The Weed Wall explores the potential of hemp as a fully biobased façade system, responding to the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and improve circularity in the construction industry. Developed as a Bucky Lab project at TU Delft, the research focuses on material innovation, architectural performance, and expressive design. Lignitec a start up from Delft helped the students to develop the facade panels.
Hemp was selected for its rapid renewability, carbon absorption capacity, and strong insulation performance. Through material research and collaboration with industry partners, the student team developed a hexagonal façade panel system combined with a biobased substructure. The prototype demonstrates how biocomposites can move beyond conventional cladding solutions, both technically and visually.
The hexagonal geometry allows for high design flexibility and modular assembly. While the prototype successfully proves the concept, further development is needed to address real-world requirements such as durability, scalability, and performance consistency across larger façade applications.
Future research will focus on water and fire resistance, weight optimization, panel modularity, and end-of-life recycling strategies. These steps are essential to transition the Weed Wall from an academic prototype to a market-ready façade system.
Students:
Roan van Kammen · Loïc Chabus · Marten van Herk · Ewa Blicharz · Ella Adam
Supervisors:
Dr.-Ing. Marcel Bilow · Ir. Nadia Remmerswaal · Ir. Hugo Nagtzaam
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