California Straw Building Association (CASBA) News & Announcements

Pre-order a T-shirt for the conference!

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:14:59 GMT

We're offering 2 opportunities to order gear.

The first round is open and orders will be collected through 3/29. These orders will be distributed at the conference.

The second window will begin on 3/30 and run through 4/30. These orders will be shipped directly to individuals and we expect that to begin the week of 5/18.

Order here

West Coast Natural Building Conference 2026 - Registration ends March 22nd!!

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:48:47 GMT

https://www.strawbuilding.org/event-6495713

Save the Date - 2026 West Coast Natural Building Conference + CASBA's 30th Anniversary!

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:19:24 GMT

Please save the weekend of April 10-12 2026, to join us in San Luis Obispo to celebrate CASBA's 30th anniversary at our annual West Coast Natural Building Conference! More info available soon.

Clay Plaster Finish Coat Workshop!

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:46:36 GMT

Ray & Roman's Clay Plaster Finish Coat Workshop!

North Fork, CA

November 22-23, 2025

https://www.strawbuilding.org/event-6406982

Clay Plaster Brown Coat Workshop, Oct.3-5, North Fork, CA

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 05:46:58 GMT

https://www.strawbuilding.org/event-6274588

West Coast Natural Building Conference 2025 - Registration is OPEN!

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 16:31:39 GMT

We hope you will join us at Walker Creek Ranch in Marin County April 4-6!

View details & registration here: https://www.strawbuilding.org/event-5994460

Join us in Pescadero for our first straw production field day

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 20:00:00 GMT

... with one of our favorite AG partners, Pie Ranch! You can find the address at https://www.pieranch.org/calendar

Support Team CASBA in the August17 Wine Country Climate Ride fundraiser!

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 06:00:00 GMT

Team CASBA rides again! CASBA's former director, David Arkin, has captained "Team CASBA" in Climate Rides around the state for many years, raising funds to support CASBA's important work. This year the money raised will go towards efforts in developing Product Category Rules (PCRs) and ultimately an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for straw, hemp and similar resources. These tools are critical to bringing straw building to more and bigger buildings.

https://support.climateride.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=6470

CASBA and StrawBales In Mother Earth News this month!

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 00:51:13 GMT

Check out the latest Mother Earth News for the article by Meg Wade "Straw Bale Steps Up to Fill A Need" discussing the Oceanspray Townhomes project in Ashland, Oregon. This innovative multifamily straw bale townhouse was designed by Arkin Tilt Architects and most of the bales were installed during a CASBA Work Party. Also available in the print edition. https://www.motherearthnews.com/Environmental-Current-Events

West Coast Natural Building Conference - All online registration ends April 14th!

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 08:13:43 GMT

After that you will need to contact us for availability.

Event details & registration available here.

Straw Bale Work Party - Ashland, Oregon, April 12-13, 2024

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 07:12:50 GMT

https://www.strawbuilding.org/event-5535348

West Coast Natural Building Conference 2024 - Registration is open!

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 01:50:21 GMT

For details and registration, please visit https://www.strawbuilding.org/event-5600932

Member Early Bird Pricing ends March 17th!

Save the Date - West Coast Natural Building Conference 2024!

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 03:26:24 GMT

We have reserved the dates of April 26-28, 2024 for the next West Coast Natural Building Conference. We will gather once again at the lovely Camp Ocean Pines on the coast at Cambria in San Luis Obispo County.

Mark this on your calendar and plan to join us!

Building Beyond Zero event with member Bruce King

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 23:57:39 GMT

The Redwood Empire Chapters of CSI and USGBC will be hosting this FREE event where we will join author Bruce King in discussing his book Build Beyond Zero. Written along with Chris Magwood, the authors show how buildings are culprits but stand poised to act as climate healers. They offer an exciting vision of climate-friendly architecture, along with practical advice for professionals working to address the carbon footprint of our built environment. Click here for more details on this November 7th event in Santa Rosa, CA !

Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard promotes straw bale construction

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 07:06:04 GMT

CASBA director Massey Burke and member Bruce King both appear in a video devoted to building with straw, recently released by Patagonia. The credits also thank CASBA and members David Arkin, Jim Reiland, and Anthony Dente. Participating in the making of the video was an unexpected honor, and a delight. Thank you to Yvon Chouinard & architect Dylan Johnson for championing straw building, and giving us the opportunity to help!

