History
About GB Design Build
Founded in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 2009, the GB Design Build team includes Steamboat’s top tier Architects and Construction professionals. GB offers clients the option to work together as a Design Build Team, an Architect, or as General Contractor and Builder, promising a home building experience that combines inspired design, efficiency, and superior craftsmanship through outstanding communication and collaboration.
Led by Hans and partners, Bert, Adam, David and Skip, the GB team designs, builds or remodels mountain homes for families to gather, relax, and live within reach of the natural mountain environment, surrounded by beautiful materials and creative, thoughtful design. Every home GB designs and/or builds reflects the client’s style and life. Mountain Contemporary, Modern Farmhouse, Old Town Contemporary, Mid-century Mountain, Craftsman Mountain or something entirely unique, are all part of the GB repertoire.
PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Meet the team
Each GB team member is an artist in his/her own right with an interesting story. We are a group of people inspired by making beautiful spaces. The GB team includes architects, designers and construction field crews, which means plans are evaluated in terms of aesthetics, logistics and cost all under one roof. Since the design team and the build team are part of the same company, each side weighs in on plans, communicates the pros and cons to clients and supports each other. The build team is involved in the design phase of every project, just as the design team continues to participate and communicate with the construction crews and clients well after the plans are finished, until the construction is complete.
HANS BEREND
CEO / CO-FOUNDER
Originally from Chicago, Hans Berend spent his childhood helping his dad with home renovation projects. Building was something that came naturally for him, and he felt drawn to the home building and renovation business. After graduating from Colorado College and then trying out corporate life in San Francisco, Hans made the move to Steamboat Springs, where he balanced summer construction jobs and winters as a ski instructor.
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Over the next several years, Hans worked with concrete, in a custom cabinetry shop, and as a carpenter under several building contractors in Steamboat. To balance work with play, Hans owned and operated the Steamboat Fishing Company (now called Steamboat Flyfisher). Thirty miles of private river leases, and a downtown retail space, along with his excellent guides, ensured success. In the off-seasons, Hans traveled to the Bahamas, Chile and Argentina – including three separate expeditions to Patagonia – to guide private fishing trips.
Hans and his wife, Heidi, began renovating homes as a hobby. Together they purchased a few “homes with potential,” for their own personal renovation projects – one in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and two in Moab, Utah. Through these projects Hans expanded his knowledge and skills in building design and construction.
Hans’ reputation for fine woodworking and carpentry continued to grow, however he found himself isolated and confined to a workshop, and he missed the interaction with clients he’d developed at his fishing business. Hans decided it was time to start his own building company, Alpha Construction – where he expanded his repertoire to include general contracting. Through his business, he has been able to work closely with clients and skilled tradespeople, building compelling, quality homes in Steamboat ever since.
His love of the personal side of the building business and high standards for each job, made him a perfect fit for a company which combined construction and design. With Jeff Gerber, he founded GB Design Build in 2009.
Fast forward to 2023. GB has grown to over 40 employees and taken on several of the longtime team as partners. Jeff retired, leaving Hans to run the business. Hans continues to be dedicated to an excellent home building experience for clients which includes an inspired design vision, quality craftsmanship, and collaboration.
BERT LARSON
OPERATIONS MANAGER / PARTNER
In 2008, Bert Larson arrived in Steamboat Springs with his wife of 30-years and two daughters. He has been with GB since the company started and loves the process of solving construction puzzles. On his own time, he enjoys snowboarding (or skiing?) in the winter and spending his time on the river in the summer. Combining two passions, Bert has recently taken up boat building, first crafting a canoe, and more recently a drift boat. He is also a chicken rancher.
SKIP WARNKE
PROJECT MANAGER / PARTNER
Raised in the Chicago area, Skip attended Northern Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in Construction Management. He has two young boys with his wife Kate, and he loves being a dad. He enjoys snowboarding, dirt biking, paddle boarding and his moonlighting gig as the bass player in a local band.
