In the bustling world of sustainable architecture, Shelter Building Design stands out as a pioneering force, blending innovative materials with cutting-edge design principles. At the heart of this remarkable enterprise is Kirstie Wulf, the principal designer who has transformed her passion for natural building into a thriving business. Kirstie’s journey into the realm of sustainable construction began in 2011 when she was searching for the perfect material to build at Culburra Beach on the New South Wales south coast.
Initially drawn to Light Earth, a mixture of clay and straw, Kirstie’s path took a decisive turn when she stumbled upon an article in Owner Builder magazine about Hempcrete. Intrigued by its potential, she delved into research and soon realised the myriad benefits of this versatile material. Hempcrete boasts excellent insulation properties, offers some thermal mass, has low embodied energy, is vapor permeable, and is non-combustible. Enthralled by its advantages, Kirstie committed to constructing her home from Hempcrete, even though at the time, there were very few Hempcrete houses in Australia.
Completed in 2014, the Culburra Beach Hempcrete house was a trailblazer, one of the first of its kind in Australia. Its innovative design and sustainable materials caught the attention of the global architectural community and earned a place in the book “Hemp Buildings – 50 International Case Studies” by Steve Allin.
In 2015, riding on the success of her home project, Kirstie founded Shelter Building Design. Ironically, the firm’s inaugural project was a Light Earth house. Nonetheless, the company quickly became renowned for its expertise in natural building materials, with Hempcrete emerging as the material of choice for many of its projects due to its outstanding properties.
The pursuit of sustainability did not stop there. In 2020, Kirstie completed passive house training, earning her certification as a passive house designer. This milestone enabled her to design New South Wales’ first Hempcrete passive house, constructed by Blue Eco Homes. This groundbreaking project underscored Shelter Building Design’s commitment to merging sustainable materials with energy-efficient design.
Kirstie is not alone in this venture. She is joined by Kirsten Dudley, who shares a deep-rooted passion for natural building materials, and Karina Rafailov, another certified Passive House designer. Together, they form a formidable team dedicated to creating natural, healthy, and sustainable buildings.
Shelter Building Design has become one of Australia’s leading firms for Hempcrete projects, focusing on producing site-specific designs that harmonise with the orientation and microclimate of each location. Their philosophy centres on creating structures that are not only fit for purpose but also adaptable to the changing needs of their occupants.
In an era where sustainability is paramount, Shelter Building Design is at the forefront, crafting the blueprint for a greener future, one Hempcrete house at a time.
The Rise of Shelter Building Design | Photos
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