Video: https://www.patagonia.com/stories/home-grown/video-141549.html

Dwell article: https://www.dwell.com/article/yvon-chouinard-dylan-johnson-straw-bale-house-interview-9fb6f5c2

Straw Bale Workshop Oct 7/8 in Ione, CA

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 10:34:56 GMT

Straw bale workshop Oct 7/8 in Ione, CA.

East Coast friends! Plaster workshop in New York Oct 11-15

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 10:31:09 GMT

A plaster workshop in Clermont, NY, October 11-15 at a beautiful Buddhist Retreat center working on a new Ecococoon straw bale building. More information on instagram @cobbetty

A Straw Bale Workshop May 20-21, 2023 Santa Rosa, CA

Sat, 20 May 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Learn how to build with straw bales! This is a two day workshop which will focus on how to use bales as insulation in a new and stunningly unique custom home in Santa Rosa, California. Learn how straw bales increase the insulation value and beauty of the buildings. Participants will participate in bale stacking, notching, bale resizing, and pinning in place. This new custom home is being built by Crafted Earth a design, engineering, and construction firm in the North Bay. Kita Glass, a natural builder in Santa Cruz, will be instructing the class. Camping on site is available for all participants Friday and Saturday nights. Meals provided. https://www.strawbuilding.org/event-5266874

Save the Date! West Coast Natural Building Conference 2023

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 06:12:19 GMT

CASBA's West Coast Natural Building Conference will take place at the beautiful rammed earth Shady Creek Event Center in Nevada County this year, on March 31st - April 2nd. We hope to see you there!

Light Straw Clay Work Party! Menlo Park, July 15-17

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 21:36:32 GMT

More information and online registration: Workparty: Intro to Light Straw Clay

Volunteer Opportunity for skilled plasterers @ Youth Spirit Artwork This Weekend

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Skilled plasterers needed this Saturday April 30th 9am-4pm (will probably finish earlier!)

633 Hegenberger Road, Oakland CA

Come help Bob Theis apply an acoustic plaster mix (perlite, vermiculite and clay) that will get a surface texturing to the small interior ceiling (less than 200 sq feet of surface) of the feral straw bale art gallery in the Youth Spirit Artwork's Tiny House Empowerment Village. Lunch is provided! Plenty of parking! No registration required. Contact Bob Theis for more info. +1 (510) 235-0616 bob@bobtheis.net Or Allison Arnold 301-357-0582 allisonannearnold@gmail.com

Steen workshop: Weather-Resistant Exterior Plasters with Clay & Lime, Phoenix

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 05:44:45 GMT

Weather-Resistant Exterior Plasters with Clay and Lime workshop in Phoenix, AZ

This 3-day course replaces a previously arranged straw bale building workshop scheduled for this same time that has been moved to a future date in November.

Taught by Athena and Bill Steen, this workshop will focus on stabilizing clay plasters for use as an exterior finish. We will explore a variety of ingredients that can be added or applied to help clay resist water. Lime plaster will also be covered to a lesser extent. The course will cover theory and mixes with plenty of hands-on opportunities for all participants.

Existing exterior strawbale walls plastered with a clay base-coat will be finish plastered during the course. Different methods and techniques will be used on various walls around the two existing buildings.

This workshop will be held Friday March 4- Sunday, March 6, 2022. The cost for the plaster workshop is $375 which includes meals, materials, and instruction by the amazing Steens.

To register, contact Susan Ontiveros at 602 561-9621 or email her: susanontiveros424@gmail.com

West Coast Natural Building Conference 2022 - Save the Date!

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 06:34:45 GMT

CASBA's West Coast Natural Building Conference returns to Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma, April 22-24, 2022. Please mark your calendars and make plans to join us. We have high hopes that it will be safe to gather in person next Spring!

FREE CODE DOWNLOADS: IRC Appendix S & Appendix R with Commentaries

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 22:42:11 GMT

CASBA is happy to announce that we've arranged another round of free downloads of Appendix S - Strawbale Construction AND we've added Appendix R - Light Straw-Clay Construction! Visit the download page

These free downloads are made possible by arrangement with the International Code Council (ICC) and payment of a licensing fee. Please take only what you need, and if you like what we're doing, feel free to support this effort with a donation!

