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Bale-raising events planned for San Jose's first straw structure

By Mary Gottschalk

San Jose is set to get its first straw bale building this month in the Rose Garden when Rosemary DiNardo and her husband, Michael Kenniston, build a 200-sqaure-foot art studio out of rice straw bales in the back yard of their Shasta Hanchett Park home.

Earlier this week, a crew delivered approximately 100 straw bales that will be used as infill, inside a post-and-beam wooden frame supporting the roof.

In honor of the event, a free presentation and slide show on straw bale construction will take place April 11 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. in San Jose City Hall.

Michele Landbegger, head of Boa Constructor Building & Design and a specialist in natural building techniques, will give the presentation.

Topics include building with straw bales, natural building techniques and ecological remodeling.

Those attending the presentation may also participate in a bale-raising workshop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 12 and 13 and help build the first straw bale structure in San Jose. Participation in the workshop is $225 for homeowners and $300 for building professionals, including lunch on each day. Space is limited in the workshop portion.

The presentation will take place in room W119 in City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St.

For additional information visit http://strawbale.numinastudio.com or call Rosemary DiNardo at 408.291.0690.