Architecture Students Present Hemp Construction Research on an International Stage 

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Two University of Virginia School of Architecture students brought their research to a global audience at the 2026 ARCC–EAAE International Conference, held April 8–11 in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Dasani Madipalli (M.Arch ’26) and Ryan Macolino (BS Arch ’26) presented their paper, “Healthy Hemp Construction—Recreating Common Virginian Building Details with Hemp-Based Materials,” as part of the conference program. Hosted by Kennesaw State University, the conference was jointly organized by the Architectural Research Centers Consortium (ARCC) and the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE) and centered on the theme “Local Solutions for Global Issues.” 

The theme resonated strongly with Madipalli and Macolino’s work, which investigates how hemp-based building materials could serve as healthier, lower-carbon alternatives to conventional residential construction components in Virginia. Both students work as research assistants in the Open Structures Research Group (OSRG), led by Assistant Professor Mohamed Ismail. The OSRG is a multidisciplinary group of students and faculty that research the ways that thoughtful structural design, accessible design tools, and contextual fabrication methods can potentially enable global sustainable development. 
 

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Their “Healthy Hemp Construction” paper presents a comparative case study of three wall assemblies constructed using commercially available products. The first assembly represents a conventional vinyl siding wall system, while the second substitutes standard materials with direct hemp-based alternatives, such as hemp batt insulation and hemp-based lumber. The third explores a less conventional approach using hempcrete, a bio-composite material made from hemp hurds—the inner woody fibers of the hemp plant—combined with a binder. 

The assemblies were evaluated based on VOC emissions, embodied carbon, fabrication requirements, material sourcing, and cost. While the research found that hemp-based wall systems are currently more expensive and more challenging to source than traditional assemblies, the findings also revealed significant benefits: lower embodied carbon and reduced VOC emissions, which contribute to improved indoor air quality. 

By focusing on Virginia as a case study, the research highlights opportunities for scaling hemp construction across other mixed-climate regions in the United States. Virginia’s temperate climate, its established agricultural industry, and the legalization of industrial hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill position the commonwealth as a promising site for expanded hemp cultivation and manufacturing. 

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(l–r) A hempcrete block (photo: Dasani Madipalli) superimposed on a close-up view of a hempcrete wall (photo: Wikimedia Commons), and wall section constructed with hemp-based lumber and hemp batt insulation (photo: Ryan Macolino).

For Madipalli, presenting at an international conference was both challenging and affirming. 

“I was initially intimidated and wasn’t sure if I would have knowledge that more experienced academics would find interesting,” she said. “But the other attendees were supportive, and I realized I had insights to contribute that others were not aware of. It inspires me to not shy away from sharing what I’m learning with others.” 

She also emphasized the importance of highlighting the efforts of manufacturers developing hemp-based products for the built environment—work she sees as essential to the broader adoption of healthier construction practices. 

Macolino echoed the importance of situating sustainability research within a local context. 

“Being a part of research on hemp construction here in Virginia helps to scale a global issue into a more local issue,” he said. “When we present this research at the ARCC–EAAE International Conference, it turns our findings and data into a thoughtful and digestible discussion with other researchers who have their own perspectives.” 

The experience, he added, underscored the collaborative nature of research and the value of contributing to an international dialogue on sustainable design.