Coming soon to a bookstore near you - a new straw bale book!

Mon, 18 May 2020 00:33:56 GMT

"Straw Bale Construction Manual" from Germany was just published in Europe and will be available in the US in 4-5 weeks. (in English)

30 exemplary international projects illustrate the wide spectrum of design possibilities with straw. (some CASBA members contributed)

Documents the many and various uses of straw as a building material
Practical, step by step presentation with structural details

Here's a sneak peek!

Another good article on the fire resistance of straw bale building

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 23:17:59 GMT

Read it at OneZero! People Are Future-Proofing Their Homes With… Straw

Postponed! West Coast Natural Building Conference 2020

Sat, 14 Mar 2020 08:05:08 GMT

We are regretfully postponing our conference due to the Covid-19 virus. We are in the process of rescheduling, so check our website for an update soon! In the meantime, registration is temporarily disabled. However, you can join the wait list to let us know that you'd like to register when it re-opens!

Registration is open for the 2020 West Coast Natural Building Conference!

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 02:14:01 GMT

Join CASBA members from all over on April 17th -19th in Nevada City for the West Coast Natural Building Conference! Our theme this year is "Launching a Decade of Resilience", and we are featuring an organic vegetarian menu. Read more

Free Plaster Work Party, March 7-8, 2020, in Tracy, California

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 17:00:00 GMT

You are invited to help plaster the Chapel at Seeds of Life:

Location: Seeds of Life Spirituality Center, Tracy
Date: March 7-8, 2020, 8:30am Breakfast, 9am Plastering
Contact: Seeds of Life: (209) 637-3404
Email: sanfrancisco@verbumdeiusa.org
CASBA workshop coordinator, Allison, (301) 357-0582

Here we are just after Lunar New Year and we are still welcoming what is new in 2020. The strawbale round sacred space at Seeds of Life, Tracy California that we have been building under the leadership of Skillfull Means, with much of all of your help has survived the storms and rains of December and January after we all learned how to apply the scratch and structurally necessary coats on the outside. Now we need to repeat the same process on the inside, including the beautiful coves for the windows and the various niches. So lots of opportunity to be artistic or to be simply helpful - or both. We feel that this year really is the final stretch in a long process. So if you can afford the time we would be enormously grateful if you could come to our free WORK PARTY on MARCH 7 and 8, 2020. And it is exactly what the word means, lots of very interesting work and surprises of good companionship and great food.

The property is very conveniently located in the triangle between the Interstate 5 and freeway 580 on Highway 33 - at a flashing stop sign. Seeds of Life Spirituality Center, 33148 Highway 33, Tracy, CA 94103. We have place for camping and also a few rooms single or double occupancy for $30.

The team and religious sisters on the property are great fun to work with, we offer wonderful breakfast, lunch and dinner with home cooked meals. If you have dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance. We will also provide snacks. Please bring a refillable water bottle.

Bring work clothes, any protective gear like gloves and masks and hawks and trowels if you have them.

Hope to see you there!! Ready to begin the finishing stretch of 2020.

Seeds of Life

Save the date for the 2020 West Coast Natural Building Conference!

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 02:00:00 GMT

CASBA's annual West Coast Natural Building Conference is scheduled for April 17-19 at Shady Creek Conference Center in Nevada City. We hope you'll plan on joining us for another amazing weekend of learning, sharing, and fun!

Publicity Events for "Straw Bale Building Details - An Illustrated Guide for Design and Construction" !

Thu, 16 May 2019 00:02:06 GMT

Straw Bale Building Details - An Illustrated Guide for Design and Construction is now in publication! Read about it, listen to author radio interviews, check for a publicity event near you, or buy it, by following this link to our book page and publicity events calendar!

2019 CASBA West Coast Natural Building Conference

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 23:00:00 GMT

Mark your calendars and save the date! CASBA's annual Spring conference will be April 5th-7th at the beautiful Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma. We're working on the details now, so check back for further details soon.

CASBA's new book , "Straw Bale Building Details - An Illustrated Guide for Design and Construction" to be published in April!

