Bondi Junction

October 2021

In the studio with Resort RTW 2022 collection In the studio with Resort RTW 2022 collection

ZIMMERMANN's Bondi Junction store, which reopened this month, was primarily built from blocks made from the hemp crop mixed with lime. This material, known as hempcrete, is considered a carbon negative material as it removes more carbon than it emits into the atmosphere during its entire life cycle.

Several Life Cycle Impact Assessments on hempcrete have shown the ability of this material to absorb carbon which is primarily subtracted from the atmosphere through photosynthesis during plant growth. Hemp crops, due to their resilient and fast-growing qualities, do not need pesticides or herbicides, need little water to grow compared to other crops and require a relatively small amount of land to cultivate.

In addition, hempcrete absorbs carbon by carbonation during the use phase of the blocks. Carbonation is the process where the lime-based binder absorbs carbon from the air continuously over time.

The carbon thus captured is stored into the hempcrete throughout its lifetime.

At end of life, hempcrete offers opportunities for recycling or re-use, extending its useful life.

The interiors of the store were decorated with a natural, water based paint and the spaces feature a variety of vintage furniture and pieces including the vintage teak door, salvaged from the demolition of The Cumberbatch Building, Trinity College, Oxford.