Tiny Hemp Houses

Everyone Deserves a Home

Modular

Sustainable

Portable

Bowen Built Tiny Hemp Home- Affordable Housing Solution coach-house, adult children, in-law suite Change your mind or when its time to move- Take it- or Leave it:

Limited only by your imagination The Vision

The Tiny Hemp Home will set a new standard for housing in our community and will demonstrate that it is possible to live in comfortable, ‘right sized’ homes which are healthy for both the people who live in them, and for the planet we live on-now and in the future. We believe everyone deserves a home. The first step is to take care of our community here on Bowen, and our designs fit into our cultural and historical context, reminiscent of the Orchard Cottages. We have deep roots here, and are building our factory right here. With over 15 years perfecting our `Hempcrete` material though custom builds, we have now designed a 530 sf modular cottage using a timber frame structure- but wrapped in a unique Hempcrete high performance building envelope, and with state of the art heating and mechanical technologies. The modular home structure is built into a metal skid, and winched onto a truck to be installed on site. Unique foundation technology safely secures the home, yet enables it to be removed from the foundation in the future. This portability adds economy and a sense of security and continuity to be found living in one house, which you own, throughout your life. These tiny, functional, beautiful spaces provide housing for young adults, the elderly, and other small households. It is also possible to connect 2 or 3 units, to accommodate a growing family. Power, heat, airflow and septic are all state of the art technologies which interface with the hempcrete wall system for maximum comfort with minimum cost. As the homes are both portable and scalable, we enable diversity and sustainability of our community. Hamlets of these homes will foster a sharing economy, effective use of resources and enable grey water and kitchen gardens. Building these communities could be a significant contributor to both near term and long term relief to our housing shortage. Our THH is designed to last a lifetime, and to survive an array of extreme conditions, from pests to fire, floods and earth/climate changes. Natural materials such as wood, glass, tile, stone are throughout the building, with extreme efforts made to reduce or eliminate endocrine-disrupting petrochemicals and other toxins. We believe that a home should keep us comfortable without endangering us or the environment.

Settled onto a gravel or concrete pad, or secured into a traditional foundation, this is a complete and idyllic sanctuary. Overview of the Tiny Hemp Home

The THH is a wood framed structure built into a metal skid, so it can be winched on to a truck and delivered to your site. The exterior dimensions are 14 x 24’, with a footprint of 340 sq. feet, and an additional 188 sq. feet in 2 lofts. The house is designed to accommodate another total outdoor living space of up to another 500 sq. ft. The floor joists are timber and insulation under floor is done with Hempcrete. The home is tucked under a double gable ended metal roof, enabling rainwater catchment to supplement municipal supply. The central area is 1.5 stories, with a loft above the bathroom on one side, and another over the living room and light pours in from all sides. Recycled materials are used whenever possible, such as for the double French doors in the entry. Windows are placed strategically to ensure maximum solar gain, natural light and privacy

The 8” thick walls are of Hempcrete infill, which is a rebar reinforced, monolithic integral wall system. (No vapour barrier or additional insulation is required) 7-foot-high ceilings and walls are plastered throughout with our Stonehemp natural plaster which comes in a range of beautiful colours. The hardwood and tile floors are heated by a hydronic solar powered heat pump. The wall system has excellent thermal mass and works beautifully with a state of the art ‘comfort system’; a home energy system which uses power generated through roof mounted solar panels, manages humidity and air flow temperature (cool to warm) thoroughly heating the home and hot water. The mechanical, electrical, water systems and appliances are innovative, enabling the home be connected to the electrical grid and sewer systems, taken off-grid, or hybrid-variations. Our houses strive to conserve resources, eliminate waste intelligently, utilize minimal energy even beyond Net Zero, and do not strain municipal sewage systems. Ventilation of the building uses “Natural Ventilation” techniques, in combination with the high efficiency envelope, and can be combined with 12V assistance and HEPA filtration.