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 00:48:43 GMT

Read about here: https://www.strawbuilding.org/Straw-Bale-Building-Details/

Green Building and Straw Bale Basics

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

3 day workshop on Sept 7-9 at a site in Big Pine, CA.

Come learn about green building and straw bale building at this 3 day workshop hosted by the Big Pine Tribal Environmental Department. Presentation topics will cover alternative building materials, heating and cooling, interiors (lights, walls, flooring), landscaping, and how to conserve water and electricity. Participants will also have the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the construction of a straw bale garden shed. We will install straw bales and plaster with natural plaster. A mix of instruction time, hands on experience will provide you with the basic knowledge of green building to plan your own project.

Instructors are long time straw bale and plaster experts, Athena and Bill Steen from The Canelo Project, David Eisenberg from the DCAT (Development Center for Appropriate Technology), and Art Ludwig from Oasis Design!

Space is limited. Register here! https://www.strawbuilding.org/event-3046449

Clay Paster Workshop

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 20:38:59 GMT

3 day workshop on Sept 14-16 at Soul Food Farm in Vacaville, CA.

Come learn about Clay Plaster at this 3 day workshop where we will apply clay plasters on a small straw bale farm building under construction at Soul Food Farm. In this workshop, we will be using the native clay soil as a base material for the plaster. Participants will get hands on experience through all stages of the plastering on the building. We will mix and apply the scratch coat, the brown coat and the finish coat. We will also have the opportunity to try relief plaster and ornamentation. Sign up here!

Straw Bale Home Tour this weekend - May 5th, 2018!

Tue, 01 May 2018 07:26:12 GMT

See 6 great examples of straw bale homes in Nevada & Placer counties! Details here

Spring Conference Registration is Open! CASBA presents the new CASBA West Coast Natural Building Conference - April 13th-15th, 2018

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 19:30:00 GMT

Registration is open! Join us April 13-15 at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria (near San Luis Obispo and Hearst Castle) for our annual Spring Conference, with a particular focus on fire-safe construction. This year we also celebrate women in natural building and invite all who thrive on earth & straw to join us for CASBA's West Coast Natural Building Conference. Sleeping cabins are of strawbale construction!

Fire-resistive Straw Bale Walls Survive North Bay Fires

Fri, 15 Dec 2017 08:16:09 GMT

While architects and builders have known for years that the strawbale walls of their buildings
have superior fire-resistance, several examples of homes surviving recent wildfires bear further evidence of this quality.

To read the rest of this article Click Here

Sierra Straw Home Tour: Postponed

Wed, 30 Aug 2017 01:30:53 GMT

The tour of straw homes in the Grass Valley and Nevada City area has been postponed until May of 2018. We'll post more information at the beginning of the new year. If you'd like to help with logistics, please let us know!

April 13 - 15, 2018 Spring Conference at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria

Sat, 13 May 2017 01:30:00 GMT

The Conference Committee is planning another great CASBA Conference! Please send a note to info@strawbuilding.org if you have an interest in presenting or hosting a workshop.

Registration for the conference will open by mid-February. We hope to see you there!

See 2017 conference and presentation details here!

A Huge Thank You to Three Twins Ice Cream!

Sat, 13 May 2017 01:30:00 GMT

One Percent for the Planet business partner Three Twins Ice Cream sweetened up our conference by donating an array of scrumptious ice cream flavors for attendees to enjoy! Through their Ice Cream for Acres program, every time your purchase their ice cream you are helping to conserve precious habitat! You can read about it here .

Get free clean energy advice and help CASBA too!

Wed, 07 Dec 2016 02:31:09 GMT

We’re happy to introduce you to MyDomino, our new clean energy partner, and to extend their offer of a free one-year membership to their energy savings concierge service. (a $99 value)

MyDomino will also make a $50 donation to CASBA when you speak with a MyDomino concierge by phone the first time! (with no commitment)

To sign up for MyDomino's service Click Here and use Partner Code "CASBA"

Why has CASBA partnered with MyDomino?

MyDomino has a similar mission. They share knowledge gathered from research & practical experience to help fight Climate Change, and they help you avoid sales hype and save money! Our members & supporters deserve to know about this resource, so we're glad to spread the word.

