Apr 18 2008
American Lime Technology is pleased to announce its inaugural project, which represents the first use of the highly sustainable Hemcrete® building system in the United States. This "green" project will be comprised of a chapel and a pottery studio that are being commissioned by Caribe Properties in Montgomery, Texas. According to Gail Moran, president of Caribe Properties, "having originally been drawn to lime products for aesthetic reasons, I was thrilled to learn that these products also held 'green' properties. The discovery of Hemcrete was a great bonus because not only could I obtain the thick walls that are crucial in the design of these structures but I could also have a 'breathable building.'"
Although new to the American market, Hemcrete® has been used successfully in the United Kingdom and Europe for over ten years. This proprietary system, which relies on sustainably produced hemp fiber and lime binder, is being used to construct seamless walls and to insulate floors and roofs. The resulting buildings are thermally efficient, attractive, pest-resistant, fire-resistant, and durable, and these nontoxic, all-natural materials contain no harmful chemical. Unlike typical new construction materials, hemp and lime are breathable, which discourages harmful mold growth while providing better air quality for the building's occupants.
Construction on the two buildings is underway. The general contractor for the project is Don Mapston of Mapston Contracting, Conroe, Texas. The Hemcrete® contractor is Monaco Restorations, Inc. of Southbridge, Massachussetts. Construction site tours will be available to all interested parties. To arrange a tour, please contact Bruce Petersen at 773-414-5486.