The building is designed for the energy to be generated through condenser panels for AC/DC appliances, supplemented by propane for the range. There is a full kitchen, water closet, and a full bath. There is room for a high efficiency washing machine and a European-style drying closet, modified to run hydronically. We offer a traditional “wet” plumbing hook up to an existing septic system, or a stand-alone system, with composting toilet and Class 3 septic and grey water solution. Kim Brooks and Jayeson Hendyrsan. Partners

We are pioneers in the green building industry, and co- founders of Hempcrete Natural Building, a Bowen based business whose mission is to create ‘Homes for Everyone’. Using the material we created using industrial hemp fiber, and collaborating with experts globally for 16 years, we have an impressive repertoire of custom projects.

With the appalling housing shortage within our community, we have been deeply concerned, and recently turned our attention to the Tiny Hemp Home project as a viable solution. We have created a team of dedicated professionals working together for a shared vision, including; -Bowen based Robyn Fenton as our architect and local state of the art plumbing and heating expert QMata. -2 wonderful clients (one here on Bowen) who have purchased our early prototypes. -Local electrician, excavators, truckers. -We have also temporarily addressed the housing shortage in our own small way and have opened our own home to provide housing to a group of 5 carpenters and skilled tradesmen. -Our team of engineers who are working together to ensure the safety and effectiveness of every part of our design. Their stamps will be on all our innovative solutions, including structural, mechanical, electrical, and our septic engineer who is currently rewriting the septic code for our Provincial government in Victoria. Investors, Researchers, Partners and Planners Our 16 years of Hempcrete research has been primarily self-funded. We have worked with our local authorities right from the start, as we initiated laboratory testing and research reports for our building inspectors and planners. Our transparency and partnering approach has enabled us to receive a lot of municipal support.

We have also had the help of University of Manitoba and are working with IRAP, NSERC and other government entities to enable ongoing research for future models.. Our important (anonymous) customers` belief in our product has made it possible to get to this stage. We are engaging several new Board members, and angel investors. Members of this community, Council, friends and neighbours have encouraged us to pursue this business

Business Model Our business model is to build out our facility here on Bowen and contribute to housing solutions here. We will provide full time work for approximately 10 people locally. We have had interest in potential purchase of several individual units purchased to install on one`s own, or leased land, plus inquiries regarding group-purchased land for Hemp Hamlets. This exciting model would require land-use bylaw adjustment similar to Beltarra. Our Vision is that the Council will show enthusiasm for our project for required land use adjustment for our homes (and others who qualify) as they surpass current `green standards by `measure of a quantum leap.

As we become more established we will be selling franchises to other regions, offering not only housing solutions but economic viability to their communities, as the growing of hemp, processing it and utilizing it for the building offers a myriad of job opportunities to a poor region. The Bowen facility will remain the research center. We are also pursuing a non for profit investment model. Clean Green Energy Solutions

The mechanical, electrical, water systems and appliances are highly innovative, enabling the home be; • Fully connected to the standard electrical grid and sewer systems • Taken off-grid • Or a multitude of hybrid-variations. Features include condenser panels (similar to solar panels but more advanced and better for our climate), appliances for AC/DC or propane.

Ventilation of the building uses “Natural Ventilation” techniques, in combination with the high efficiency envelope, and can be combined with 12V assistance and HEPA filtration.

Our houses strive to conserve resources, eliminate waste intelligently, utilize minimal energy even beyond Net Zero, and do not strain municipal resources. Water and Septic. It is easy being green

Our septic engineer is Ian Ralston, EngL- a provincially While it’s a hard subject for some to consider, ignoring the recognized expert on onsite sewerage systems. Ian is the author problem is not a solution. Living on the Rock for over two of the Ministry of Health's Manual of Composting Toilet and decades, we think it’s time to get serious about alternatives. Greywater Practice, and co author of the BC Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual. Rainwater catchment off of the metal roof provides water for the gardeners. We also encourage wells and cisterns. Ian specializes in low impact sewerage systems, working with natural treatment. He approaches integrated resource management and Ecosan systems which consider "waste" as a resource. You can select our ‘green’ solution or your system can be fully traditional, with BC Hydro and regular flush toilets on traditional septic fields. Ian has designed a pre-engineered septic and wastewater package for our Tiny Hemp Home. This is engineered to facilitate the approval of Coastal Health for your site. A few hours Our homes are designed to accommodate of his time are included in the cost of your home. your situation and budget-you decide.

