Category « Project Planning & Design
What if your material choices could lower carbon emissions, slash fire risk, improve indoor air quality, and create affordable housing options—without sacrificing performance or code compliance?
Hemp and other bio-based building materials aren’t fringe anymore. They’re advancing into the heart of construction—and changing what it means to build responsibly. This course shows you how to align climate goals with real-world application, unlocking sustainable design that actually delivers.
Approved Type: HSW
Approved Credit Hrs: 1 LU|HSW
Program Level: Entry
Program Length: 44:09 Minutes
AIA CES Program ID# « GMGH.0026
Program Description:
From carbon-negative walls to toxin-free insulation, bio-based materials are redefining the future of construction—and hemp is leading the charge. This course, developed in partnership with the Hemp Building Institute, takes you inside the evolving landscape of natural building materials that do more than just meet sustainability standards. You’ll explore how industrial hemp and hempcrete are being used to create fire-resistant, energy-efficient, and breathable buildings that outperform traditional systems in both residential and commercial settings.
But innovation doesn’t come without barriers. That’s why this course doesn’t stop at performance—it also addresses the political, logistical, and regulatory forces that shape adoption, and equips you with the tools to navigate them. From permitting to public perception, you’ll leave with the clarity and confidence to specify bio-based systems in real projects. Whether you’re designing for affordability, resilience, or regenerative impact, this course helps you push beyond greenwashing and into true environmental leadership.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Benefits of Hemp in Construction - Participants will be able to articulate the environmental and economic benefits of hemp-based materials, particularly in decarbonizing the built environment and improving construction sustainability.
- Evaluate Hempcrete as an Insulation Solution - Attendees will assess the properties of hempcrete and other hemp-based materials, focusing on their potential for use in insulation and how they compare to traditional building materials.
- Navigate Regulatory and Market Barriers - Learners will be able to identify key regulatory challenges and market barriers that have historically hindered hemp’s adoption in the building industry, and understand the strategies to overcome these obstacles.
- Incorporate Hemp in Affordable Housing Projects - Participants will learn how to integrate hemp-based materials into affordable housing projects, making sustainable materials more accessible and improving the long-term environmental impact of residential buildings.
HSW Justification
This course qualifies for Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) credit based on its focus on sustainable construction materials and their direct impact on the well-being of building occupants. The course covers the use of hemp-based materials, particularly hempcrete, which contribute to health by improving indoor air quality and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals often found in conventional building materials. These materials also offer safety benefits by providing fire-resistant properties, reducing the risk of structural failures, and contributing to healthier, more resilient buildings. Furthermore, by promoting the use of renewable, locally sourced materials, the course aligns with welfare goals by supporting affordable housing projects and encouraging the use of sustainable, bio-based materials that help foster healthier, more equitable living environments for all communities. Through a deeper understanding of hemp’s potential in construction, architects can better serve the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants and society at large.
Who Should Take This Course
This course is designed for professionals who don’t just want to follow sustainability trends—they want to lead the charge. Perfect for:
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Architects and designers working toward net-zero, regenerative, or low-carbon standards and looking for actionable material alternatives
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Builders, contractors, and consultants ready to integrate fire-resistant, cost-effective insulation and wall systems into real-world workflows
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Housing authorities, developers, and nonprofit builders focused on sustainable, healthy materials for affordable housing initiatives
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Firms navigating ESG or LEED targets and seeking alternatives to conventional, carbon-heavy materials that no longer align with client values
If you’re done settling for “less bad” materials and ready to specify options that truly do good, this course is for you.
Why It Matters:
This is more than a sustainability credit. It’s a gateway into the next era of architecture—where buildings sequester carbon, protect occupants from toxins and fire, and support equitable, regenerative economies. Hemp isn’t the future. It’s here. The only question is whether your specs are keeping up.
Course Details:
Instructional Delivery Method(s):
- Podcast
Program Length:
- 44:09 Minutes
Approved Learning Units and Type:
- 1.0 LU|HSW
AIA CES Program Approval Expiration Date:
- Approved: 01/27/2025
- Expiration: 01/27/2028
Prerequisites:
- None
Program Level:
- Entry
Advance Learner Preparation:
- None
AIA CES Provider Statement:
Gābl Media is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10024977.
All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs.
Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES ([email protected] or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).
This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES.
Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit.
AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members.
Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon completion, as well as are available to be emailed to the learner upon request, regardless of continued Gābl Media subscription/membership status.
How to Get AIA Continuing Education Credits the Smart Way: Frictionless, On-the-Go With Zero Paperwork
Wondering how to get AIA CE credits quickly and reliably? With Gābl Media, earning continuing education credit is seamless, automatic, and podcast-based — so you can learn while you listen and skip the forms.
No paperwork. No follow-ups. Just listen, learn, and let us handle the rest.
Most CE platforms feel like punishment. You listen, you quiz, you pass — and then you’re stuck uploading files, filling out forms, and hoping your credits show up where they’re supposed to.
At Gābl Media, we eliminated the busywork. Our AIA-approved podcast courses are designed to fit your real life — and our automated tracking system does the rest.
Related Topics, Questions and Answers:
Need CE credits or guidance on LU|HSW tracking? Get the answers to the most searched continuing education questions for architects and design professionals — and learn how to earn CE credits fast, on the go, and with zero paperwork.
Most platforms make you jump through hoops to report your continuing education — but we’ve eliminated all that. With Gābl Media, your AIA credits are automatically tracked and submitted for you, so you can focus on learning, not paperwork. No extra forms, no manual uploads, and no guessing whether your credits went through. Learn exactly how Gābl Media’s AIA credit system simplifies the entire CEU process from start to finish — and why architects across the country are making the switch.
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Still have questions about how AIA credits work, what counts toward your license, or how CEUs are tracked and verified? We’ve put together a detailed breakdown that covers everything you need to know. For the most accurate, up-to-date insights on earning and reporting AIA continuing education credits, visit our complete guide to AIA credit requirements and course eligibility.
Gābl Media is an official AIA continuing education credits provider (CE).
Gābl Media is an official AIA For architects seeking official guidance on continuing education requirements, licensure standards, and professional resources, the American Institute of Architects’ official website offers a wealth of authoritative information. If you want to get the most accurate details straight from the horse’s mouth, there’s no better place to start than AIA itself.