Hempcrete walls, bio-based blocks and breathable lime finishes are fast becoming essential tools for low-carbon construction and retrofit in the UK. To explore what they can bring to your projects, Saint-Astier invites you to The Hemp Event, an evening seminar in central London on Tuesday 15 September 2026.
An evening dedicated to hemp and bio-based building
Saint-Astier has produced natural hydraulic lime (NHL) in the Dordogne since 1912, and our binders have long been a natural companion to hemp construction. Building on our strategic partnership with IsoHemp®, announced earlier this year, this event brings together architects, specifiers, contractors, conservation professionals and self-builders around one question: how can hemp and lime deliver sustainable renovation and construction today?
The centrepiece of the evening is a seminar by Bernard Salesses, head of Research and Development at Saint-Astier. He will cover hempcrete, hemp and bio-based blocks, lime-based interior and exterior finishing solutions, and their role in sustainable retrofit. A question and answer session with industry experts follows, before informal networking over drinks and canapés.
Practical information
- Date: Tuesday 15 September 2026, 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
- Venue: Alan Baxter Gallery, 75 Cowcross Street, Farringdon, London EC1M 6EL
- Admission: free of charge, but seats are limited
- Registration: closes on 10 September 2026
Programme of the evening
- 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm: welcome
- 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm: seminar by Bernard Salesses, Saint-Astier R&D
- 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm: Q&A with industry experts
- 8:00 pm to 8:45 pm: drinks and canapés
Why attend?
Whether you are planning a retrofit, specifying materials for a new build or simply curious about bio-based construction, the evening offers a practical, evidence-based understanding of how hemp and lime systems perform: thermal behaviour, moisture management, durability and application on site. It is also a valuable opportunity to meet peers and industry experts working with these materials across the UK.
A Training Seminar attendance certificate is available on request: a useful record of continuing professional development for architects, surveyors and contractors.
Places are limited and registrations close on 10 September, so we recommend booking early.
We look forward to welcoming you in Farringdon on 15 September.