The seminar will provide an introduction and detailed explanation of the various ways to use hemp in construction of housing and bigger buildings. It will be illustrated with examples of hemp buildings from the UK, Ireland and around the world. Hempcrete or hemp lime, casting, spraying, blocks and offsite construction will be outlined as well as other hemp composite materials.

There will be discussion of how to handle approvals where elemental “u” values may appear to raise problems. Issues of certification and dealing with opposition and hostile propaganda against hemp to be included. There will be some feedback from a hemp challenge lab event at University of Suffolk and meetings about establishing European standards for hemp organised by the European Industrial Hemp Association as well as proposals for hemp building standards in the USA.