Between two plywood boards, a hemp net was suspended and multiple layers of Hempstone were sprayed onto its surface.

The net structure was chosen because it doesn’t have any sharp corners that could make the material crack while shrinking. It allows the material to cover the ropes all around so the material stays on the surface and shrinks more evenly.

The flexible net structure gives room for deformation showing the immense forces of the material while shrinking, allowing deformation and resulting in a dynamic appearance.

Hemp

Hemp is a versatile ingredient for biomaterials and a fast-growing plant that is considered a CO2 sink due to its CO2 binding properties.

It contains one of the strongest natural fibres and can be used for manufacturing textile, cellulose plastics, paper, composites, cosmetics, food, medication, and more.

Composite material

Hempstone is a biocomposite material that doesn’t require any binders and consists of water and hemp fibres.

The secret behind this material is the way it is processed: By grinding the hemp to a fine degree the surface area of the fibers are increased and when water is added intermolecular hydrogen bonds are formed between them.

This is the same reason why paper fibres stick together but the main difference is the strength of the bonds between the fibres.

The hemp is mixed with water in a 1 to 10 ratio and sprayed in multiple layers and dyed with mineral pigments.

When the mixture starts to dry, the material shrinks significantly, up-to one-seventh of its original volume, resulting in a considerably dense material that is water soluble and can be coated and painted.

The strength and hardness of the final composite is comparable to hard maple or ebony.

Ingredients of the composite: 

- Water 
- Hemp fibers (sourced from processed hemp paper and further refined) 
- PH stabilizer
- Mineral pigments 

It doesn't contain any binders, epoxy or glue.

Only Good News by Isola, DDW 2021
Location: Pennings Foundation, Eindhoven, NL
Photo by: Anwyn Howarth