I N T R O D U C T I O N
We are at a major turning point. In order to leave a sustainable and livable planet for upcoming generations, we have to change and make changes. More and more people/countries are addressing the crucial problems on our Earth, one of the largest being carbon emissions. Elon Musk’s call at the beginning of 2021 to identify and launch the most efficient methods to rebalance our CO2 cycle, rewarded with 100 million USD, was brought about by this recognition.

We hope there will be technological breakthroughs presenting solutions to extract carbon dioxide from the air and the oceans. The highest impact will certainly be achieved through global collaborations. This peak of making our planet more livable should be approached from all directions. There are many trodden paths already, some steeper and shorter than others. Everyone has to walk their chosen path, or break a new one…

Industrial hemp is a versatile plant with the ability to heal the Earth by eating CO2, replacing one-time-use plastics with quickly compostable natural alternatives, currently used in automotive, food, medical, industrial, construction, etc. industries. Hempcrete is an admixture of hemp shives, lime, and water. The word hempcrete comes from hemp concrete, however, it does not contain concrete. Instead, it is a natural construction material that forms its structure by binding CO2, reaching concrete-like firmness with excellent properties.

The second aspect of our initiative is the yurt, a tent-like heritage from our nomad ancestors, currently living its new renaissance. Hempcreteyurt innovates the ancient, according to the demands of the 21st century: excellent insulation, carbon-negative, and eco-positive. Circular structures facilitate a community atmosphere and promote collaboration. Architectural and structural engineering plans allow the same yurt form to be adapted to different kinds of uses from tiniest housing to large communal spaces for hundreds of people.

S O   L E T ‘ S   B U I L D   H E M P C R E T E Y U R T S !

Let us create places to strengthen the harmony of our existence. Hempcreteyurts can be family homes, workshops or communal spaces symbolizing circles to heal our Planet. If people like the idea and get involved, building 200.000 yurts of 11m diameter per year globally will eat a Megaton of CO2. And from there, global action will reach Gigaton levels.

O B J E C T I V E S
1. Build a visitable Hempcreteyurt in a natural setting, and share details so others can build their own.

2. Start Hempcreteyurt School to teach children and others interested to building their own Hempcreteyurts. This community will strive to continually develop building and finishing methods and openly share our knowledge. Objectives: as natural and environmentally friendly, as possible. This will be the “camping” from 20 years before…

3. Having nominated in the Elon Musk XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, will work with individuals and construction companies to build yurts anywhere in the world based on our collective experience – if you have less time and skills to have yours built. Building 200.000 Hempcreteyurts per year is nothing on a global scale but will save a Megaton of CO2, thus largely contributing to healing our Planet. And we can even go to Gigatons with together action! 

M O T I V A T I O N
​As an IT engineer, Istvan surprised everyone at his 10-year high school reunion with a sudden outburst: “In 20 years, I will be leading a camping resort.” Many years have passed since and this vision has become clear and focused when the idea of Hempcreteyurt was born in early 2020. After decades of bustling city life, building a home and living close to nature has become a unique commitment towards his seven-year-old son, to leave a healthier planet behind for their generation. Interestingly, he could not build alone. Years of zen practice made Istvan understand that he must create collaboration around this idea to fulfill the vision.

W H Y  T O G E T H E R ?
Having invested time and energy into Hempcreteyurt, I cannot build enough to save Megatons or Gigatons of CO2! So creating a community of like-minded people, who want to take action ourselves for the future of our children and the Planet seems a very logical next step. If you, me, we want to build and like this idea, we can decide to build a yurt. Even a Hempcreteyurt. So we build healthier and save a lot of CO2. 

Decided to seek philanthropic support. This means I am thankfully accepting direct donations. Why not a company and corporate path? Would not waste a minute with other activities than the objectives presented above. To me, this is exactly how the XPRIZE competition summary best translates into doing: “(…) it is time to take collective action NOW!” Any funding received above fulfilling goals will be transferred to charities.

N E X T ?
If many people like the idea and sign up building intentions, we can firstly create and present a geographical heatmap of hemp hurd needs. This can be extremely valuable information to farmers, who can plant industrial hemp with a better focus on local needs so that we can reduce transportation costs.

Another point is around producing hemp hurd. In many countries, there are already large-scale producers who have their production facilities, but small and medium farmers will benefit from mobile, on-site processing tools that can be shared across cooperating people.

Will start building ASAP to have a prototype. In the past years, I have been talking to many people from Europe about hemp building. I was delayed and had to let go to build our own, but realized it is more important to build the community and was an early joiner in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal challenge. I see two options now: funded to start building the form that I would create, or will join a sponsor and agree on what and how to build (talked to someone wanting inverted roof slope or another in the other corner of the country). I plan to document and share Hempcreteyurt building in free-form, as well as a subscription model for builders.

If funded, I will build next to my son’s school in the Pilis mountains near Budapest, Hungary. Own, live, and maintain that Hempcreteyurt until living there, then donate to that school community, to give back what earlier received. This location is also ideal to build simpler, smaller, shelter-like yurts with children (objectives 1 and 2 above).

Wholeheartedly thanking all contributions – Istvan