In the near future, citizens around the world will have the opportunity to live in economical, sustainable, and secure housing made entirely from hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant.
Not only can the prefabricated abodes be constructed in a fraction of the time modern-day homes require, but they are also said to be more durable and affordable, as well as earthquake-resistant.
The progressive home was constructed by Dun Agro, a Dutch company specializing in “hemp concrete,” also referred to as “hempcrete.” Hemp is a versatile variety of the cannabis plant. It can be used to make everything from industrial building materials and food to clothing and bio-fuel. Unlike its cousin, hemp does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As a result, it is impossible to get “high” from ingesting or using the material.
Dun Agro hempcrete is made from hemp fibers, water and glue. After it is pressed together in a mold to make prefab sections for houses, the mixture dries over a period of three months. Then, all sections of the home can be assembled.
On November 30th, Dun Agro put its hemp home on display. The company has already completed its second hemp home and has plans to build and sell more in the near future. In fact, with the present output of hemp in the Netherlands, the company estimates it can produce up to 500 hemp houses per year. If the demand increases, that number can easily be scaled up.
Dun Agro isn’t the first company that has attempted to build a prefabricated hemp house. However, the company does claim to be the first to have succeeded in doing so. The company lists the negative CO2 footprint as a primary benefit of purchasing a hemp home. Hemp takes on 13,500 kilos of CO2 when it grows and it remains stored in the hempcrete.
Right now in the Netherlands, 1,100 hectares of agricultural land is being used to grow hemp. Farmers are choosing to cultivate the crop for extra income and to benefit the environment.
You can build me a hemp house for display if you want!
Is it resistant to mold?
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