Hempcrete Workshop for Sustainable Construction

The Hempcrete Building Workshop, held in Pokhara from 3rd to 4th November 2023 and facilitated by Dhiraj Kumar Shah, Founder of Shah Hemp Inno-ventures, aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of Hempcrete as a sustainable construction material. The objectives included learning the principles and techniques of working with Hempcrete, gaining hands-on experience in its construction, fostering networking opportunities with experts and enthusiasts, accessing workshop materials, and emphasizing the development of a network among natural material-based enterprises, particularly focusing on the combination of Bamboo and Hemp for sustainable construction. This event served as a platform for knowledge exchange and skill development in the realm of environmentally friendly building practices.

Objectives:

The primary objectives of participation in the Hempcrete Building Workshop held in Pokhara were as follows:

Learn about Hempcrete: Understand the principles and techniques of working with Hempcrete as a sustainable construction material.

Hands-on Experience: Gain practical, hands-on experience in constructing with Hempcrete.

Networking: Interact with experts and fellow enthusiasts in the field, fostering networking opportunities.

Resource Access: Access comprehensive workshop materials and resources related to Hempcrete construction.

Enterprise Development: Facilitate the development of a network among natural material-based enterprises, emphasizing the combination of Bamboo and Hemp for sustainable construction.

Day 1

Participants arrived and checked in at Hotel Public Choice by 8 am. After breakfast at 9 am, the day commenced with a welcoming session, followed by an introduction to hemp as a construction material. Hemp, abundant in Nepal, was explained to be sourced from various regions, particularly western Nepal. The process involved drying hemp, extracting fiber for bags and clothes, and crushing the inner wooden part to produce Hemp shiv. The preparation of Hempcrete involved a mixture of Hemp shiv, lime, and catalyst pro in the ratio of 2:4:1 (By Weight). Throughout the day, a 10-inch Hempcrete wall of 10 ft in breadth and 8 ft of height was constructed using a filling process.

Day 2

The remaining portion of the wall was filled during the first half of the day. Subsequently, the wall was plastered using a mixture of lime, catalyst, and sand in the ratio of 2:2:1 (By Weight), completing the Hempcrete construction.

Day 3

Although the workshop was initially planned for two days, the Green Bamboo Creation (GBC) team extended their stay for an additional day to explore the bamboo-based market around Pokhara. The project manager visited hotels, resorts, and furniture showrooms to showcase bamboo-based construction and furniture, establishing positive relations with various organizations.

Findings

Speed of Construction: Hempcrete was identified as the fastest method of natural construction.

Natural Material Usage: More than 95% of materials used in construction were natural.

Durability: Hempcrete was acknowledged as a durable construction material with high value of fire resistivity.

Recommendations

Treated Bamboo Usage: The usage of treated bamboo is recommended to enhance the reliability, safety, and durability of bamboo structures.

Safety Prioritization: Prioritize the usage of safety gears and tools during construction activities.

Knowledge Exchange: Encourage the exchange of knowledge and experiences among bamboo-based and hemp-based enterprises to promote mutual growth and learning.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Hempcrete Building Workshop in Pokhara not only provided valuable insights into sustainable construction practices but also facilitated networking and collaboration among participants. The findings and recommendations aim to further enhance the effectiveness and safety of natural construction methods.