The hemp house: environmentally friendly and healthy for residents

Oana Suciu is an entrepreneur from Sibiu and the mother who founded the Waldkinder Kindergarten and the Stonehemp project together with her husband, Catalin Boteanu. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, Oana and Catalin understood the importance of returning to nature and connecting with the things that are really important.

We talked to Oana about the ongoing projects, about the beginnings of Stonehemp and about what determined her to open a Nordic kindergarten in Sibiu in the heart of nature, in Sibiel.

1. For people from Sibiu who have not heard of Stonehemp, please tell us what Stonehemp does and who is behind the business.
STONEHEMP is a family project, which is based on over 10 years of experience in the field of hemp cultivation and processing and the desire to introduce in Romania a healthy, natural and energy efficient way to build, which is ideal for homes. STONEHEMP means the combination of traditional and thousands of years old raw materials, hemp and hydrated lime, with modern technology for „green” constructions and renovations, healthy for residents and environmentally friendly.
Behind this business are Oana and Catalin, entrepreneur parents, vegetarians passionate about a healthy lifestyle, cooking, travel and sports. The industry formed around hemp was the one that brought us together from different fields, and at this moment we want to continue on this path with a common project with which we identify 100% in respect to vision and values.

2. Most of the businesses you have developed (Canah, Stonehemp, etc.) are based on hemp. Where did the love for this magical plant come from and when did you discover it?
My connection with this „miracle plant” began in 2005, when the Canah company emerged, where I contributed to the construction of the Salonta factory for the processing of hemp seeds, the development of derived products and their introduction on the European market. I remained in the hemp industry between 2014 and 2017, participating in laying the foundation of the HempFlax project in Romania, which meant cultivating hemp on about 700 hectares and building a factory for processing of stalks to fiber. Being present at trade fairs in the industry, I was strongly impressed by the qualities and diversity of constructions based on hemp and lime, a relatively new field in Europe, thus giving birth to my desire to introduce these alternative methods of construction in Romania.

3. What are the costs of such a house, compared to the classic materials used?
The costs of a house made of natural materials, with natural finishes and environmentally friendly technologies regarding thermal and electrical installations, etc. are definitely higher than those for a brick house with polystyrene and PVC windows. It is difficult to provide exact figures because they depend on many factors, which are not related to hemp and lime masonry. What is perhaps suggestive is that a house with masonry and stonehemp roof insulation, turnkey executed in Sibiu County (design, execution, finishes included, without furniture and lighting fixtures), would cost between 1200-1400 Euro/built sqm.

4. What are the advantages of a house built of hemp and lime versus a brick house?
It is a breathable material, it is permeable to water vapor, hygroscopic, it regulates the humidity in the atmosphere by absorbing vapors, releasing them when the humidity drops below the optimum level.
This extraordinary quality is important both for the health of the inhabitants and for the health and preservation of the construction over time. Regulating the humidity of the indoor atmosphere at an optimal level of 40-60% relative humidity helps to inhibit the perpetuation of viral and bacterial infections, allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory problems, it prevents the appearance of mites, molds and fungi.

It is naturally resistant to fire and vermin, does not require the use of chemicals, potentially toxic, to enhance these characteristics. This quality, together with the vapor permeability and the hygroscopic nature of the material, transforms the buildings made with Stonehemp into the healthiest living environments.
It has net negative carbon emissions, it is a 100% natural material, sustainable and biodegradable, which continuously absorbs CO2 after installation, this aspect leading, over time, to the transformation of hydrated lime into limestone. Approximately 165 kg of carbon can be stored in each cubic meter of masonry, which makes this material ideal for those who want to have as little impact on the environment as possible.
It combines a high degree of resistance with insulation capacity and high thermal inertia, compared to other construction materials that have certain deficiencies, as follows: concrete has high strength, but does not insulate and is unable to regulate humidity, and, on the other hand, very good insulating materials such as mineral wool or wool mattresses do not have thermal inertia due to their low density, as they have problems in managing moisture.

5. Tell us about another very nice project, the Waldkinder kindergarten, and tell us what the advantages of learning in nature are.
Waldkinder is by far the nicest and most meaningful project of mine, with an equal amount of work :-). It is a learning community through play and free exploration in nature, intended for children between 1 and 6 years. It is a place created and desired by two mothers, my friend Liviana and I, for our children, a fairytale place where children have direct access to the natural environment and its challenges, in any season, and through experiences generated by their own abilities and interests, children nurture their intuition, self-esteem and physical and emotional resilience. They are thus prepared for the future, whatever it will look like, and they grow in harmony with everything around them, aware of their uniqueness and attentive to the needs of others.
We believe in learning in the natural environment, through play and experiences generated by children themselves. Everything we do follows this philosophy. The child is at the center of our universe, a safe, warm, gentle and fun universe that feeds the natural developmental process of each child on a physical, social, cognitive, creative and emotional level.

6. Why did you choose Sibiu for both your projects and what connects you so closely to this city?
I was born in Sibiu and after 15 years in Bucharest I returned home where I chose Sibiel as an ideal place to lead a beautiful and simple life.

7. What is a child's schedule on a given day at the Waldkinder kindergarten?
There are no words that can convey the joy and energy of a day here. That's why we filmed an ordinary day with us: Link to video.

8. Is it difficult for a child who was used to the Waldkinder kindergarten to adapt to the classical education system afterwards? I think this is the main fear of parents.

Indeed, we often receive this question, mostly from parents or people outside our community. Our parents have two, three wishes regarding their children: to be happy, to be good people and to be healthy. Good and happy people, with this in mind we raise children who are part of our community. How else but good, when they spend all their time in nature, among trees, birds and bugs and borrow from them the harmony, resilience and joy of simple things, which are done with soul? And how other than happy, when they manage to build, since the first years, the emotional balance, physical health and confidence that will help them enjoy life, however life may look like tomorrow and in the years to come. Such a child can adapt to anything he will encounter in life, not just to the traditional school.
We started this project from the idea that the only constant in our children's lives will be change and that’s what we prepare them for. To be healthy, confident that they can handle any situation, with the certainty that they are ok the way they are at all times and that they don’t need to get a higher grade, be the first or move to the next level to become someone, to „deserve” respect and love, with the fascination and joy found in simple things so as not to run after something great as the only option for happiness, with the confidence that only united and as a team we achieve whatever we set out, that one wins only if we are all ok, and not if he is the first and alone, and with respect and gentleness towards everything and all those around us.
Our children will make a clear transition from kindergarten to school, regardless what school it will be and if they have to visit a traditional school with representative sitting in the bench they will manage this ability better than those who have had to sit at the table since they were 2-3 years old.
In addition, the findings of current research are increasingly demonstrative of the positive effects of education in nature through play and exploration: better results in international tests, physical health and stamina, deeper understanding of scientific and mathematical concepts, lower risk of attention disorders and better academic performance in general.
„The Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv, Children & Nature Network” (www.childrenandnature.org)

9. In closing, please tell us where those interested in your projects can find you and where we can find more information about your activities.
www.stonehemp.com, www.waldkinder.ro.

Thank you on behalf of the New Concept Living team and we wish you much success in the future!