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“Little Experiments, Big Crises”

By iHempNSW member Amanda Marsh from Otetto 

Harrison March presenting at the event

On September 26th, we were invited to participate in a symposium titled “Little Experiments, Big Crises” hosted by Sydney University in collaboration with the Alistair Swayne Foundation.

The symposium brought together architects, builders, manufacturers, and collaborators involved in the field of prefabrication.

Otetto was invited to discuss the use of hemp and sustainability, during which we delivered a presentation followed by an open panel discussion with leading sustainability architect Alexander Symes, moderated by Jennifer McMaster of Trias Studio.

It was an honour to contribute to such an engaging discussion focused on prefab housing in Australia, highlighting the ongoing tension between customisation and affordability.

Harrison, co-founder of Otetto, showcased Otetto’s two offerings: off-the-plan hemp homes and the early developments of our Living Canvas prefabricated walling system; that save time and costs while promoting access to sustainable and healthier homes.

A key takeaway from the event’s discussion was the need to shift people’s perceptions from customisation to standardisation, encouraging new home builders to embrace a curated, menu-like selection of home designs that are sustainable, accessible and highly liveable.

We look forward to continuing this discussion and being part of the movement that highlights how the combination of prefabrication and locally-grown hemp is the change Australian homes need.