This article was originally create here: Interview: CO Hempcrete Stargazing Villa Welcomes First Guests. 30th April 2025. By Jean Lotus
Hempcrete Stargazing Dome Villa
Building with the Stars: Sergiy Kovalenkov and Colorado’s Landmark Hempcrete Resort
Originally article featured on HempBuildingMag.com
Adapted for hempbuilding.au
A striking example of hempcrete’s global rise is taking shape under the clear skies of southern Colorado. The Kosmos Stargazing Resort, currently the largest planned hempcrete project in the United States, has opened its first off-grid hemp-lime villa—blending sustainable design, astronomy, and natural building methods.
At the heart of this innovative build is Ukrainian civil engineer Sergiy Kovalenkov, better known internationally as Doctor Hemphouse. Through his company Hempire Holdings, Kovalenkov has brought his global expertise in hemp-lime construction to the project, training locals in the San Luis Valley and collaborating closely with the development team at Naturalia Construction.
“This resort will help reignite the entire hemp building industry in the USA!” — Sergiy Kovalenkov, via social media
A Hempcrete Villa Under the Stars
The first villa—1,200 square feet of solar-powered, off-grid comfort—features hempcrete walls, a geodesic dome, jacuzzi, and telescopes for stargazing. It’s located just 15 minutes from Great Sand Dunes National Park and adjacent to a Dark Sky Preserve, making it an ideal ecotourism destination.
Twenty villas are planned for the 40-acre site. Future plans include a stargazing center with a mega-telescope, spa, and restaurant—all built with hempcrete.
While Naturalia is the construction company behind the project, Kovalenkov’s role has been pivotal in shaping not just the walls, but the broader educational and industry aspirations of the project. The villa’s construction method—initially prefabricated panels, now shifting to cast-in-situ—reflects Kovalenkov’s preference for tried-and-tested, performance-focused techniques.
“We started with panels. We realized that was not the best way to build. Now we see that cast on-site has just proven to be the most effective by far.” — Gamal Jadue Zalaquett, CEO of Kosmos
Natural Building Meets High-Tech Vision
Kosmos was founded by Gamal Jadue Zalaquett, a former tech sales executive who raised nearly $2 million through crowdfunding to realise the vision of a hempcrete resort with celestial connections. The villas are already booked out into 2026, with nightly stays expected to range from USD $400 to $700. Beyond accommodation, Kosmos also offers $10 “immersive stargazing sessions” led by trained astronomers.
“Hempcrete provided the perfect solution because it could all be done with local materials and local labor trained by a professional.” — Gamal Jadue Zalaquett
Zalaquett was drawn to hemp-lime after initially considering container homes. As he discovered the insulating, breathable, and mold-resistant properties of hempcrete, it became the obvious choice—not just for sustainability, but for health and harmony with the land and cosmos.
Educating Builders, Inspiring a Movement
Kovalenkov’s involvement goes beyond consultancy. Workshops at the site have already trained local crews in proper hemp-lime building techniques—a key part of the longer-term strategy to catalyse the hemp building movement in the US. With three more villas currently under construction, Kosmos is not just a resort but an evolving case study in natural building.
Zalaquett describes Kovalenkov as “one of the top experts in hemp-lime worldwide,” and the two are now discussing forming a global network of “hempers” dedicated to knowledge-sharing and innovation.
This spirit of open collaboration and on-the-ground skill building should resonate strongly in Australia, where the demand for upskilled hempcrete builders continues to grow alongside interest in low-carbon construction. The Australian industry could take note: Kosmos is aiming to host a hemp building festival in 2026, following a series of guided tours—something that could inspire similar initiatives here.
Lessons for Australia
What Kosmos highlights is not just the beauty and function of hempcrete, but the importance of pairing ambitious design with deep material knowledge. Kovalenkov’s leadership, hands-on training, and commitment to cast-in-situ methods echo themes familiar to many Australian hemp builders striving to demonstrate performance, reduce costs, and make hemp mainstream.Here at hempbuilding.au, we’ll be keeping a close eye on how the Kosmos project unfolds—and how Kovalenkov’s global work continues to raise the bar for what’s possible with hemp.
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