Your free MyDomino membership includes:

A quick and easy energy consult for your home by phone – whether you rent or own.
A personalized clean energy plan with advice on actions such as using LEDs, smart thermostats, heat pumps, solar power, EVs, and more.
A customized dashboard to track your progress and get unlimited clean energy guidance.

Feel free to share this offer with your clients and other straw balers!

Sign up now for the “Plastering a Strawbale House Workshop” near Santa Cruz!

Sat, 13 Aug 2016 02:00:52 GMT

Details can be found here.

CASBA is delighted to announce that we are now a non-profit partner of One Percent for the Planet!

Thu, 17 Mar 2016 02:11:46 GMT

Not only does this open new doors to funding for us, it also offers new networking opportunities with other non-profits concerned about Climate Change and the way in which we occupy our planet.

Excerpted from the 1% for the Planet press release...

CASBA is now eligible to receive donations from 1% for the Planet member companies, placing them among a diverse, global network of environmental organizations. 1% member businesses fuel this nonprofit network through their annual contributions. Partnership with 1% greatly expands the potential pool of funding to which CASBA can look to for support.

"1% for the Planet member businesses donate at least 1% of their annual sales to support environmental nonprofits," says Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. "We believe deeply that these nonprofits play a critical role in solving the many challenges facing our planet, and our core work is to grow the corporate support that enables these nonprofits to accomplish even more."

About 1% for the Planet

1% for the Planet is a global network of businesses that donate one percent of annual sales directly to approved environmental nonprofit organizations. More than 1,000 businesses give back to a network of approved nonprofits addressing critical environmental issues. Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, former owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% for the Planet helps people buy better products and protect the planet we play on. To date, our network has given more than $130 million back to the planet.

To learn more go to: www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.

20th Anniversary Conference - April 21-24, 2016

Sun, 21 Feb 2016 01:29:49 GMT

Breaking News Flash(back)
[THE FOLLOWING INVITATION IS PATTERNED AFTER ONE FROM 2003]

THE
PERMANENT DANCE AND DECORATING COMMITTEE
OF THE

CALIFORNIA STRAW BUILDING ASSOCIATION

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS THE HONOR OF YOUR PRESENCE

April 21, 22, 23, 24 - 2016

FOR THE
20^TH ANNIVERSARY MEETING, HOEDOWN, GABFEST AND CONFERENCE
CALIFORNIA VALLEY MOTEL

CARRIZO PLAIN, S.L.O. COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Personally Constructed Strawbale Shelters for your dreamtime
Dramatic Carrizo Plain views for your eyes
Gourmet food and grog for your body
Information for your mind
Music for your soul

Cost:$225.00 early bird thru March 31
$275 until April 15
$325 at the door

Lodging cost varies depending upon the tenderness of one’s bones
Conference cost includes all meals and program for the duration

The theme of this conference/meeting will celebrating CASBA’s first 20 years and plotting the course for the next 20 years of Low Carbon and Natural Building. In addition our Keynote Speakers Athena and Bill Steen, we will have feautured speakers, panels of experts on topics including ‘Affordable Straw Bale’, ‘Insurance and Financing’, ‘Carbon Sequestration’ and ‘Plaster, Moisture & Durability’. Plus discussion about your projects large, small, sedate or wild.

If you would like to present your project, idea or product in a 5 minute ‘Pop-Up Presentation’, send a 50 word synopsis of your presentation to Chris Prelitz: chrisprelitz@gmail.com NOW.

Demonstrations on bale stacking, knot tying, plaster applying or of any other sort are welcome. So inclined? Email info@strawbuilding.org

There will also be ‘20x20’ presentations again this year, on Friday evening. 20 slides, 20 seconds each; 6 minutes 40 seconds total. Bring your slides in a single PDF, PPT or JPGs and we’ll make it happen.

The social side of the weekend will feature dancing and decorating to the baleful (sic) tones of ‘The Straw Balers’ Band. There will be a ritualistic burning of bales, hurling of flaming projectiles with a 12’ trebuchet, drumming of drums and reminiscing to the depths of our failing memories (thank goodness for photos, which if you have to share, please send to Lesley Christiana: jchristiana@sbcglobal.net )

Finally, assistance is absolutely needed for Set Up before, During the Event, and Clean Up after. If you are willing and able to assist with any of these, please indicate so in your registration, and/or send a note to our conference committee via info@strawbuilding.org.

