Sustainable Cabin Materials

2024

Construction Innovation

In collaboration with a local community partner, my peers and I selected and prepared the most viable and sustainable cabin designs for construction. These cabins incorporated innovative techniques such as round pole framing, gabion foundations, and natural infills finished with Earth Plaster.

My primary role focused on researching and constructing the tamped hemp infill wall model. This hemp-based infill was selected for its remarkable versatility, insulation, and thermal properties, positioning it as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials. Within the project, we experimented with various blends of hemp, combining it with clay and lime (hempcrete), to achieve an optimal balance of structural strength and thermal efficiency. The results demonstrated hemp's effectiveness as a sustainable and relatively simple solution for alternative construction practices.

Additionally, I contributed to the construction and experimentation with chip and slip, as well as wattle and daub techniques. This project is ongoing and was exhibited for the community partners on site.

Softwares Used: Revit, Photoshop

  • Tamped Hemp

    Tamped Hemp

  • Slip and Chip

    Slip and Chip

  • Wattle and Daub

    Wattle and Daub

Hemp Infill: Detailed Wall Render

Technical Drawings: Hemp Infill

Material Index: Tamped Hemp

Within this project framework, we experimented with diverse blends, exploring combinations of hemp with clay and hemp with lime (commonly referred to as hempcrete).

Layer 1:

  • Hemp

    (2 Parts)

  • Clay

    (1 Part)

  • Water

    (1 Part)

Layer 2:

  • Hemp

    (3 Parts)

  • Clay

    (1 Part)

  • Water

    (1 Part)

Layer 3:

  • Hemp

    (4 Parts)

  • Clay

    (1 Part)

  • Water

    (1 Part)

Layer 4:

  • Hemp

    (3 Parts)

  • Lime

    (1 Part)

  • Water

    (1 Part)

Layer 5:

  • Hemp

    (4 Parts)

  • Lime

    (1 Part)

  • Clay

    (1 Part)

  • Water

    (1 Part)

Tamped Hemp Model Process

Step 1: Screw temporary framework onto round stud poles

Step 5: Unscrew framework from round poles, let hemp mixture cure 4-6 weeks

Step 2: Tamp hemp mixture in 1-3 inch layer increments

Step 4: Repeat steps 1-2 until whole wall is filled

Step 6: Apply Earth Plaster evenly

Step 3: Let hemp partially set, then move framework up

Material Index: Slip and Chip

Chip & Slip walls need a permanent lattice attached to the pole frame to hold the chip/slip mixture. Our model uses tree branches spaced 2” O.C. for the lattice. We tested two wood chip types: forest floor debris (bark, chips, leaves, branches) and chopped branches. The forest floor is naturally found on-site, while chopped branches need extra labor or machinery to produce.

Chip and Slip Mixture:

• Forest Floor (1 Part)

• Clay Slip (2 Part)

• Wood Chips (1 Part)

Lattice:

• Wood (Branches)

• Nails

Earth Plaster:

• Lime (1 Part)

• Clay (2 Part)

• Redwood (1 Part)

• Sand (2 Part)

• Water (1/2 Part)

Slip and Chip Model Process

Step 1: Place wood branches on round pole stud framing

Step 5: Once the slip and chip mixture is dry, apply earth plaster to exterior side of lattice

Step 2: Nail in branches to the outside of the round poles

Step 4: Let the slip and chip mixture settle and dry

Step 3: Fill in the slip and chip mixture and tamp it down lightly

Material Index: Wattle and Daub

Wattle & Daub is an ancient building method using woven wooden lattice (wattle) coated with a mud-clay mixture (daub). Our model features a dual round pole frame holding the wattle in place. We used a daub mix of clay, wool, and redwood bark for tensile strength, applying it to one side. The other side contains sheep’s wool held by a lighter wattle formwork, which is then covered with a wool-redwood-clay daub.

Daub Mixture:

• Redwood Bark (1 Part)

• Clay Slip (1 Part)

• Sheep’s Wool

Wattle:

• Wood Branches Horizontal/ Vertical

Earth Plaster:

• Lime (1 Part)

• Clay (2 Part)

• Redwood (1 Part)

• Sand (2 Part)

• Water (1/2 Part)

Wattle and Daub Model Process

Step 1: Weave vertical branches between horizontal branches

Step 5: Apply Earth Plaster evenly

Step 2: Nail in horizontal wood branches to one side of framing, and weave in horizontal branches

Step 4: Apply a generous amount of Daub mixture to the opposite side of wattle

Step 3: Apply Sheep’s Wool between the two wattles