siding to plastic lumber , acrylic paint , and asphalt shingles .
“ Petrochemical dwellings are only part of the problem . Globally , the building sector is a major source of planet-warming gases , and materials play a significant role . According to the World Green Building Council , construction materials and processes are responsible for 11 % of all energy-related emissions . Three materials — concrete , steel , and aluminum — account for 23 % of all emissions .” 4
The Advantages of Building With Hemp was incredibly enlightening and left me with a little more faith than I had previously . I think we are extremely close to mainstreaming hemp !
What ’ s the Slow Down ?
We know all the benefits of hemp building , so why are we not seeing more houses like this ?
A part of the answer is the perception hemp will cost us more . The required amount of building material itself isn ’ t as much as you think . In fact , it ’ s been previously estimated that to build a 1,250-square-foot house , it nies and asking if they can build us a hemp house . Just ask about hemp construction !
A hemp house can be a long-term return on investment because it offers effective insulation and self-regulating properties , drastically reduces energy consumption , and leads to affordable living .
Since hempcrete appears lightweight , some people are concerned about its durability . In fact , it can hold up against both fires and earthquakes .
The EU has a 6th-century hemp mortar bridge that withstood Viking conquests , multiple world wars , and natural disasters . During World War II , the Germans tried unsuccessfully to destroy it twice . The troubled history of this little bridge tells us that hempcrete tends to harden as it sets , meaning that time only makes it stronger .
The beautiful part of hemp ’ s life cycle is that at its end , hempcrete only goes back to nature , leaving no harmful waste behind , unlike the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore , which collapsed when a barge crashed into it last month . A hemp bridge would biodegrade .
For a small but growing community of building professionals , the solution lies in hemp .
Kaja Kühl , an urban designer whose firm , youarethecity , used hemp in the construction of two micro homes in New York ’ s Hudson Valley , is a fan . “ As an architect , I see hemp , together with other biogenic [ i . e ., natural ] materials , as building blocks to transition our design and building practices towards a regenerative post-carbon-built environment ,” Kühl ( she ) writes for the Yale Center .
Also , read about Kaja Kühl ’ s design for carbon neutral micro homes and other fantastic examples of “ Designing with Hemp + Lime : Open Source Detailing for Architects and Designers ” published by Parsons Healthy Materials Lab at www . youarethecity . com / category / blog /
Ryan Doherty , vice president of the U . S . Hemp Building Association trade group , says of hemp , “ It ’ s just like a tree — it can be used like wood for so many other applications .” Reading the publication from Yale University
Hempcrete home in Florida . Built to withstand hurricanes .
would take 2.5 acres of hemp . However , the main obstacle is that it is approximately 20-30 % pricier than concrete . 1
Don ’ t expect contractors to be able to jump right into using hemp building products –– because it isn ’ t your run-of-the-mill building material . You must hire builders and architects with specialized knowledge and training , and that is an additional cost . We have a learning curve that needs to be addressed ASAP . The only way to inspire construction companies to embrace this learning curve is to start asking for hemp products . We don ’ t have to be ready to build to start calling construction compa-
I like Green Camp ’ s final thought : “ It ’ s tempting to conclude a story about hemp houses with a comment on The Tale of The Three Little Pigs . Perhaps the first two were on to something ; we need to rethink our tales , endings , and future .” 1
References :
1 . Hemp Houses : A More Sustainable Way to Build and a Healthier Way to Live . https :// greencamp . com / hemp-houses /
2 . https :// hemptechglobal . com / page1 / page1 . html
3 . Yale Climate Connections features Climate Church , Climate World . https :// www . jimantal . com / post / yale-climate-connections-features-climate-church-climate-world
4 . https :// yaleclimateconnections . org / 2024 / 02 / could-your-next-home-be-made-of-hemp /
Dolores Montgomery Halbin , RN , BSN , and Ordained Nurse Minister , resides in SW Missouri . After her husband passed in 2015 , she retired from nursing . She worked with the 2014- 2018 Missouri campaigns for legalized medical marijuana . She continues as a cannabis reform activist volunteering with Canna Convict Project and working toward Federal decriminalization through educational speaking and freelance journalism . Dolores Halbin , doloreshalbin @ gmail . com . May 2024 45