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Hemp is an extremely versatile material. It may have a complicated recent history due to medicinal and other uses, but the benefits of industrial hemp have been known for a long time. Jo Say, co-founder of the Hemp Building Association New Zealand explains why it’s a great time to start rediscovering some of the many benefits of building with hemp.
Jo first discovered hemp building with her own home. She was looking for a sustainable, natural material with good insulating qualities. Once she learnt about hemp and hempcrete, Jo couldn’t understand why others were not using it.
It might be naiveté, explains Jo, but she feels that massive change in the building industry is possible, it just requires a commitment to changing that mindset. Which is a commitment Jo has, as demonstrated by being a co-found of the Hemp Building Association of New Zealand.
What is Hempcrete?
Hempcrete is a construction material made from hemp hurd with lime binder and water. There is no cement. Hurd is the woody inner core of the hemp stalk.
Hemp Homes in New Zealand
At the time of recording, Jo knows of eight houses that have been constructed in New Zealand using hempcrete.
But interest is growing. You could say that hemp is starting to be used again, but it’s far from old. Hemp, says, Jo is actually a very old building material.
As a building material, hemp offers similar insulation to straw, but with more thermal mass. It also has good hygrothermal properties, meaning that it can help regulate the moisture in a building.
It’s also a very good option for reducing embodied carbon in a building.
Get Help with Hemp
The Hemp Building Association NZ was formed to gather together useful information relevant to New Zealand.
