Integrating Hemp in a Replicable Model for Affordable, Low Carbon Housing: A Zero Carbon Microhome Prototype for the Kansas Flint Hills

Michael Gibson^*

• Kansas State University, Manhattan, United States

Homes in the U.S. account for a significant share of energy and emissions, while a shortage of affordable homes demands new approaches to the design and construction of homes are considered. The Zero Carbon Microhome was designed by architecture students in the Net Positive Studio at Kansas State University to demonstrate how hempcrete and hemp fiber could be integrated into a prototype for affordable infill housing that would be net zero energy while also attaining net zero carbon over the life of the home. Hemp's use in the project is part of an overall strategy to reduce initial embodied emissions, which are evaluated in the article in a carbon assessment using emissions representing the hempcrete and hemp fiber used in the project. An energy analysis for the project is also presented, which also incorporated thermal properties of the project's hemp fiber and hempcrete. The hempcrete mixture used for the house is also detailed, with a discussion of contributing factors to the hempcrete's performance. Overall, a replicable approach to using hemp and hempcrete in affordable, net zero energy, and net zero carbon homes is presented.