![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2026\/04\/565e0810-3eff-42c0-9_22907.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
“I’m doing stuff outside of my comfort zone, that’s for sure, but I love that.”<\/p>\n
Central to the design is hemp, a plant-based material Bakker believes could transform the construction industry.<\/p>\n
“In Zac’s house we’re using it structurally,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We’re using it as an MDF particle board replacement, but there’s quite a few different ways we’re using it which is really exciting.”<\/p>\n
For Bakker, projects like Efron’s Greenhouse represent a shift in how buildings are made and who benefits.<\/p>\n
“At the moment our building materials come out of mines, or out of forests,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Because of this, we’ve lost an insane amount of biodiversity and there’s no need for that.”<\/p>\n
Bakker said hemp could also help restore ecosystems while supporting local farmers.<\/p>\n
“Our farmers can supply the materials to build the houses of the future and in the process restore their soil,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I’m not saying that we need to start producing monoculture hemp crops.”<\/p>\n
“I’m just saying that we need to introduce hemp as a crop rotation for farmers, because the benefits are tenfold.”<\/p>\n
Bakker will also share his approach to sustainable building in an upcoming webinar hosted by iHemp NSW on April 23.<\/p>\n
iHemp NSW executive committee volunteer Lisa Flower said interest in industrial hemp is growing, particularly in construction.<\/p>\n
“There seems to be a growing interest in industrial hemp for building in particular, but also the textile side of it as well,” she said.<\/p>\n
Flower said the organisation regularly hosts webinars throughout the year and is looking forward to Bakker’s involvement.<\/p>\n
“We’re not surprised that he’s behind hemp, because it has so many sustainable credentials to its name,” she said.<\/p>\n
She said high-profile projects like Efron’s Greenhouse could help drive broader adoption of the material.<\/p>\n
“I think that having someone high profile like Zac Efron build what is being called one of the most sustainable houses in the world is a great way to profile hemp in Australia,” she said.<\/p>\n
Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with Efron set to take an active role in the build.<\/p>\n
“He’s definitely going to get involved,” Bakker said.<\/p>\n
“It’s the first time he’s ever built a house, so he’s pretty excited.”<\/p>\n
The webinar will be held on April 23 from 7pm to 8pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A SUSTAINABLE home designed for actor Zac Efron in the Northern Rivers is set to begin construction in the coming weeks, with zero-waste design innovator Joost Bakker leading the project. Efron’s home, described as a “Greenhouse”, will use materials such as hemp and incorporate soil as a structural element, reflecting the actor’s growing connection to […]<\/p>\n