How it works.
Everything your design team needs to understand the Renewabuild wall system — how the components work, how they connect, and how to take a project from first drawings to a finished construction.
How It Works
A COMPLETE WALL SYSTEM DELIVERED READY TO BUILD.
The Renewabuild Wall System is constructed using modular blocks combined with a patented tensioning rod system, providing structural integrity and enhanced seismic resilience—revolutionizing how modern structures are built.
Starter strips ensure precise base alignment, while top-of-wall strips lock the system into a continuous structural assembly. A proprietary mineral-based mortar reduces thermal bridging while delivering strong bonding performance, eliminating the need for chemical adhesives.
Interior and exterior surfaces can be finished with breathable plasters, stuccos, or natural coatings, eliminating the need for traditional insulation or drywall due to the system’s thermal, acoustic, and moisture-regulating properties.
The result is a durable, breathable, and energy-efficient wall system that simplifies construction while exceeding modern performance standards.
The System Components
THREE COMPONENTS.
ONE COMPLETE WALL.
We provide a complete structural wall system, including blocks, starter strips, post-tensioning rods, and top-of-wall components. As a project-specific engineered system, we collaborate directly with design teams from early drawings through to delivery and execution support.
01
STRUCTURAL HEMPCRETE BLOCKS
One standard block size — 21.27″ × 10.60″ × 7.94″ nominal. Blocks can be cut lengthwise as required for detailing and installation flexibility. Each unit integrates a polymer composite structural frame with a cured hemp-lime infill, delivering structural capacity, R40+ thermal performance, fire resistance, and carbon sequestration within a single engineered component.
Designs should accommodate full and half blocks for wall lengths and openings to minimize material waste. Custom cuts are available where required to support detailing and site-specific conditions.
02
STARTER STRIPS & TOP-OF-WALL PLATES
Cold-pressed steel starter plates provide precise base alignment for the first course of blocks. Top-of-wall plates secure the assembly into a continuous structural system, establishing connection points for roof framing, floor joists, or rafter strapping in accordance with structural design requirements.
A proprietary mineral-based mortar is used between courses to reduce thermal bridging and eliminate the need for chemical adhesives, supporting improved thermal performance and long-term durability of the assembly.
03
POST-TENSIONING ROD SYSTEM
Post-tensioning rods are routed vertically through the block system at eight-foot intervals, connecting the top-of-wall plate directly to the foundation. This continuous tensioning system integrates the full wall assembly under load, providing resistance to compression, bending, and lateral forces, including seismic and high-wind conditions (up to 295 mph design reference where applicable).
The result is a fully post-tensioned structural system that acts as a single unified assembly from foundation to top plate.
FINISH
Interior and exterior surfaces may be finished with breathable plasters, stuccos, or natural coatings. No additional insulation or interior drywall is required. The wall system provides integrated thermal performance, acoustic attenuation, and moisture regulation, reducing the number of required trades and simplifying overall construction sequencing.
THE DETAIL THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
BUILT INTO EVERY LAYER.
ALIGNMENT
STARTER & TOP-OF-WALL STRIPS
Starter strips at the base ensure each course begins on a perfectly level datum. Top-of-wall strips secure and lock the assembly into a continuous structural system, establishing a unified load path from foundation to roof structure.
BONDING
MINERAL-BASED MORTAR
A proprietary mineral-based mortar is applied between each course. It reduces thermal bridging, provides high-strength bonding, and eliminates the need for chemical adhesives, supporting improved thermal performance and system integrity.
FINISHING
BREATHABLE PLASTERS & COATINGS
Interior and exterior surfaces may be finished with breathable plasters, stuccos, or natural coatings. No additional insulation or interior drywall is required. The wall system provides integrated thermal performance, acoustic attenuation, and moisture regulation.
SYSTEM DIAGRAMS
ENGINEERED TO CONNECT.
The system is designed to perform at corners, multi-story floor connections, and long-span walls — with a floor joist hanging system that allows continuous hempcrete block exteriors across multi-story construction.
CORNER ASSEMBLY
Blocks interlock at corner conditions, with a polymer composite frame ensuring continuous structural load transfer across all wall system junctions.
FLOOR JOIST CONNECTION
An integrated floor joist hanging system supports multi-story construction while preserving a continuous hempcrete exterior wall, eliminating thermal bridges and structural interruptions.
The Process
FROM YOUR DRAWINGS
TO YOUR
FINISHED Build.
The Renewabuild wall system is structural and project-specific. The process below outlines engagement from initial inquiry through design coordination, manufacturing, and installation.
01
SHARE BLOCK DIMENSIONS WITH YOUR ARCHITECT
Renewabuild offers one standard block size. Block dimensions should be provided to the project architect as the basis for wall layout and design coordination. The Renewabuild system is intended for above-grade applications only.
02
IDENTIFY WALLS & CONVERT TO BLOCK DRAWING
Identify which walls will utilize the Renewabuild system. The project architect should convert drawings to align with the standard block module, designing with full and half blocks to minimize material waste. Custom cuts are available where required for detailing and non-standard conditions.
03
CALCULATE WALL AREA & ADD 5% ALLOWANCE
Calculate the total square footage of Renewabuild wall area based on the architectural block drawings. Apply a 5% allowance to the total wall area to account for cutting, detailing, and material waste.
04
SUBMIT DRAWINGS — WE TAKE IT FROM HERE
Once drawings are prepared, our team reviews the documentation, confirms quantities, and coordinates next steps. This includes engineering review, post-tensioning layout confirmation, and installation training. We provide support to the project team from initial block installation through to completed wall assembly.