Civil Engineering August 2022 | Vol 30 No 7

16 August 2022 Civil Engineering A partnership between three Cape Town-based companies, Hemporium, R&N Master Builders and Afrimat Hemp, 84 Harrington Street is setting the benchmark for how to build a safe, carbon-neutral, multi-storey building using hemp blocks and hemp systems. There is a massive increase in the global demand for bio-based construc- tion, driven by the need for the reduction of CO₂ emissions. Hemp construction is considered the gold standard for CO₂ reduction in buildings. The benefits of using hemp in a multi-storey building are numerous and include: Q Q Hemp is 100% natural, CO₂ absorbing, energy saving, and durable Q Q The superior acoustic performance ensures privacy between units Q Q The ability of hempcrete to easily absorb and release moisture assists with regulating the buildings’ internal humidity, thus maintaining a healthy indoor air quality Q Q The lower density of the hemp blocks reduces the load of the walls on the foundations and therefore the cost of concrete Q Q Using hemp blocks reduces the CO₂ footprint of a building as well as its operational CO₂ footprint. THE STORY BEHIND 84 HARRINGTON STREET “I bought 84 Harrington in 2016, with the idea being that it would become the flag- ship Hemporium store, a steak restaurant, and house the ‘Hemp Hotel’, a place where people can experience living in a hemp-constructed space,” says Duncan Parker, Founding Partner and CEO of Hemporium. “From a sustainability and eco- construction perspective, we wanted to take hemp construction in South Africa to the next level, while also contributing to the inspiring hemp construction projects being undertaken globally. “We also believed that once licences for the commercialisation of hemp in South Africa were issued, having innova- tive examples of what can be achieved with hemp would assist with leading the way for the fledgling hemp industry in South Africa,” adds Parker. The South African government has initiated a drive to create employment within the industrial hemp sector, making the timing for developing hempcrete- based construction materials ideal. Previously, hemp houses built in South Africa used hempcrete. For a project of 84 Harrington’s scale, this was not feasible, and inspiration was taken from hemp blocks developed in Europe. The creation of hemp blocks is a viable way to commer- cialise hemp in the construction industry, and Hemporium sought out strategic partners to make this project a reality. The building was designed by Wolf & Wolf Architects, a small practice special- ising in contemporary and sustainable architecture that is considered a pioneer of hemp construction in South Africa. “They are passionate about pushing the envelope of hemp construction and have set a precedent that will aid in stimulating the new hemp industry in South Africa,” says Tony Budden, Founding Partner and Director of Hemporium. Afrimat Hemp supplied the hempcrete blocks and building systems for 84 Harrington Street. A subsidiary of Afrimat, Afrimat Hemp focuses on carbon-neutral construction and unlocking value in the industrial hemp sector. The company has developed its own formulated lime binder for hempcrete and is producing hempcrete blocks at one of its commercial block plants. R&N Master Builders also played a major role in the construction of the building, pioneering commercial bio- based construction for the future. “Having a reputable and skillful contractor like R&N made this project possible and showed that they are forward-thinking and ahead of the pack when it comes to the construction sector,” says Boshoff Muller, Managing Director at Afrimat Hemp. CREATING AN INDUSTRY Hemporium’s long-term goal is to continue to promote legislative change so that culti- vation of industrial hemp in South Africa becomes a mainstream reality. The hemp industry could provide solutions to many of the challenges that South Africa faces by way of sustainable housing, nutrition and job creation. Afrimat Hemp also expands its upstream hemp processing capabilities through its built technology. This will help enable the hemp value chain to be unlocked cost-effectively in South Africa for all. Afrimat Hemp is also committed to creating jobs in South Africa and contributing to a sustainable, carbon- neutral future.  World’s tallest building constructed with hempcrete A global first, 84 Harrington Street in Cape Town is officially the world’s tallest building constructed using hempcrete blocks and hemp building materials. 84 Harrington Street, the world’s tallest building constructed using hempcrete blocks