Please visit www.strawbuilding.org for registration and full schedule.

There will be field trips!!!

FREE CODE DOWNLOADS: IRC Appendix AS & Appendix AR with Commentary

Sun, 31 May 2015 06:30:00 GMT

Appendix AS – Strawbale Construction with Commentary

Appendix AR - Light Straw-Clay Construction with Commentary

from the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)

Free Download (please download only the Appendix or Appendices you need)

Appendix AS with Commentary

To receive your free download:

Visit the Download page
Click Add to Bag button
Shopping Bag will appear in lower right corner of your browser
Click Open Bag link
Complete checkout process

Appendix AS and Appendix AR as downloaded from this page are from the 2021 International Residential Code and Commentary as published by the International Code Council (ICC). These downloads are made available by agreement between CASBA and the ICC.

The complete IRC and Commentary is available for purchase from the ICC here:

The 2021 IRC without commentary is also available as read-only (not downloadable) for free on ICC’s website at https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IRC2021P2

Appendix AS and Appendix AR sometimes reference sections of the IRC, so access to the complete IRC is important for full understanding and full use. The IRC applies to one and two-family dwellings, their accessory structures and townhouses.

The IRC is a model code with no legal standing of its own, but it is the basis for the residential code in virtually every state and local jurisdiction in the United States. However, many jurisdictions have not yet adopted the 2021 IRC, and some may not adopt Appendix AS or Appendix AR. Jurisdictions that do adopt Appendix AS and Appendix AR may also amend them. Consult your local building department to understand which edition of the IRC is the basis for its current building code and whether Appendix AS and Appendix AR are included.

Project applicants who wish to use Appendix AS or Appendix AR for a project where the state or local jurisdiction has not adopted the 2021 IRC or the Appendix, can propose their use on a project basis with the local building official.

The Commentary describes intent, and gives compliance examples for the Appendix code requirements. This is especially helpful for design professionals, builders, building owners, and code officials with little or no experience with strawbale or light straw-clay construction.

Appendix AS and California

Appendix AS from the 2021 IRC is included with minor amendment in the 2022 California Residential Code (CRC) and was adopted by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for mandatory statewide use. The 2022 CRC took effect January 1, 2023 for permit applications dated Jan. 1, 2023 through Dec 31, 2025. If a local building department or official claims their jurisdiction did not adopt Appendix AS or otherwise refuse to use Appendix AS, please contact Martin Hammer (see below).

Appendix AR with Commentary

To receive your free download:

Visit the Download page
Click Add to Bag button
Shopping Bag will appear in lower right corner of your browser
Click Open Bag link
Complete checkout process

Appendix AR and California

Appendix AR from the 2021 IRC is included in the 2022 California Residential Code, for voluntary use by local jurisdictions. Unlike Appendix AS, it was not adopted by a state agency for mandatory statewide use, but it can be proposed for use on a project basis.

Other Editions of Appendix AR or AS(2015, 2018 and information re: 2024) can be obtained through Martin Hammer (see below). Past editions could be in force for current or past projects depending on the State or local jurisdiction and the project application date. The 2024 IRC and appendices have been finalized through ICC’s code development process and will be published sometime in 2023. They will go through State and local adoption in subsequent years.

Questions or Comments regarding IRC Appendix AS and Appendix AR can be directed to their lead author, Martin Hammer, at mfhammer@pacbell.net .

Appendix AU – Cob Construction (Monolithic Adobe)

Appendix AU is available for free download through the Cob Research Institute (CRI) at https://www.cobcode.org/code-download

Consider a Donation to CASBA

CASBA is happy to offer IRC Appendices for free download, but also encourages donations that help fund our ongoing agreement with ICC, and help allow CASBA members to periodically revise the appendices and advocate for other sustainable advances in the building codes. Please donate here https://strawbuilding.org/donate

Schedule Available for Spring Conference!

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 03:57:02 GMT

We have a draft schedule available for the Spring Conference. Check it out, and don't forget to register!

Web Systems Refresh Nearing Completion!

Sat, 07 Feb 2015 20:21:27 GMT

We are incredibly excited to report the near-completion of our web and administration systems refresh!

