The Problem: We have a housing crisis on our hands. Not enough housing is usually the topic de jour but buildings are also making people sick. So if you are lucky enough to have a home, the structure itself is not designed to keep you healthy. In fact, it is estimated that 70% of houses in America have mold issues and are making people sick.
The Solution: Imagine a home that breathes. A structure that sequesters carbon, regulates its own humidity, and stands strong for centuries, all while being comfortable and healthy for its inhabitants.
This isn’t a futuristic fantasy; it’s the present reality offered by regenerative building materials like hempcrete, and it’s a future being actively forged at places like Haven Village in Tennessee founded by Imani Mamalution and Paul Rivers Richardson.
My boys and I visited Haven Village in September to do immersive research for the Regenerative World Quest (case study coming soon) Here is the short video we made about the trip. The village is nestled on 216 acres of land that is both close to local attractions and tucked away in a quiet corner of the state. What really caught our attention about this community is that they are 100% debit free, sovereignly governed and they build with hempcrete, a truly regenerative building material! They are the first official community for the USA chapter of the quest. Twelve (international) communities down, only 50-80 more to go!
One really cool outcome from our visit, is that Haven Village received 12 ancient redwood and sequoia clones from our partner the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive (blog and video coming soon on this cool project that has the ability to truly heal the world!) to jump start their reforestation efforts with the more resilient tree DNA on earth!
Haven Village isn’t just a community; it’s a living laboratory for sovereign living, deeply rooted in regenerative practices and a profound connection with nature. Among their many innovations, the Haven Earth Trade School stands out, teaching vital skills in hempcrete building and architecture led by the visionary Paul River Richardson. It’s here that the principles of regenerative building are not just discussed but put into practice, offering a tangible vision of how we can construct regenerative communities.
Hempcrete: A Material for the Ages (and the Environment)
So, what exactly is hempcrete, and why is it so revolutionary? It’s a bio-composite material made from the woody core of the hemp plant (hemp hurds- that is usually a waste product) mixed with a lime-based binder and water. Unlike traditional concrete, which is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, hempcrete is a carbon-negative material. As the hemp plant grows, it sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere. When combined with lime, this carbon remains locked away in the building material for the lifespan of the structure.
The Benefits are Astounding:
- Healthy Buildings: hempcrete is fire, mold and pest resistant.
- Carbon Sequestration: The most compelling environmental benefit. Hempcrete buildings act as carbon sinks, helping to mitigate climate change.
- Thermal Performance: Its incredible insulation properties mean lower energy bills for heating and cooling, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. It naturally regulates temperature, keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Moisture Regulation: Hempcrete “breathes,” absorbing and releasing moisture to maintain optimal indoor humidity. This prevents mold growth and creates a healthier living environment.
- Durability and Longevity: Lime-based binders continue to harden over centuries, making hempcrete structures incredibly durable and fire-resistant.
- Non-Toxic: Free from harmful chemicals, providing excellent indoor air quality.
- Locally Sourced Potential: Hemp can be grown across the United States, reducing transportation costs and emissions, and supporting local economies.
Within the lush 216 acres of Haven Village, the focus isn’t just on building a house, but on fostering a holistic ecosystem where structures are integrated into the landscape. By embracing materials like hempcrete and teaching its application, the Trade School is directly addressing critical issues of environmental sustainability and community resilience. Their curriculum in “natural building” includes hands-on experience with these innovative, earth-friendly materials and people can join multi day or week workshops to get their hands in the hemp, they affectionately call “Hemping”.
The homes being envisioned and constructed at Haven Village are more than just shelters; they are statements. Statements about rejecting conventional, extractive building practices in favor of regenerative ones that give back to the Earth. Statement about honoring ancient ways of building while appreciating the advancements of modern technology.
A Nationwide Impact: Scaling Regenerative Building
The potential positive impact of scaling regenerative building with hempcrete and lime mortar across the United States is monumental:
- Climate Change Mitigation: If even a fraction of new construction shifted to hempcrete, the amount of carbon sequestered could be transformative. Every building becomes a mini-forest, storing CO2 for centuries.
- Economic Opportunity: The burgeoning industrial hemp industry could create thousands of jobs, from farming and processing hemp hurds to manufacturing lime binders and training skilled builders. This revitalizes rural economies and creates a domestic supply chain for sustainable materials.
- Healthier Communities: Reducing reliance on toxic, synthetic building materials leads to improved indoor air quality and overall public health. Imagine entire neighborhoods where homes actively contribute to well-being.
- Energy Independence: Buildings that require significantly less energy for heating and cooling reduce the strain on our energy grids and lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.
- Resilient Infrastructure: Durable, fire-resistant, and naturally insulating structures create more resilient communities, better equipped to withstand the challenges of a changing climate.
Haven Village and the Haven Earth Trade School are at the forefront of this revolution. They demonstrate that it’s not just possible but practical and profoundly beneficial to build homes that are good for people and good for the planet. As we look to the future, embracing materials like hempcrete isn’t just an option; it’s an imperative for a regenerative future.
Stay tuned for more from the #RegenerativeWorldQuest and the other US projects and communities we are learning from. Our YouTube channel has lots of short videos if you want to learn more!
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