• Site Specific Design Solutions

  • Accurate Project Budgeting & Cost Estimating

  • Knowledge of Site Construction & Plant Materials

  • Balance between Softscape & Hardscape

  • Sensitivity to Natural Resource Systems

About Me

I first became interested in Landscape Architecture during my first 'real job' at 14 years of age working at a Country Club doing Golf Course Maintenance and yes...Caddying! It was just like the movie Caddyshack. I was so impressed with how immaculate and clean the landscape was kept that I began to read everything I could get my hands on regarding Horticulture, Turf Grasses, Topography, Drainage, Landscape Design, and Irrigation Systems. This was the foundation and the infancy of my soon to be career in Landscape Architecture/ Site Planning & Urban Design. I took all the Architectural/Engineering Drafting classes I could enroll in during high school, then graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1976 with a BS in Landscape Architecture working all 4 summers at Smith Miller & Associates in Camp Hill, PA and starting my career w' them for the summer after graduation. Fall of 1976 I moved to Pittsburgh and started a job with The Oxford Development Company as their 'in house' Landscape Architect and Department Head managing the Interior & Exterior Design/Construction/Maintenance of all existing resort properties in the northeast and all new Shopping Center Landscape & Site Construction. I had been recruited out of PSU by them because of my Senior Thesis on Interior Landscape Design & Development. Interior Tropical Plant Design was a significant design element in all their projects. During these 5 years in Pittsburgh I Interned under the Landscape Architectural License at GWSM Associates toward my qualification to take the UNE (Uniform National Exam) and obtained my own Landscape Architectural Registration. Spring of 1980 I moved to Colorado and worked at THK Associates for 2 years and passed the UNE Exam. In 1982 I left THK and started The GSB Design Group.

Experience, Background, and Qualifications

The GSB Design Group, is a Landscape Architectural Planning and Design Firm offering a wide range of Interior and Exterior Design/Development Consulting Services for both public and private clients. These clients consist primarily of developers, homebuilders, cities and municipalities, architects, other landscape architectural firms, engineers, school districts, homeowners, and contractors. To date, we have accrued over 35 years experience in the profession of Landscape Architecture and have been involved in a variety of projects primarily in the areas of large scale residential development, streetscape and median design, accessible recreation/park and open space planning, urban planning and design, housing and high end residential planning and design, school campus planning, master planning, regional shopping centers, commercial office buildings, signage and site graphics, detailed site design and construction documents, specifications, and construction management. I have also served as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Colorado-Denver Campus in the Masters Landscape Architecture Program and written as contributing editors for several national trade publications. In addition, periodically we are invited speakers and seminar leaders for many national trade shows and professional conventions. We remain committed to the concept of producing the most functional, aesthetic and cost effective design solutions, within a client's set budget and time frame. Our projects continually involve a team approach consisting of the client, other consultants and agencies, contractors, and ourselves. Communication, coordination and a knowledge of all project elements between each of the team 'players' inevitably leads to the production and implementation of many successful projects.

Licenses Held

Gary S. Barnhart LA/RLA is a Registered Landscape Architect via (U.N.E.) (C.L.A.R.B.) (Uniformed National Exam Testing – Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards). Currently holds registrations in the states of Colorado and Kansas and can become licensed in any other state via reciprocity thru C.L.A.R.B. file.  

Hourly Rates:

Clients can now pay GSB Fees by check or credit card through PayPal. Principal - Landscape Architect $95.00 - $125.00/Hour Associate/Senior/CADD $75.00 - $95.00/Hour Professional/Technical/Drafting $55.00 - $75.00/Hour Clerical/Messenger $35.00 - $55.00/Hour Mileage/Travel $ .65/Mile