The 'HempClay Farm' is a building that derives from an existing, but slightly adjusted, building technique. The design focusses on the proces of making Hemp-Clay blocks and to be actually surrounded by the raw materials. In the exposition mock-ups show different approaches and experiments with the material. At the other end of the building, the amfitheater gives an opportunity to teach about new building techniques or give open seminars.
The 'HempClay Farm' is a building that derives from an existing, but slightly adjusted, building technique. The design focusses on the proces of making Hemp-Clay blocks and to be actually surrounded by the raw materials. In the exposition mock-ups show different approaches and experiments with the material. At the other end of the building, the amfitheater gives an opportunity to teach about new building techniques or give open seminars.
Within the fields of the surrounding agricultural land with hempplants, there is a silo used as storage of the hempshives. The roof is angled in a way that there are multiple chances to see the top of the silo everywhere in the building where the bottom is also visible. This gives the opportunity to see the whole proces of making a project with the Hemp-Clay blocks in one view. The steel roof is made from steel around the site at Marconia – Rotterdam, coming from different production halls which are going to be demolished for residential development.
The fragmentation in the facade is made with Hemp-Clay walls, which frames the steps that are used to make the Hemp-Clay blocks. The production hall can be opened completely in the summer to shorten the drytime of the blocks.
Hempclay is a CO2-negative material that mixes hempshives with clay. The clay used for this particular building is seaclay, which has a bit more natural waterresistance and is very adhesive. Hempshives are very strong fibres, which are great for bonding and isolation. Combining these materials with water it can be made in a pressed block, either by hand or machine.
The site is poluted with heavy metals. However, hemp has the property to quickly restore the ground without any pesticides. It is a very strong plant that grows fast and can be used in circular agriculture. The plants on this site are European approved breeds, which carry lower ammounst of psycho-active ingredients.
The building is an exposition of the material, embedded and surrounded by its own ingredients. By showing the easy proces, this could result in a bigger popularity and attention for alternative building materials. It’s a statement against the baked principles and tries to invigorate the development of these alternatives.
