Interest in building with hemp is steadily increasing across Australia, particularly as more people seek practical, low-impact alternatives to conventional construction. To support this growing demand, iHemp NSW is hosting an upcoming Hemp Building Expert Panel Webinar, bringing together experienced practitioners, homeowners, and industry leaders to share real-world insights.
Date: Thursday, 21 May
Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm (Panel)
Q&A: 7:00 – 7:30pm
This session is designed to provide a grounded, experience-based perspective on hemp building. What’s working, where challenges remain, and what’s needed to scale adoption.
Hemp Building Expert Panel iHemp NSW Webinar
Why this webinar matters
The construction sector remains a major contributor to global emissions, placing it at the centre of the climate challenge. Hemp-based materials, including hempcrete, offer a viable pathway toward reducing embodied carbon while improving building performance.
However, like any emerging industry, hemp construction faces constraints, particularly around supply chains, cost perceptions, and regulatory clarity. Progress depends on increased uptake, supported by education, advocacy, and visible, successful examples.
This webinar contributes directly to that effort by sharing practical knowledge from those actively working and living within the space.
What to expect
The panel brings together a mix of lived experience and professional expertise, offering a balanced view across design, construction, and occupancy.
Narara Ecovillage Residents (Megan & Donna)
Two homeowners will share firsthand insights from living in hemp-based homes. Their projects incorporate a mix of natural materials including hempcrete, rammed earth, mud brick, and straw, alongside passive solar design, recycled materials, and integrated systems such as rainwater harvesting and off-grid energy.
Their experiences highlight long-term performance, thermal comfort, reduced reliance on mechanical heating and cooling, and the practical realities of building within a community-led context.
Harrison Marsh – Otetto
As co-founder of Otetto and a member of the iHemp NSW executive committee, Harrison brings a construction-led perspective. His work with prefabricated hempcrete systems (Living Canvas SIPs) reflects a broader push toward scalability and efficiency in the sector. His experience bridges traditional building practices with emerging hemp-based solutions.
Kirstie Wulf – Shelter Building Design / Hemp Building Directory
Kirstie offers a design-focused lens, with deep experience in hempcrete, Passive House principles, and resilient building design. Her work demonstrates how natural materials can meet high-performance standards while responding to site constraints, climate, and bushfire considerations.
Jeremy Thomas – iHemp NSW / Hemp Building Directory
Jeremy will host and facilitate the discussion, drawing connections across education, advocacy, and industry development. His work focuses on improving access to information and strengthening the ecosystem supporting hemp in the built environment.
Building momentum through shared knowledge
One of the consistent barriers to hemp adoption is not a lack of interest, but a lack of accessible, credible information. Events like this play a key role in closing that gap, making it easier for builders, designers, and homeowners to understand what’s involved and what’s possible.
By combining technical insight with lived experience, the webinar aims to move the conversation beyond theory and into application.
Register
Registration details are available via the iHemp NSW events page. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the panel during the extended Q&A session.
This webinar is part of a broader effort to strengthen the hemp building sector through collaboration, visibility, and practical education, supporting a transition toward more resilient, low-impact construction across Australia.
Disclaimer
HBD do not warrant the quality or experience of anyone listed on this directory.
We have relied on the information provided by the business and its representatives.
This site is not intended to provide and does not constitute building advice, or other professional advice.
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