Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 June 2025
This two-day course runs from 9.00am to 5.30pm in Stanmer Park, Brighton.
The course provides an introduction to the theory and practice of building with hemp lime, also known as hempcrete, including how to use it in the repair and upgrading of old buildings.
Who is the Building with hemp lime course for?
This course is open to anyone aged 16 or over. It is suitable for anyone interested in learning about hempcrete construction, whether they are planning their own project as a self-builder, architect or contractor, or just wanting to gain practical experience of the different ways of using this material. No prior knowledge is assumed, so the course is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with some building experience.
Watch Alex’s talk on building with hempcrete at Green Architecture Day
Learning methods and outcomes
The course is spread over two days with a mixture of practical and theory sessions, reflecting the fact that, to use hempcrete successfully, builders need to have a proper understanding of the materials as well as good practical skills. There will be time for questions at the end of the day, but they are always welcome as we go along. All equipment is provided for practical sessions.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will:
- have learnt a little about the hempcrete building industry in the UK today
- have a basic understanding of the key theoretical and practical issues to consider when building with hempcrete, in both new-build and restoration.
- know the issues involved when choosing a hempcrete binder
- have a good understanding of the basic method of hempcrete building, including the important dos and don’ts
- have gained practical experience of:
- building a section of new build hempcrete wall
- applying finishes to hempcrete
- insulating with hempcrete in a historic/traditional building context
Course tutor(s)
The course will be led by Alex Sparrow, co-director of UK Hempcrete, a UK company specialising in the use of hempcrete alongside other natural building materials. Alex has been building with hempcrete since 2008 and provides consultancy and training to other builders, home owners and architects, as well as regularly speaking about the material at public events and writing on the subject. Alex is a co-author of the definitive guide to using this innovative, better-than-zero-carbon building material, The Hempcrete Book: Designing and building with hemp-lime (October 2014).
Venue/Accommodation
Earthship Brighton
Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex)
Brighton
Sussex
South East England
Get directions to Stanmer Park.
If you intend to book accommodation, please check availability before booking a place, as accommodation in Brighton can be hard to find, especially over the summer months.
Get details on local accommodation and Brighton Permaculture Trust supporters who can provide accommodation in their homes.
Recommended reading
No prior reading is required, but Hemp-Lime Construct has put together this list of resources online:
Fees
Fees include tuition, handouts and refreshments.
- £365 – Sponsored/organisation rate
- £365 – Individual income more than 25k/yr
- £300 – Individual income 18-25k/yr
- £235 – Individual income less than 18k/yr
- £170 – Individual, concessionary rate (check eligibility)*
* Concessionary places are limited. If places are not available check back two weeks before the course/event as more may be available then.
We endeavour to make our courses and events affordable to all. Unfortunately, we do not receive any external funding for most of these and rely on large amounts of voluntary input.
See the cancellations and refunds policy.
Booking the Building with hemp lime course
Booking is essential. Most of our courses/events are fully booked weeks in advance. You can book up until midday the day before the course if places are still available. Your place is not secured until we have received the requested payment.
If you have completed the booking process but you haven’t received a confirmation email from us please contact us to check your booking has gone through.
If you are booking within two weeks of the event, or the event is nearly full, you will not have the option to pay by BACS. Instead, you will need to pay immediately using a credit/debit card or PayPal.
Book for 7-8 June 2025 course
*If the course is fully booked please contact us via the MAKE AN ENQUIRY button at the bottom of this page.
