Meet Gardner Fenton Goetze
Gardner F. Goetze is a California-licensed general contractor, designer, and permaculture practitioner with over 20 years of experience delivering bespoke residential, commercial, and regenerative design-build projects across Northern California. He is the founder of GFG Design/Build, a BBB-accredited firm known for integrating craftsmanship, architectural design, engineering coordination, and artistic vision.
Gardner studied design, architecture, and visual arts at the California College of the Arts (CCA), sound engineering at Expression College for Digital Arts, and advanced ecological design at Ecoversity, where he earned his Permaculture Design Certificate under Steven Brooks and Penny Livingston.
His notable work includes helping lead the 2020-2025 restoration and reopening of the historic Record Plant Recording Studios in Sausalito Ca., a cultural landmark and one of the premier recording studios in America. He is currently developing a 40-acre regenerative demonstration farm in Grass Valley focused on fire-resilient design, ecological restoration, sustainable homesteading, and permaculture education.
My Approach
I believe every person is a visionary, and every project begins by uncovering that vision. My role is to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and transform ideas into places that are both beautiful and deeply personal. Design-build is more than construction—it is the art of creating timeless, functional spaces that enrich everyday life. Every decision is guided by thoughtful stewardship of time, materials, budget, and the environment, balancing personal expression with regional character, long-term resilience, and harmony with nature.
My work brings together old-world craftsmanship, modern engineering, regenerative design, and critical thinking to create spaces that feel as though they have always belonged. I believe construction should be quiet, collaborative, and enjoyable, replacing uncertainty with confidence while honoring the people, the land, and the future generations who will inherit what we build. In a world increasingly defined by waste and disposable thinking, my goal is to create enduring places of meaning—legacy pieces that inspire connection, tell a story, and become more valuable with time.

