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Pitch

Hempcrete is a sustainable material which if used extensively could result in our structures using much less energy to build and operate.


Description

Summary

Industrial hemp has been cultivated for millenia. The plant has many uses. Products that can be derived from hemp include food, clothing, paper, rope and the building material hempcrete. Unfortunately, as a side effect of the illegalization of Cannibis, the growing of industrial hemp is prohibited in the United States. 

In Britain, where farmers may obtain a license to grow industrial hemp, the use of hempcrete in building is starting to thrive. This video effectively presents the advantages of building with hempcrete.

Hempcrete poured into a form becomes stable almost immediately. This means that if a large computer-controlled movable "print head" could be devised, building walls could be made without form work. In other words, hempcrete could be a near perfect material for bringing 3D printing to the production of buildings.

 


Category of the action

Building efficiency, Social Action


What actions do you propose?

Proposed Actions

-A political effort to legalize the growing of industrial hemp in the United States

-A research effort to develop and explore the properties of hempcrete

-A research effort to develop and explore the technologies needed to "print" building walls using hempcrete


Who will take these actions?

No idea. Need help here.


Where will these actions be taken?

I would assume in the architecture and engineering departments of universities.


How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?

This is hard to calculate, but potentially, large-scale use of hempcrete could result in very significant emissions reductions.


What are other key benefits?

Using hempcrete for building walls is a very sustainable way to create our structures. Hemp buildings use natural materials that are resistant to insects. These materials do not emit harmful gases, and can easily be recycled at the end of a building's useful life. 


What are the proposal’s costs?

No idea.


Time line

Need help.


Related proposals


References

The Great Book of Hemp: The Complete Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and Medicinal Uses of the World's Most Extraordinary Plant

Hemp Lime Construction: A Guide to Building With Hemp Lime Composites

American Lime Technology

Hemp-Technologies

My Own Experiments with Hempcrete