Denver Hills - Hemp Home
Address: 13880 North Trail Circle Littleton CO 80127
Architect: Milburn Home Design LLC
Milburn Home Design LLC
David is an architect with decades experience designing sustainable homes throughout Colorado, New Mexico and Wisconsin. He specializes in southwest-style homes built with unique features. He takes his clients through a visual experience to ensure their dreams are accounted for. He isn't afraid to incorporate new building techniques or materials so his latest design is a fully cast in place hempcrete home in Littleton, CO.
https://www.facebook.com/MilburnHomeDesignLLCBuilder: Healthy Hemp Homes
MEP: Elephant Energy
Structural: Crown Jade Engineering
Timber Framing: Elevated Design Build
Hemp Expert: Hemp Building Co
Owners: Darren & Sarah Straus
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Access & Parking: Access via a dirt slope drive that requires 4×4 vehicles. Please park at the top of the hill and walk down.
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SUMMARY
Built: 2026
Size: 3,583-SF
Budget: $1,200,000 (20% ➔ performance premiums)
Type: New Construction
Performance: All-Electric, Net Zero
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NARRATIVE
The Straus Hemp House began design in February 2024. After a difficult journey with the county where we had to apply for a variance, it was approved in May of 2025. Construction began in February 2026 after a few months of getting the septic and water up to code. Excavation, foundation, framing and now hempcrete has brought us to the summer. Hempcrete will complete in early August 2026 and then interior work will begin.
The home will have some unique features like a stained glass nook window; massive bay windows, an in-ground tile walkway, and exposed viga beams. The view overlooks the front range with a wrap around deck nestled into the heart of the foothills.
MATERIALS & CONSERVATION
Fire resilient features: Exterior walls are ASTM 1 hour fire rated.
Materials: The house walls will be cast in place hempcrete making it fireproof, mold proof and pest proof. The hempcrete walls reduce the heat load by 70%.
Conservation: All hempcrete waste is being reused back into the mixer to minimize waste. Certain wood products in the house will be purchased 2nd hand.
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SPECIFICATIONS
WINDOWS
Spec: Andersen, Uf 0.33
ENVELOPE + INSULATION
Airtightness: TBD
Wall underground: R-24 Hempcrete (9" min, R-2.4~4.0/in)
Wall aboveground: R-24 Hempcrete (9" min, R-2.4~4.0/in)
Roof: R-49 Hemp Wool x 2 layers with 1" air space
MECHANICAL
Heat Pump: Mitsubishi MXZ-SM36NAMHZ2-U1 (solar powered)
Water heater: LG APHWC501M Heat Pump, 58Ga
Radiant Heat: Bathroom floors only
ON-SITE RENEWABLES
PV: 18x Axitec Solar 690 Watt Panels (AC-690TGB/123TS)
ㅤㅤ2x aPower S 11.5kW Inverter (FranklinWH)
ㅤㅤ1x aPower S Battery, 2x aPower 2 (FranklinWH)
OTHER GREEN FEATURES
EV Charging
Induction cooktop
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