“My ADU project proposes a panelized hempcrete housing system designed for small backyard sites in Queens, New York. The house uses 16-inch-wide, 8-foot-tall hempcrete panels framed by a double-stud timber system and organized through a 16 × 16 inch grid. This modular logic allows the building layout to remain flexible while making construction faster, cleaner, and more suitable for narrow urban lots where cranes or large prefab modules are difficult to use. The wet areas are concentrated to simplify plumbing, while the remaining spaces can be arranged more freely. Because each panel can be manually carried through tight side yards, the system reduces neighborhood disruption and supports a small-scale prefabrication process. The design also uses porches, setbacks, and seasonal outdoor spaces to expand living areas into the yard, creating a compact but adaptable ADU that combines low-carbon material use, efficient construction, and a more social relationship with the backyard.”
