Linford picks up award for its house made of hemp
LICHFIELD -based building contractor, Linford Group, has won a national award for a house made of hemp.
The company lifted the Innovation award at the Constructing Excellence National Awards – the industry ‘Oscars’ – for its ground-breaking Renewable House, which is located at the Building Research Establishment Innovation Park in Watford.
Developed in conjunction with the National Non-Food Crops Centre, The Renewable House could be a forerunner of the future shape of Britain’s housing stock may go in the future.
Rather than bricks and mortar, the house is constructed of Hemcrete, a sustainable building material derived from hemp, which has been developed by Lime Technologies, a partner in the build.
The Renewable House was created to demonstrate that mainstream affordable homes can be constructed from renewable materials – meeting both housing demands and environmental targets. It showcases the zero carbon, thermal insulation, sound insulation and “breathable” properties of hemp and lime construction.
Neil Walters, Linford’s group commercial director, said: “Innovation doesn’t need to cost the earth. The Renewable House is a highly sustainable building, but it will cost pretty much the same to build as a normal brick house.”
“We also believe that to gain widespread acceptance in a culture sceptical of green buildings that the house benefits from looking ‘normal’ and doesn’t need a host of ‘renewables’ normally associated with green buildings”.
