Building a meaningful home

While on a ladder ramming wet hempcrete into wall cavities of Tom’s soonto-be home, I chat to the architect, permaculturist, teacher and surfer and find out what it’s like bringing a hempcrete house to life.

Hempcrete, also known as hemp concrete or hemp lime, is a biocomposite made from a mix of hemp plant wood, lime binder and water. The result is a lightweight material with excellent insulation properties that weighs about six to eight times less than concrete.

Hempcrete is a great choice for sustainable builds due its ability to store carbon after being harvested. It’s also free from toxic or hazardous materials, is highly resistant to mould and repels pests like cockroaches, rodents and termites. For Tom, hempcrete was the natural choice for a home nestled deep in