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 Awards & Recognition

 We salute all our winners! (including the many from years past that we do not have pictured here)

 


Traveling Straw Dog Award

“In recognition of services above and beyond the call of duty in furthering straw building in California.”

2022

Jenna Yu, architect

For her many years of service as our prior CASBA Workshop Coordinator.


 

2019

Massey Burke, Natural materials specialist

In recognition of her talents as a natural builder, artist, and educator, and her ability to articulate her passion about the environmental challenges all species on earth face and to illustrate carbon neutral building as a part of the solution.


 

2018

Michele Landegger, Contractor

For being an early adopter of straw bale building and an inspiration for many as a woman who pioneered being a general contractor and natural builder.


 

2017

Rebecca Tasker & Mike Long, Contractors

For exemplifying bale construction as a service to community: not only building good buildings, but nurturing the community that builds them as well.


 

2016

Bob Theis, Architect

In recognition of all his work that, since the beginning of CASBA, has done so much for advancing straw bale building.

 

2015

Straw Bale Code Team (Martin Hammer, Mark Aschheim, Kevin Donahue, Dan Smith, David Eisenberg, Et al)

To recognize and thank the team for their extraordinary efforts over the years, and to celebrate the official adoption of Appendix S into the IRC!


 

2014

Claudine (CJ) Cavet, Owner-builder

For her work on the Advisory Board, coordinating CASBA workshops for many years, and also spearheading a major website overhaul.


Right: 2013 recipient David Arkin presents the 2014 award to CJ Cavet.  View the video!

2013

Anni Tilt and David Arkin, Architects

For excellence in designing and in promoting straw bale building.

Arkin Tilt Architects won Fine Homebuilding's 2012 award for best new home.


Right: Anni Tilt & David Arkin (left) accept the Award from Jim Reiland  

2012

Jim Reiland & Joy Rogalla, Owner-builders

For their dedicated volunteerism. Jim & Joy have been enthusiastic supporters of many, many aspects

of CASBA. Jim is managing editor of CASBA's Detail Book update (published in 2019 as "Straw Bale Building Details -

An Illustrated Guide for Design and Construction")


2011

Darcey Donovan, Engineer

For her post-disaster straw building work in earthquake-ravaged Pakistan and her impressive seismic testing.



Right: Darcey marking cracks during one of the Pakistan Straw Bale and Appropriate Building (PAKSBAB) seismic research project wall tests at the University of Reno, Nevada. See the July 2011 issue of the CASBA Journal for an article on Darcey and her work with PAKSBAB.

2010

Dan Smith, Architect


 

2009

Athena & Bill Steen, Straw Bale pioneers and educators

For their pioneering work and education in the field of straw bale building and earth plaster.

Right: Athena & Bill Steen (left) receive the 2009 Traveling Straw Dog Award from 2008 recipients Turko Semmes & Greg McMillan.

2008

Greg McMillan & Turko Semmes, Contractors

For being the instigators behind the founding of CASBA and it's community, and pioneers in the field of straw bale building.


Right: Turko Semmes & Greg McMillan accepting the Traveling Straw Dog award, Cambria, CA, March, 2008

2007 

Bruce King, PE


 

2006 

Martin Hammer, Architect


 

2005 

Tim Kennedy, Contractor


 

2004 

Bob Bolles, Consultant

For his early work in straw bale building prior to CASBA, for being a founding member of CASBA, and for sowing the seeds of straw bale building throughout the southern counties of California. 
 

2003 

Maurice & Joy Bennett, CASBA directors and owner- builders

For taking on leadership of CASBA, building community, and representing CASBA so well, everywhere they can.

 


Big Heart Award

  "for excellence in developing the feeling of ecological building."

2022

Massey Burke

For being such an inspiration for so many years to so many people entering a natural building career path, and   for continuing to inspire others.


Right: Massey Burke accepts the Big Heart Award from James Henderson.

2019

James Henderson

For his skill as a plasterer, the work he does on social media to educate and encourage, and his recent formation of the Natural Plasterer's Guild.


 

2018

Rebecca Tasker & Mike Long, Contractors


 

2017

Jim Furness, Contractor

For his years of cheerful support and dedication to CASBA: helping with workshops and events, serving on the advisory board, and for keeping us laughing all the while.

 

2016

Lesley Christiana


 

2015

Kerstin Sjoquist

For her work on the Advisory Board, and for masterminding an upgrade of the CASBA website to help us stay in touch with our members & followers better .


 

2014

Martin Hammer, Architect

For leading the straw bale code effort and being instrumental in getting straw bale building into the international residential code (IRC).


View the video of Ray Sheehy's presentation and Martin's acceptance speech.

2013

Ray Sheehy

For his generous spirit, invaluable help with workshops, and his work on the Advisory Board.


2012

Jim Reiland & Joy Rogalla


 

2011

Claudine (CJ) Cavet


 

2010

Kathy Gregor


 

2009

Bob Theis


 

2008

John Swearingen


 

2007

Dan Smith & Associates


 

2006

David Arkin & Anni Tilt


 

CASBA is fiscally sponsored by the Tides Center, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.

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