Otetto is a design-led building ecosystem made up of two connected parts: Otetto Homes (architecturally designed homes for individuals and families), Living Canvas (our prefabricated hempcrete panel system. As a collective, we cover the full journey from design through materials to build — under one integrated model.
There a three stages before construction begins:
Certainly, all our designs comply with regulations for bushfire prone regions. Should you need a higher rating such as BAL 40 or FZ, please discuss with our team how we can modify our designs to meet these specifications.
Our homes are meticulously designed with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency. From advanced hemp insulation to high-performance windows, we prioritise features that not only enhance your comfort but also contribute to a reduced environmental impact. Our commitment to green building practices ensures that your home is not just a space to live but an eco-friendly haven that conserves energy, lowers utility costs, and minimises your carbon footprint.
Our panels deliver a thermal R-value of R-3.75 to R-4.25, well above minimum NatHERS requirements. Modelling shows hempcrete homes can reduce heating and cooling energy use by up to 60% compared to brick veneer.
Our architectural designs follow a modular design concept, allowing homeowners to adapt their living spaces by adding or removing rooms to align with their specific needs and lifestyle. This process will be guided by your Otetto design consultant and is subject to site and budget considerations.
We alleviate the stress associated with finish selection by pre-specifying finishes that harmonise with the principles of each home design.
Indeed, our Lomandra and Mulloway Homes are best suited to a sloping block or site.
Pricing transparency is central to how we work. We provide a comprehensive cost estimate upfront so you can confirm your budget with confidence before making any commitments.
We also recommend speaking with your bank or a financial advisor early in the process to make sure you’re clear on your options.
A CDC (Complying Development Certificate) application is a streamlined approval process for certain types of low-risk development that meets specific predetermined criteria set by the local council and state government. It typically involves a faster approval timeline compared to a DA (Development Application), as it bypasses some of the traditional planning assessment steps.
On the other hand, a DA (Development Application) is a more comprehensive process where proposed developments are assessed against local planning regulations and policies. It involves a thorough review by the local council or relevant planning authority, considering factors such as environmental impact, zoning regulations, and community concerns. The approval process for a DA usually takes longer than for a CDC, as it requires more detailed scrutiny and may involve public consultation or hearings.
Volume builders work from a fixed catalogue, often on tight margins that make customisation expensive and design an afterthought. Otetto Homes starts with your site, your life, and your values. We design around passive solar principles, use high-performance natural materials, and manage the process in clear, staged steps so there are no surprises.
You’ll also get a higher-performing home: better thermal comfort, lower energy bills, and stronger sustainability credentials. Homes with strong sustainability performance consistently attract a resale premium — that’s not a sales line, it’s documented in national research.
Volume builders appear cheaper upfront. Otetto builds are priced to reflect real quality and design rigour. The long-term cost of ownership tells a different story.
Otetto offers three architecturally designed prefab hempcrete homes — the Mulloway, Lomandra, and Corymbia. Each is modular, flexible in orientation, and built to perform. Our preliminary process is designed to explore your budget and vision, so let’s start that conversation.
We primarily service South East QLD, NSW, ACT, and VIC. Outside of these areas? Get in touch — we assess each location and site on a case-by-case basis.
Hempcrete is a bio-composite of hemp hurd (the woody inner core of the hemp plant) mixed with a lime binder and water. It’s been used in construction in Europe for decades and is now building a strong track record across Australia.
It’s breathable, non-toxic, and excellent at regulating temperature and moisture — which makes the inside of a hempcrete home feel noticeably different to a conventional build. It’s also non-combustible and carbon-negative over its lifecycle.
One important clarification: hempcrete is not structural on its own. It works in partnership with a structural timber frame. The hemp handles thermal, acoustic, and fire performance. The timber handles the load-bearing.
Hempcrete contains zero VOCs — unlike many conventional building materials. It breathes, which helps regulate moisture and prevent mould. Combined with 100% electric systems and high thermal performance, Otetto homes are designed to be genuinely healthier environments.
The material is. Hemp sequesters carbon as it grows, and that carbon is locked into the panels for the life of the building. Each home built with Living Canvas panels sequesters approximately 50 tonnes of CO₂ net — compared to a conventional brick veneer home that generates around 200 tonnes. That’s a 250-tonne swing.
Our 100% electric specification means no gas in the home and lower operational emissions over the building’s life.
We don’t use the word “sustainable” loosely. These are specific, verifiable numbers.
Our panels deliver a thermal R-value of R-3.75 to R-4.25, well above minimum NatHERS requirements. Modelling shows hempcrete homes can reduce heating and cooling energy use by up to 60% compared to brick veneer.
Yes — we coordinate and manage all external consultants on your behalf, so you don’t have to. Council and consultant fees are charged separately and paid directly by you, ensuring full transparency on those costs.
Not to have a conversation. But to begin Stage 1 meaningfully, you’ll want land — or at minimum, have it under contract. Site assessment is a core part of Stage 1; without land there isn’t much to assess.
We don’t publish fixed prices online, and there’s a good reason for that. Hit ‘Start Your Build’ and we’ll share a starting-from figure upfront. From there, Stage 1 is designed to give you a realistic, detailed cost for your specific project — that’s exactly what it’s for.
The comparison isn’t always straightforward. Volume builder base prices routinely exclude what’s standard in our scope — passive design, high-performance insulation, sustainable materials, and consistent project management.
The honest answer: we build to a higher standard and we don’t compromise on quality to compete on price. If the lowest upfront cost is the main priority, we’re likely not the right fit — and we’d rather be upfront about that now.
Hit ‘Start Your Build’ and tell us a little about your site, brief, budget, and timeline. If there’s a genuine fit, we’ll move into Stage 1. If not, we’ll be upfront about it. Either way, the initial conversation is completely free.
Otetto acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work, and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.