ADAM HARTSTEIN
PROJECT MANAGER / PARTNER
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Adam moved to Steamboat to “ski for just one winter.” Thirteen years later, Adam is happily married with two young boys and finds building custom homes a great way to pass the time between powder days. He enjoys spending time with his family, camping, hiking, biking, and rafting.
DAVID HOFFMAN
LEAD ARCHITECT / PARTNER
David Hoffman, has been with GB Design Build since 2014 and leads the GB design team. He earned his Architecture License in 2002 in Chicago, has worked in residential architecture for 25-years, and has earned numerous awards for excellence and preservation in architecture. He was a partner in a Chicago architecture firm for nine years before moving to Steamboat Springs with his wife and two sons to enjoy the mountain lifestyle. These days you can find David alpine or backcountry skiing during the winter months, and in the summer working on the cabin he is building near Quandry Mountain.
RYAN KEEFE
PROJECT MANAGER
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Ryan received his first set of tools at the age of 3 – they were plastic and he had to make the “power tool” sound effects. He was raised in Denver and attended Montana State University to study Construction Engineering Technology. Admitted coffee addict with no plans of recovering.
NEAL SMYTH
PROJECT MANAGER
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Neal brings over a decade of experience from the Kitchen and Bath industry, selling plumbing fixtures and appliances, before he arrived at GB. His obsessions include, mountain biking, and skiing, but will never turn down a round of golf with good friends. Married to wife Cristin, Neal has two daughters, Vera and Audrey, and dog Zander.
DAVE ROCK
DESIGNER
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Dave attended NDSU in Fargo, ND where he received his Masters in architecture. He is now working on his “local” status having been in Steamboat for 11 years. He loves snowboarding in the winter, mountain biking & volleyball in the summer, and spending time with the family (wife Sita, son Nico, and daughter Ava), camping, hiking, and paddle boarding. Dave is our quiet schematic design wizard; he does not say much, but that is because he is designing in his mind, while he is talking to you!
TAYLOR SMITH
DESIGNER
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Taylor was born in South Carolina where he received a degree in Architecture from Clemson University. Following his passion, he found himself in Steamboat Springs, Colorado where he could explore everything the outdoors had to offer. Taylor enjoys spending his free time floating down the river, looking for elk, or sitting around a campfire. He would probably request to work from his raft if the river had more consistent Wi-Fi.
DUG RAWLINGS
DIRECTOR, GB INTEGRATED
HOME MAINTENANCE
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Dug started building forts and friendships in Steamboat in 1974. Ski school, coaching and construction kept him busy through the 80’s. He met Kay in the early 90’s and they got married at the top of the gondola in 1995. They moved to the PNW “for a couple years” to gain some education and so Dug could try out city life.
The plan always was to return. 28 years and 2 adult children later, Dug and Kay have moved back to Steamboat full time. During their time in Seattle they visited Steamboat often and stayed connected to the town & their friends. Their kids, Wilson & Cameron, spent enough time in Steamboat to develop their own friendships & love of the area. “We really do miss our Seattle friendships but Steamboat is our home!”
During time off from work with GBDB, Dug will be building stuff, skiing, biking, camping, wandering in the woods & hunting. Dug always loves earning an apres’ beverage with friends & family.
TRACY QUINN
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
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Tracy is married to husband Jon, who owns Northwest Data Solutions so we get real fast service when the phones or the computers are down! Tracy has two daughters, Evan and Dylan, who she follows around Colorado to watch their tennis matches.
JESSIE SELBY
OFFICE MANAGER
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Jessie, born and raised in the vibrant community of Steamboat, cherishes being part of this remarkable town. She is a proud graduate of Colorado State University, where she earned a degree in Hospitality and Event Management. Jessie’s passions include cooking, biking, hiking mountain peaks, and enjoying happy hours and sunsets—ideally all at once.
Jessie finds great fulfillment in utilizing her administrative skills to support a team dedicated to crafting masterpiece homes. Her background in consumer relations and her enthusiastic willingness to assist with a wide array of tasks make her an invaluable asset to the team.
SAMPSON
THE OFFICE LOVERBOY
FRANKIE
CHIEF PRIMA DONNA
