Description:

The Why
haerd is a closed-loop product, made from hemp to benefit people during its life and designed to return to the earth as compost at its end.

Hemp is an underutilised crop that regenerates the land it grows in. It sequesters more carbon than many other plants, capturing up to 1.6 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of fibre produced. Its deep root system improves soil structure, reduces erosion, and absorbs heavy metals from the soil, creating more fertile land.

haerd converts this fast-yielding crop into a high-value product, pioneering a new market for New Zealand hemp. It highlights hemp’s potential to help diversify and strengthen New Zealand’s agricultural and commercial sectors.

In collaboration with New Zealand suppliers - Hemp Central for locally grown and processed hemp, and Geobind, a NZ-made magnesium-based binder - haerd’s design strategy focuses solely on connecting people back to nature in response to the increasing demand for design that meets social and environmental needs.

The Idea
The project reimagines acoustic panelling for the interiors of New Zealand’s business industry.

haerd was ideated with people and the planet front of mind. A modular panel system that is simple to install, flexible to arrange, and developed with cradle-to-cradle design thinking.

At its core, hempcrete - a natural composite of hemp hurd and mineral binder - achieves a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.6, which exceeds traditional acoustic materials that typically average an NRC of 0.45. The concept was refined through material exploration, testing binder ratios and fibre compaction to optimise acoustic performance and strength.

The design strategy integrates biophilic design principles, connecting people back to nature through form and organic materials. Biophilic design in spaces has been shown to boost wellbeing by 15%, improve productivity by up to 20%, and increase creativity by 15%, making it a successful approach for focus spaces.

The Design
haerd reflects a commitment to function and sustainability.

The product lifecycle begins at regeneration, with hemp grown locally and then processed to create modular acoustic panels. During their use, they improve acoustics and wellbeing; at end-of-life, the components can be separated, PET and aluminium are recycled, and hempcrete is composted, returning nutrients to the soil and closing the loop with zero waste.

Each panel features a hidden mounting system made from 100% recycled PET, cast directly into the back of the panel. This system is designed to slide securely onto a recyclable aluminium rail, allowing for easy installation, removal, and flexible arrangements. Acoustic performance was validated through physical sound testing, ensuring the panels absorb and diffuse noise effectively.

Beyond acoustic performance, haerd naturally regulates moisture, is pest- and dust-resistant, fire-retardant, and free from VOCs—making it a safe and healthy choice for indoor spaces.

Inspired by native kowhai pods, soft biophilic forms disrupt sound waves and foster a visual rhythm. The raw hempcrete texture enhances the atmosphere of any space while embodying the values of regenerative, purpose-driven design.