A compost toilet, with exterior (outside the home) waste/soil disposal system is easier than you might imagine and a sanitary safe solution. In other island communities in BC, compost toilet service businesses have sprung up, coming periodically to collect the waste and deliver it to sanctioned compost centers. This enables the user to enjoy the benefits without having to think about it. Options are also available for a bio-digester and greywater system. Moving your new home

Many companies are highly experienced in moving manufactured and modular homes. The roof is installed once the house is on site, which saves over-height delivery costs. Installation crews are available to install and hook up to your pad and/or affix it to your foundation, enabling it to be a permanent dwelling, the same as any other home. If you are ready to move a few years later- your home comes along for the ride. Hemp Hamlets

Our tiny house can be installed on shared land to create small communities. There is significant economy of scale in this approach. Even a ½ acre lot could accommodate several families, with room left over for food production and social areas. Sharing the costs for the land purchase, rain water and greywater systems etc., gives folks a chance to leverage limited resources to create private yet affordable and friendly places. So how much will this cost?

While we are still finalizing the budget for the tiny houses we feel confident that we can produce these home for a price competitive to standard mobile homes and other manufactured or modular homes, yet with all the advantages and qualities described.

The basic 2 bedroom unit, ready to ‘pull away’ to install on your site and move in will be approximately 170,000+ tax. As we build volume we aim to bring this price down by at least 10%.

As our homes have an option to be fixed to a foundation (ie modular) or portable, this offers flexibility to buy the home and rent land until you are ready to purchase land.

Mortgages for modular homes are currently available from most financial institutions. Our local First Credit Union is very interested in supporting our project. Mortgages may be obtained for group land purchase, and loans for individual purchases to be installed on a leased property are also available.

An estimate for monthly payment with 15% down payment would be $800 per month. Even adding the cost of leasing a small section of (a friend or parent`s) land would be a far more affordable option than our current options. Plus the purchaser has an asset- a home that they can sell, or move to their own land one day. WHAT IS HEMPCRETE? HEMPCRETE IS A FIBER REINFORCED LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE. IT IS PRIMARILY COMPRISED OF HEMP HURD AND FIBER, LIME, SAND, CLAY, WITH ABOUT 2% CEMENT. IT IS MIXED AND POURED INTO FORMS, THEN PLASTERED WITH STONEHEMP AND FINALLY, COLOURED WITH NATURAL PIGMENTS. IN GENERAL IT IS NON-STRUCTURAL FOR BEST PERFORMANCE, HOWEVER CAN HOLD ITSELF UP JUST FINE! USUALLY WRAPPED AROUND A POST AND BEAM STRUCTURE

Cool in summer Warm in winter, INTRINSIC VERSUS ADDED BENEFITS OF HEMP-FIBRE CONSTRUCTION

Low maintenance- The natural pigment never needs re ‘painting' Plaster creates a waterproof, breathable shell around the house Exceptionally quiet from both interior and exterior noise Cost effective construction. Long term value Reduced/eliminated use of petrochemicals and other allergens Aesthetically pleasing with other materials; stone tile, wood Thermal mass assists temperature control in both low and high temperatures Insect and rat resistant (proof!) Fireproof and earthquake resistant Carbon neutral/negative construction Pozzolonic vs Hydroscopic- material ‘breathes’ and moisture evaporates naturally. No vapour barrier or water buildup (leaky condo syndrome) History A hempcrete-like material was discovered in a bridge abutment in France built in the 6th century. Since its rediscovery it has seen growing use in Europe, China, Australia and Bowen Island …

Given it has survived 14 centuries, people expect that modern hempcrete buildings will have a long life. In 1986 Charles Rasettti in France repaired Tudor houses with modern hempcrete.

What do all of us need and want? 1- Food 2- Shelter 3- Security 4- Community 5- Economic prosperity (doing what we love and receiving something back)

LTD. We need to look at a new way of building measured in centuries, not decades. Imagine a Bowen with a culture built around a 200 year old community center; a place for farmers markets concerts and rallies…

If we could imagine any legacy, it would be that generations of children (including our own great grandchildren) living and loving in a space that we helped to create… a space that nurtured and sustained. It’s those memories in the children that will impel them to be rooted to their culture as adults.

LTD.