Hemp Homes: A home-grown building material that saves the earth
In the ever-evolving quest for sustainable living, few construction materials offer as much promise and versatility as hempcrete. This innovative material, derived from the hemp plant, is reshaping the construction industry and addressing pressing issues such as climate change and housing crises. The latest episode of the Homefullness Show (podcast), hosted by Zola with guests Jo Say and Barbara Proven, delves into the specifics of hempcrete, showcasing personal stories from experts and enthusiasts who are pioneering its use in building sustainable homes.
Hempcrete: A Sustainable Construction Revolution
Hempcrete is a unique blend of the hemp plant's woody core (called "hurd"), lime binders, and water. This combination creates a biocomposite material that is lightweight, excellent for insulation, and incredibly eco-friendly. Importantly, hempcrete is a carbon-negative material, meaning it captures more carbon dioxide during the growth of the hemp plant than is emitted during production.
Jo, Chair of the Hemp Builders Association in New Zealand, highlights hempcrete's potential. She explains that on just three acres, hemp can be grown over four months, processed, and used to construct a house. This not only provides a renewable building resource but also offers a solution to New Zealand's housing and climate crises by reducing reliance on carbon-intensive materials like concrete.
Jo's Vision: A Hempcrete Subdivision
Jo is spearheading the development of New Zealand’s first hempcrete subdivision. This groundbreaking project aims to create a community where all the homes are built using hempcrete, showcasing its potential as a mainstream building material. She believes that whether it's on Iwi or Pakeha land, communities can harness local resources to produce their own construction materials and build environmentally friendly houses. This initiative not only promises to reduce carbon footprints but also fosters rural, regenerative models viable for the country's future housing needs.
Barbara's Journey: Building a Hemp Home
Barbara is one of the first individuals in New Zealand to live in a home built entirely from hempcrete. Her story exemplifies the personal and communal aspects of this endeavor. She originally sought to construct a breathable, sustainable home and found her answer in hempcrete through local builders passionate about the material.
Building her 120-square-meter hemp home was an 8-month journey. While initially challenging due to the need for imported materials, this process has now paved the way for others in New Zealand, as local hemp production is increasing. The house, which doubles as a bed and breakfast, showcases hempcrete’s impressive insulation capabilities, keeping the home warm in winter and cool in summer, with superior acoustic properties. Barbara's experience advocates not only for the material but also for a broader cultural shift towards more sustainable and participatory building practices.
The Versatility and Benefits of Hemp
Hemp's versatility extends beyond construction; it serves as a multifunctional resource offering applications in medicinal products, clothing, and other industries. Advocates like Jo and Barbara emphasize its potential to regenerate landscapes, promote sustainability, and offer communities autonomy over their building resources.
Conclusion
This is a game-changing building material--the future of homebuilding in New Zealand and beyond holds incredible potential with hempcrete at the forefront. As we move towards more sustainable construction practices, embracing materials that mitigate environmental impacts becomes crucial. Hempcrete is leading the charge as a viable, planet-friendly alternative, offering hope and practical solutions for those seeking to revolutionize their living spaces.
Get Involved and Learn More
If you're as inspired by hemp and its potential as we are, consider supporting the Homefullness Show through our Patreon page or joining upcoming events organized by the Women Revolutionizing Housing Network. More details can be found on the Common Ground website. Together, let's create sustainable communities that respect the planet and elevate our quality of life.
www.commonground.net.nz
https://www.patreon.com/commonground_zola
https://hba.nz/
