Fire Resistant Hempcrete Home
Rebuilding after the 2019 fires with serious fire protection—without sacrificing comfort or natural materials. A hybrid hempcrete system made it work.
Fire Resistant Hempcrete Home
Rebuilding after the 2019 fires with serious fire protection—without sacrificing comfort or natural materials. A hybrid hempcrete system made it work.
Fire Resistant Hempcrete Home
Rebuilding after the 2019 fires with serious fire protection—without sacrificing comfort or natural materials. A hybrid hempcrete system made it work.
Project Overview
The client had lost their home on this site during the 2019 fires. We were approached to detail, supply and install our Cast & Block system for their rebuild. This Malua Bay home explored how natural materials can deliver serious fire protection, comfort, and long-term performance. Designed for a high BAL (bushfire attack level) rated zone. The project balances resilience with comfort and beauty, with internal cast feature walls throughout.
Project Overview
The client had lost their home on this site during the 2019 fires. We were approached to detail, supply and install our Cast & Block system for their rebuild. This Malua Bay home explored how natural materials can deliver serious fire protection, comfort, and long-term performance. Designed for a high BAL (bushfire attack level) rated zone. The project balances resilience with comfort and beauty, with internal cast feature walls throughout.
Project Overview
The client had lost their home on this site during the 2019 fires. We were approached to detail, supply and install our Cast & Block system for their rebuild. This Malua Bay home explored how natural materials can deliver serious fire protection, comfort, and long-term performance. Designed for a high BAL (bushfire attack level) rated zone. The project balances resilience with comfort and beauty, with internal cast feature walls throughout.
Project Details
Location & Project Size:
Malua Bay NSW, 120 m²
Built By
Jace Vapore, local builder
Completion Year
2024
Designed By
Shelter Building Design
Materials Used
RespiraBlock 120mm, RespiraCast hempcrete
Supplied By
Respirabuilt
Project Details
Location & Project Size:
Malua Bay NSW, 120 m²
Built By
Jace Vapore, local builder
Completion Year
2024
Designed By
Shelter Building Design
Materials Used
RespiraBlock 120mm, RespiraCast hempcrete
Supplied By
Respirabuilt
Project Details
Location & Project Size:
Malua Bay NSW, 120 m²
Built By
Jace Vapore, local builder
Completion Year
2024
Designed By
Shelter Building Design
Materials Used
RespiraBlock 120mm, RespiraCast hempcrete
Supplied By
Respirabuilt
01
The Challenge
The rebuild needed to address bushfire risk without turning the house into a concrete and steel bunker. Fire resistance, thermal performance, and natural materials all mattered. Kirstie Shelter from Shelter building Design also had a tight and sloping site to work with. The location also governed the need for Cast&Block due to the fact that Malua Bay is relatively far to bring a full hempcreting crew of seven.
01
The Challenge
The rebuild needed to address bushfire risk without turning the house into a concrete and steel bunker. Fire resistance, thermal performance, and natural materials all mattered. Kirstie Shelter from Shelter building Design also had a tight and sloping site to work with. The location also governed the need for Cast&Block due to the fact that Malua Bay is relatively far to bring a full hempcreting crew of seven.
01
The Challenge
The rebuild needed to address bushfire risk without turning the house into a concrete and steel bunker. Fire resistance, thermal performance, and natural materials all mattered. Kirstie Shelter from Shelter building Design also had a tight and sloping site to work with. The location also governed the need for Cast&Block due to the fact that Malua Bay is relatively far to bring a full hempcreting crew of seven.
02
Our Approach
A hybrid hempcrete system kept things efficient. Respira hempcrete blocks were used externally for speed and consistency, with cast hempcrete reserved for internal feature walls. The result was a high-performing envelope that worked with local trades and a regional build timeline. Respirabuilt was able to freight up the Respirablocks and liaise with a local bricklayer to take care of install of the eternal skin of hempcrete beforehand. Respirabuilt was able to bring a skeleton crew to cast the internal side of the walls with ease.
02
Our Approach
A hybrid hempcrete system kept things efficient. Respira hempcrete blocks were used externally for speed and consistency, with cast hempcrete reserved for internal feature walls. The result was a high-performing envelope that worked with local trades and a regional build timeline. Respirabuilt was able to freight up the Respirablocks and liaise with a local bricklayer to take care of install of the eternal skin of hempcrete beforehand. Respirabuilt was able to bring a skeleton crew to cast the internal side of the walls with ease.
02
Our Approach
A hybrid hempcrete system kept things efficient. Respira hempcrete blocks were used externally for speed and consistency, with cast hempcrete reserved for internal feature walls. The result was a high-performing envelope that worked with local trades and a regional build timeline. Respirabuilt was able to freight up the Respirablocks and liaise with a local bricklayer to take care of install of the eternal skin of hempcrete beforehand. Respirabuilt was able to bring a skeleton crew to cast the internal side of the walls with ease.
03
The Outcome
The finished house delivered reliable fire protection and steady internal temperature, even through peak summer conditions. The internal skin of cast hemp was completed in seven labour days, showing how a hybrid approach can significantly reduce build time without compromising performance.
03
The Outcome
The finished house delivered reliable fire protection and steady internal temperature, even through peak summer conditions. The internal skin of cast hemp was completed in seven labour days, showing how a hybrid approach can significantly reduce build time without compromising performance.
03
The Outcome
The finished house delivered reliable fire protection and steady internal temperature, even through peak summer conditions. The internal skin of cast hemp was completed in seven labour days, showing how a hybrid approach can significantly reduce build time without compromising performance.
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