Architects Dorit Przyeorowski and Steffen Welsch, who designed the Thornbury house, said the much-maligned hemp plant was set to take off as a sustainable building material with its excellent insulation properties.
"Everyone smiles and laughs when they hear about hemp as a building material because they associate it with marijuana, but it's a slightly different crop and you can't smoke it," Mr Welsh said.
"We believe it has a big future as a material for housing on a small and medium scale."
Ms Przyeorowski said hemp had strong environmental credentials because it was fast growing and stored carbon dioxide.
She said it had low embodied energy and the potential to make walls carbon neutral.
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The hemp is mixed with lime and water and then poured into formwork, similar to the way in which rammed earth walls are made.
Owner Michelle McGeachen said she and her husband, two children and parents were looking forward to opening their Northcote home to the public and inspiring other people to consider using the new building material.
"It's a little bit more expensive, but you offset the expense with the reduced heating and cooling costs," she said.
"The house is lovely and warm in winter and will be cool in summer."
Ms McGeachen said the material was also strong, durable and weather proof.
The not-for-profit Alternative Technology Association has organised the Sustainable House Day opening.
The hemp house is open on Sunday, September 8, from 10am to 4pm, at 123 Jenkins St, Northcote.
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