Project_01 | Ballyglunin Art Gallery

GMIT Arch. Techn. Four Year | Design & Details Studies Project 

Autodesk Revit | Hempcrere & Timber Frame Building Fabric 

There is growing concern about the impact of human activity on the Earth’s resources.  Utilising resources in a sustainable manner is a challenge;  it involves considering every point of their  life-cycle, avoiding  over-exploitation  and  reducing the environmental and  social impact of their use.  Some renewable building materials can provide simple solutions. For example, hemp and lime “hempcrete” is a material that produces Zero Carbon Buildings and has excellent insulation and air-tightness qualities.

The dissertation “Hempcrete: a viable building material for use in the construction  industry in  Ireland",  analyses the advantages and disadvantages of hempcrete and the growing use of this product in the country, taking  as  a  case study Ballyglunin  Art Gallery. 

This project involves the restoration, extension and changing of the use of a goods shed to an  art  gallery with three  art  studios at  Ballyglunin Railway Station, Co. Galway. The building is designed to meet the requirements of  TGDs  Building  Regulations for public  buildings with protected structures. The  proposed extension buildi ng is a timber frame covered with hempcrete.

 West Elevation                                                          

East Elevation                                                            

Sustainable development 

“The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their  own  needs”.    The  World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED)

Hemp-Lime “Hempcrete”

Hempcrete is a renewable material composed by the mixture of the woody core of the hemp plant, also known as ‘hurd’ or ‘shiv’ and a lime based binder with the addition of water.

Hempcrete is rigid lightweight material that is infill  cast  or  sprayed  around  a  timber  framework for walls, roof and floors.

Hempcrete creates a breathable building fabric as it allows  moisture-laden  air  to pass through the  structure,  while maintaining thermal properties that insulation and durability.

Hempcrete Corner Wall Plan detail                              

Hempcrete wall and green roof detail                        

The drawings  and virtual  model  are produced using Autodesk Revit 2013.