We are now utilizing a service called Wild Apricot, which offers website hosting to clubs and non-profits, along with contact and membership management services. While the look and feel of our website has remained essentially the same, Wild Apricot will allow us to significantly streamline our administrative processes, and to communicate with our members and those interested in straw building much more efficiently and effectively.

New Features

Here are just a few of the things that we hope will improve your experiences with CASBA:

Email management: Anyone on our mailing list -- both current members and people on our email list -- can log into their account to update and manage their email subscription settings.
Member profiles: Visible to members only, member profiles include things like your town/city and whether or not you currently own a straw bale building. There is also a privacy option to make yourself "invisible" to other CASBA members if you so choose.
Member Contact Form: Also visible to members only, the Member Contact Form allows you to be emailed by other members without initially revealing your email addresses. In this way, members can be contacted while still maintaining privacy (Note: only the email sent from the form is private; if you respond to an email you will use your regular email program and will thereby share your email address).
Group Membership "Bundles": We now have the ability to easily include the various members of our group memberships -- so the family or business colleagues associated with your membership can create their own accounts and receive emails if they wish. (If you have a group membership, see "To Log Into Your Account" below to add members to your "bundle.")

We will also shortly be launching a new straw building Forum (replacing our current Google group) for members to ask and answer questions of each other.

Your Status with CASBA

Many of our new features are "self-service," meaning you can log into the site at any time to manage your account and settings. While we have some people on our list who are simply interested parties, and have opted into our email lists, we of course encourage you to become a member (or re-up if your membership has expired). You can log in to see the status of your membership.

Log Into Your Account

To log into your account, you must first set up a password. Click the link below to receive a temporary password which will let you log into the site and create your own password.

http://www.strawbuilding.org/Sys/ResetPasswordRequest

Then use the form in the left-hand column of this site to log in.

As We Move Forward

As with any new software system, there is a learning curve and we know that we will likely run into a few issues here and there, and we appreciate your patience as we work out the kinks. All of CASBA's activities are managed by volunteers, so we hope you will forgive us some bumps and bruises in this process. And as always, we are grateful for any feedback so feel free to contact us with any comments or questions.

We look forward to providing you with even more straw building resources in the coming weeks and months!

See Videos from the 2014 Conference!

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 20:21:32 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsMjM1--8NTd1EN_aksfVNAjXIFZD1doP

2014 Member Survey Results

Sat, 29 Nov 2014 20:19:39 GMT

See what CASBA members think -- view the results here!

Strawbale Construction and Its Evolution in Building Codes

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 03:22:31 GMT

Read this article by CASBA member Martin Hammer and David Eisenberg. Originally published in the February 2014 issue of the International Code Council's monthly on line publication Building Safety Journal

Strawbale building will now be part of the national building code!!! Learn more...

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 03:20:10 GMT

Straw bale as a construction material and building system has just taken an huge step into the mainstream. After countless meetings, hearings, revisions, and hours of work, strawbale building will now be part of the national building code.

Upcoming Workshops! September & October, 2014.

Wed, 13 Aug 2014 02:11:42 GMT

Piloting a Straw Bale House

Mon, 28 May 2012 19:10:43 GMT

CASBA member John Swearingen of Skillful Means assisted pilot Heidi Porch in creating a straw bale dream home. Read the Sonoma Magazine article.

Straw Bale Studio Rises from Ashes

Mon, 28 May 2012 19:09:24 GMT

In Deerhorn Valley in Southern California, an artist's Straw Bale Studio rises from the ashes and doubles as a community center. A CASBA contractor was involved in its construction.

Read the East Country Magazine article and see pictures.

Fine Homebuilding award for CASBA architects

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:05:24 GMT

Fine Homebuilding's 2012 award for best new home was won by Arkin Tilt Architects for designing a 2500 SF home in Santa Cruz, Calif

Congratulation to CASBA members David Arkin & Anni Tilt of Arkin Tilt Architects, who received the award for this Net Zero energy and Hybrid Straw Bale Home.

And learn about another Arkin Tilt project at Off-The-Grid Straw Bale Getaway

The Carbon Implications of Straw Bale Buildings

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:11:49 GMT

Read this blog posting by Stuart Staniford of Early Warning:

http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/2010/09/straw-bale-model-house.html