In a landmark moment for sustainable architecture, the world’s tallest building made with industrial hemp is set to open its doors in South Africa. The Hemp Hotel, located in the heart of Cape Town, boasts 12 storeys and offers a breathtaking view of the city’s iconic Table Mountain.
The Hemp Hotel features 54 rooms, each designed with sustainability in mind. The hotel’s amenities include a rooftop bar and restaurant, a spa, and a conference centre and is set to be opened in June.
The hotel’s interior design features natural materials such as wood and stone, as well as locally sourced artwork.
The Hemp Hotel is a pioneering project that aims to showcase the potential of industrial hemp as a building material. The hotel’s construction relied heavily on hempcrete, a lightweight and eco-friendly alternative to traditional concrete.
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Hemp Crete is made from hemp hurds, a waste product of hemp fibre production, mixed with a lime-based binder and water. According to Wihan Bekker, the carbon consultant at Afrimat Hemp, building with hemp is 20% more expensive than using conventional materials.
Afrimat Hemp states that constructing a 40-square-meter house with hemp results in a carbon footprint that is three tons of CO2 lower than that of a traditional building.
“We see this as a bit of a lighthouse project,” Muller says of the Hemp Hotel.
“It shows hemp has its place in the construction sector.”
Steve Allin, director of the International Hemp Building Association based in Ireland, has recognized the Hemp Hotel as the “world’s tallest building to utilize hemp-based materials”.
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The use of industrial hemp in construction has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its low carbon footprint and excellent insulation properties. Hempcrete is also known for its breathability, which helps regulate humidity and prevent mould growth.
Additionally, hemp is a renewable resource that can be grown without the need for pesticides or herbicides, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
The hotel is already generating significant interest from both local and international visitors. The project is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in creating sustainable solutions for the future.
