This article relates to the early construction stages of our hemp test building, described in the previous post An experimental project is born.

The construction of this project is an exciting demonstration of new materials and new construction principles being applied to an actual project. However, beyond providing a physical demonstration, this studio also provides the opportunities for assessing the hygrothermal performance of these new materials and techniques as they perform over time …

Marcus McCabe of Hempire Building Materials has a new material and wants a building to show it off.  He also wants its characteristics measured to bring it to the market.  Our client wants a garden studio, sustainability is a key requirement, and she’s prepared to think ‘outside the box’.  We at Joseph Little Architects like to push the boundaries of what’s considered mainstream and certifiable.  We share Marcus’s focus on natural materials and managing vapour and moisture (i.e. breathability) in the building fabric.  While all our work is low energy and progressive we were delighted to work on this true ‘deep green’, low carbon project.  Our building fabric consultancy Building Life Consultancy is able to provide the skillset that can measure and simulate Marcus’s new material, and support our design ideas.  Several other material suppliers want to be involved: it’s a great team.

Thus an experimental, low carbon project arrives in the busy suburb of Cabra, Dublin.