The renovation and insulation of the third-story attic of an existing building in Portland, Maine using a monolithic hemp + lime insulation system.

 

Installed within the attic envelope, the hemp + lime composite created a continuous, vapor-open thermal layer that conforms to the irregular geometry of the existing structure while minimizing gaps and thermal bridging. By combining hemp shiv, a mineral lime binder, and water, the system forms a durable, breathable insulating mass that works in harmony with the building's original construction, improving thermal performance without trapping moisture.