Webinar: Building the Future with Hemp: Joost Bakker’s Vision for Regenerative Living
When people talk about zero-waste living in Australia, the name Joost Bakker inevitably rises to the surface. Famously described by The New York Times as “the poster boy of zero-waste living,” Bakker has long challenged the way we consume, build and inhabit our spaces. An Australian designer, floral artist and eco-warrior, he first captured global attention by creating the world’s first zero-waste restaurant. Now, his focus has shifted firmly to where he believes real transformation begins: our homes.
‘If we really want to change the world, it’s in our homes,’ Bakker says.
It’s a philosophy that underpins his latest work, reimagining houses not as waste-generating boxes, but as living systems that produce food, capture carbon and restore the soil. For Bakker, buildings are not separate from nature; they are an extension of it.
At iHemp NSW’s upcoming webinar on Thursday 23 April, Bakker will share how and why hemp has become central to his projects. From his own home, to his mother’s house, to the innovative build at Woodleigh School in Victoria, hemp is proving to be a powerful material in the transition to low-carbon construction. He will also discuss the integration of hemp in actor Zac Efron’s new sustainable build in the Tweed, NSW, a project bringing mainstream attention to regenerative design.
Hemp’s natural insulation properties, breathability and carbon-sequestering capacity align perfectly with Bakker’s broader vision: cities and suburbs transformed into productive, resilient urban farms. It’s not just about reducing waste, it’s about designing systems where waste simply does not exist.
Attendees will also receive an update on Plantbord, Bakker’s innovative product designed to grow food vertically and integrate edible landscapes into everyday architecture.
For those passionate about sustainable building, regenerative materials and the power of individual action, this webinar offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of Australia’s most influential sustainability advocates. Joost Bakker is not just rethinking how we live, he is showing us how to build a future where our homes actively help heal the planet.
