insulation, is fireproof, mould-proof, and vermin-proof, and even has a carbon-negative footprint since it sequesters more carbon than is emitted during its lifecycle.
This knowledge shaped their decision to construct their home using hempcrete, consisting of the stalks of the plant mixed with lime, cement, and water. The resulting walls would be both incredibly durable and environmentally friendly—a perfect match for their off-grid lifestyle.
Hempcrete starts with shredded hemp stalks ready for mixing.
(ABC/Fremantle Media)
A Family Affair
Building a house is no small feat, especially for novices like Dan. Thankfully, his father, Pete, a seasoned builder with meticulous attention to detail, stepped in to help. “Dad’s very finicky about details and I’m the kind of person who doesn’t let perfect get in the way of progress; hopefully, that makes a nice marriage for building something that lasts for a long time,” Dan shared.
Together, they designed the house on a block of land Dan purchased near Franklin, Tasmania. After years of saving and planning, he settled on a strict budget of $300,000, aiming to build within a year.
A Setback with Heart
However, as construction was about to begin, tragedy struck. Dan’s father was diagnosed with cancer, bringing an emotional tension to the project. Dan prioritized his father’s health, digging deep into building the timber framework for the house while his father underwent treatment.
The situation dramatically shifted in October 2022 when Pete transitioned to palliative care and passed away just a week later. The grief was immense, yet Dan felt a strong obligation to continue the project in honor of his father’s legacy. “I’m sure he’d be super proud. I think he’d be really pleased,” he reflected, despite the sorrow.
Building the Hemp House
With renewed determination, Dan returned to the build, this time joined by his mother, Kerstin. They pressed forward, collaborating with friends and community volunteers eager to contribute to the labor-intensive process of pouring the hempcrete. This collaborative spirit was essential, given the budget constraints they faced.
The Hempcrete Pour
After nine months of work, Chloe returned from her studies in England just in time for critical stages of the build, including the much-anticipated hempcrete pour. The community rallied around them, ready to help. Each volunteer took up a bucket, ready to mix and pack the hempcrete mixture, a process that demanded careful attention to detail.
The mix was meticulous, comprising shredded hemp stalks, lime, and other binding materials, all essential for creating strong, breathable walls. As they layered and tamped the mixture, Dan felt a sense of accomplishment: “It feels kind of surreal. Within a couple of weeks, all your walls just go ‘Bang’ and they’re up!”
Volunteers help mix and pour the hempcrete.
(ABC/Fremantle Media)
Unique Finishing Touches
As the walls began to take shape, Dan faced another challenge: the need to waterproof the home before the coming winter. The solution? A horse manure render mix that would protect the hempcrete. While unconventional, the experience proved resourceful and budget-friendly, with local kids even assisting in gathering the required materials.
Despite concerns about odors, the use of manure proved to be relatively odourless and added desirable structural strength to the render. Working tirelessly, Dan and his team applied the first coat, sealing the house and preparing it for the cold season.
A House Realized
After 18 months of hard work, the hemp house was complete, slightly over budget but filled with meaning and reminder of those who aided its creation. “We really like that it tells the story of the different people that came to tamp it,” Dan said proudly.
Stepping into their new home, the couple savored the comfort that comes from a built space entirely their own: “It’s great to move in and make it more homely. It’s quite a nice touch, having a house over our heads,” Chloe expressed.
Proud owners Dan and Chloe in front of their sustainable home.
(ABC/Fremantle Media)
Conclusion
Dan and Chloe’s story is an inspiring example of resilience in the face of adversity. Through every trial, they managed not only to build a house but to weave a narrative of love, loss, and learning. As they settle into their cozy, eco-friendly haven, they are reminded every day of the journey they took to create it—a journey paved with intention, community, and an unwavering belief in sustainable living.
