About GB Design Build
Founded in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in 2009, GB Design Build brings together the area's architecture and construction talent under one roof. Led by Hans Berend and partners Bert, Adam, David, Skip, Neal and Dave, the team designs and builds mountain homes for families to gather, relax, and live within reach of the natural environment — surrounded by beautiful materials and design built specifically for how they live.
Every home reflects the client it's built for. Mountain Contemporary, Modern Farmhouse, Old Town Contemporary, Mid-century Mountain, Craftsman Mountain, or something entirely its own — the GB repertoire is built around your vision, not a house style we repeat. Clients can work with GB as a full design-build team, engage our architects on their own, or bring their own architect's design to our construction team, and if your architect is already on board, we're glad to build from their vision, too.
GB also offers renovation services for existing homes in the Steamboat area.
Meet the team
Each GB team member brings their own eye and their own story to the work. We're a group of people who care about making beautiful spaces. Our team includes architects, designers, and construction field crews — all under one roof — so every plan gets weighed for aesthetics, logistics, and cost together, not in separate conversations. The build team is involved from the design phase forward, and the design team stays engaged with clients and crews well past the point the plans are finished, through to the day 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, and paddle boarding.
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 Quaker Mountain.
NEAL SMYTH
PROJECT MANAGER/PARTNER
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/PARTNER
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!
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.
Conor Waller
PROJECT MANAGER
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Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Conor earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland before building a decade-long career in commercial construction. His experience spans a $1.1 billion project portfolio, including notable projects at Denver International Airport and McGregor Square for the Colorado Rockies.
Outside of work, Conor spends much of his time outdoors. He is currently competing in the Freeride World Qualifier and also enjoys mountain biking, trail running, snowmobiling, and competitive sailing.
Chris Fletcher
ARCHITECT
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Chris is a licensed architect that grew up in western Colorado. His design work draws heavily from a formal education and Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Colorado. He paid for his education by working in residential construction as a framer and carpenter for several years. Chris has gravitated toward real-world hands-on experiences and opportunities to further his understanding of the practice of architecture. This trajectory has granted him 15 years of opportunities to work on a wide range of project types including high-end custom homes, LEED accredited multi-family housing, Restaurants, Urban-infill and adaptive reuse projects. Watching a project finally take shape is the spark that keeps his creative process inspired.
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.
BRET MARX
OPERATIONS MANAGER
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With five years at GB, Bret values learning from his coworkers and trade partners and appreciates the teamwork that defines every project. He's the one keeping all the wheels and progress moving! Outside of work, he’s happiest spending time with his family and enjoying the outdoors. Proud to call the Yampa Valley home, Bret can’t imagine living anywhere else.
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.
CANDACE POWELL
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
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Raised in Iowa, Candace moved to Steamboat over 20 years ago to fulfill her dream of living in the mountains and to attend Colorado Mountain College earning a degree in Resort Management. After many positions and over 18 years in the hotel industry, she decided to make a change and move to the construction accounting world. She is the mother of two teenagers, Taylor and Blake and married her husband Matt 17 years ago this fall. Their sweet and rambunctious huskie Raven completes the family. She enjoys camping, hiking, rafting, golf, and snowboarding in her free time.
BOBBY HENSON
INTEGRATED HOME MAINTENANCE
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Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Bobby has called Steamboat Springs home for the past 10 years. He enjoys hands-on work, troubleshooting challenges, and finding practical solutions that help keep homes running smoothly and projects moving forward.
Outside of work, Bobby spends as much time outdoors as possible, whether fly fishing, snowboarding, skateboarding, or exploring the mountains with his dog, Riley.
SAMPSON
THE OFFICE LOVERBOY
FRANKIE
CHIEF PRIMA DONNA
