Last Friday, I had the opportunity to dive back into the world of hempcrete at a hands-on Hemp Building Practical Workshop near Cressy, Tasmania. Hosted by The Hemp Masonry Company at X-Hemp, it was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with this incredible material—not just as a designer, but by getting my hands dirty, feeling the mix.
Having designed buildings with hempcrete before, I know its benefits in theory. However, there is something about actually working with it that brings a deeper appreciation. The process, the texture, the way it sets—it all makes you realise just how special this material is. This was not my first time mixing hempcrete; revisiting the hands-on experience was incredibly rewarding. It reinforced why I believe in this material so much.
A Growing Industry, A Local Opportunity
The hempcrete industry is growing rapidly in Australia, and we are lucky to have it here in Tasmania. Hempcrete is an amazing, natural building material with huge potential for sustainable, energy-efficient construction. Over the past decade, The Hemp Masonry Company has worked on over 240 residential projects and even some major commercial builds, like the refurbishment of UTAS’s Forestry Building. Seeing hempcrete gain traction here is exciting—it is a step towards a more sustainable building future.
As Andy Lucas, the Managing Director of X-Hemp, told us during a presentation in front of school kids, this is both a new and old industry. Hemp has been used for centuries in various forms, and now it is making a well-deserved comeback as people seek healthier, more sustainable ways to build.
The Workshop Experience
This workshop was not just about watching—it was about doing. We mixed hempcrete ourselves, learning the right balance of hemp hurd, water, lime, and sand. There is a simple joy in testing the mix, squeezing it into a ball to see if it holds together. The process of layering it into formwork, tamping it down, and understanding the best way to build up a strong, well-insulated wall really brought home the craft of it.
One of the most exciting moments was revealing the finished wall by taking the formwork off. There is always a moment of suspense, wondering how the texture and structure have come together. Seeing the hempcrete take shape, solid yet organic, was truly satisfying.
One of the coolest parts was experimenting with oxide pigments to colour sections of the wall. The result? A stunning, textured piece that reminded me of a Rothko painting. Who knew hempcrete could be art?
Why You Should Try It
If you are a builder, architect, or even just someone interested in sustainable building, I cannot recommend this workshop enough. It is one thing to read about hempcrete, but getting hands-on makes all the difference. Plus, for professionals, it counts towards CPD points.
If you are curious to learn more or want to get involved in a future workshop, I highly encourage you to reach out to The Hemp Masonry Company at hempmasonry.com.au. This is an industry that’s growing, and now is a great time to be part of it.
For me, this experience just reinforced why I love working with hempcrete—it is sustainable, practical, and just a joy to build with. And if you ever get the chance to try it yourself, take it—you will not regret it!
You can also read our blog about working with hempcrete: Hemp: Houses that breathe so you can too
And if you are really keen, check out this very short video showing the mixising of the hempcrete during the workshop.
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