PROFILE
Designing and constructing landscapes, creating aesthetically pleasing spaces that are sustainable for commercial, retail and private sectors.
For well over 40 years GBI Landscape Consultants, under the leadership of Gary Bartsch, have developed award winning landscape designs incorporating traditional design practice with the unique knowledge gained from working in all manner of environments from tropical to arid, within various locations throughout Africa and the UAE. Our experience in these changing environments allows our team to analyze the project’s complexities and manage projects effectively.
Our background in landscape architecture encompassing residential, commercial,retail campuses and environmental projects increases our ability to assess project delivery and address any challenges that may arise. Working closely with clients and architects combined with the effective management of numerous and diverse consultants, GBI delivers landscapes of the highest caliber.
With the combined interests and experience of our staff we create ambitious, unique projects that unite the human spirit with that of Mother Nature, creating beauty in even the most unlikely places.
Gary Bartsch
Gary Bartsch established his brand in 1973 after the successful implementation of South Africa’s first Marina Project (Marina da Gama) for the Anglo American Corporation. He has successfully developed retail nurseries in Cape Town and operated a local landscape design and implementation company.
“We create environments of growing value” – Gary Bartsch
His focus has always been on designing spaces, with the foresight of how people will interact with the environment within certain space. The scope of projects that Gary has worked on is expansive ranging from the design of small residential gardens to the design and rehabilitation of parks and national heritage sites, with a particular emphasis on corporate headquarters, retail centers and plazas, as well as cultural gardens.
Gary is an honorary life member of SALI and has collected various SALI awards over the years; he has been presented with the Mayor’s awards for the greening of the Cape Town area and had the privilege to work on the landscape of former president Nelson Mandela’s private gardens.
“Planting a tree is an act of faith in the future of the country” - Gary to Nelson Mandela
Erwin Bartsch
Erwin Bartsch grew up amongst plants and landscaping with the majority of his formative years focused around the industry. After completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Sciences at University of Cape Town in 1997, he spent 10 years in the USA gaining work experience. He did a vast amount of work in the architectural industry before joining GBI on projects in the UAE and Africa.
“Sustainability is to plan responsibly for environment that is beyond our years.”
– Erwin Bartsch
His focus on sustainability and the integration of GBC and LEED into future projects has allowed him to create his own name in the landscaping design world. Erwin is the first person in Africa to hold a GRP accreditation. This was awarded to him by the Healthy Cities Organisation which specialise in the integration of Green Roofs and Walls into building practices.
Erwin has been the face of GBI for numerous commercial retail projects in developing countries in Africa, his passion and respect for people and creating a sustainable environmental impact can be seen in the quality and execution of the designs that he has implemented.
“Details, details, details…. This is what defines a line from a smudge. In all aspects there are times when a smudge conveys the direction and concept – but the details allow others to see your precise vision.” – Erwin Bartsch
GBI is proud to be affiliated with the following organisations – which are echoed by the company’s ethos: We create sustainable environments of growing value.
South African Landscapers Institute – Honorary Life Member
The South African Landscapers Institute (SALI) was formed in 1984 by a group of progressive landscapers who saw the potential of the landscape industry in South Africa. They believed that the true potential could only be realised if landscape contractors showed unity, produced excellent work and projected a professional image. Members of this institute adhere to a certain code of ethics backed up by a statutory code of conduct by the National body which is represented in the Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng. SALI members attend regular meetings and annual conferences to ensure that their companies and staff remain updated with the latest developments in the landscaping industry.
Having been one of its founding members and the chairman of the SALI-Cape Chapter for many years, as well as receiving many awards and citations for his pioneering achievements in the industry since 1985, Gary Bartsch of GBI received his honorary life membership in 2000.
Green Building Council South Africa
The Green Building Council SA is a level 3 BEE rated, independent, non-profit company formed in 2007 to lead the greening of South Africa’s commercial property sector. They provide tools, training, knowledge and networks to promote green building practices across South Africa building a national movement to change the way buildings are built.
GBCSA is one of over 95 members of the World Green Building Council alongside Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. The Green Building Council of South Africa has developed the Green Star rating system and is the official certification body for Green Star SA projects. The association is run by a dedicated team of industry experts working in collaboration with industry bodies, leaders, government departments and professionals to develop market-based green solutions for the South African property industry. Their mission is to promote, encourage and facilitate green building in the South African property and construction industry through market-based solutions.
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a North American based non profit industry association. Their goal is to promote and develop the market by increasing the awareness of economic, social and environmental benefits of green roofs, green walls, and other forms of living architecture. They are succeeding reaching their goals through education, advocacy, professional development and celebrations of excellence. GRHC highlight the many values and tangible benefits of green roofs and walls to public and private areas. To realise their full potential, they are striving to facilitate changes that will bring these technologies to the forefront of high performance restorative green building design, implementation and maintenance.
Institute of Landscape Architects of South Africa
The Institute for Landscape Architecture in South Africa (ILASA) is a voluntary organisation registered with the South African Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession. ILASA comprises of three regional bodies with offices in the Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng that represent members countrywide.
Their Mission is to advance the profession of landscape architecture and represent the profession of landscape architecture in any matter which may affect the interests of the members of the Institute.
Their Objectives include but are not limited to the promotion, recognition, acceptance and understanding of the profession of landscape architecture both nationally and internationally. They ensure that its members maintain high standards of conduct, professional competency and integrity by governing the application of knowledge, expertise and skills to socially uplift previously disadvantaged societies. They assist in individual education to ensure levels of professional competence and they support the execution of sound, sustainable ecological planning and management to contribute to the conservation of natural resources.
ILASA represent, acknowledge and promote the profession of landscape architecture to gain visibility of the profession at national government level and within the South African society in terms of the professional role in effecting the aesthetic improvement, planning ecologically sustainable landscapes and for integrating society’s needs for the benefit of the environment at large.
Institute of Environment and Recreation Management
The Institute of Environment and Recreation Management (IERM) was established in 1936 to allow municipal managers responsible for the management of public parks, open space and recreation facilities to interact with each other. IERM is a non-profit, common-law association owned and controlled by the municipalities who are its members.
The institute strives to provide networking opportunities, assistance in the lobbying of government, politicians, industry and stakeholders. The IERM take an active leadership role in the industry influencing, facilitating and promoting the training and development of individual members as well as creating and maintaining international alliances.
The institute aims to be the leading public sector organisation promoting sustainable and integrated environmental and recreation management practices in South Africa. They are approximately 1000 members strong of which 100 are local municipalities.
The membership of the IERM consists of managers responsible for management processes involving cemeteries and crematoria, public parks, environmental management & planning, nature conservation, community recreation & recreation facilities as well as urban greening and arboriculture including urban agriculture.
Regular branch meetings, congresses, seminars and advocacy work for the industry, offer members exposure and access to creative thinking in an integrated and sustainable method of environmental and recreation management.
International Association for Impact Assessment
The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) was organized in 1980 to bring together researchers, practitioners, and users of various types of impact assessment from all parts of the world. The unique feature of IAIA, is the mix of professions represented, in so providing members with opportunities to advance the state of the art and science of impact assessment in applications ranging both locally and globally.
To develop international and local capability to anticipate, plan and manage the consequences of development while enhancing the quality of life for all.
IAIA therefore involves people from many disciplines and professions, including corporate planners and managers, public interest advocates, government planners and administrators, private consultants and policy analysts, university and college teachers and their students. IAIA members now number more than 2,500 and represent more than 120 countries.
The primary objective of IAIAsa is to create a “home” for those people who wish to exchange information on, or learn more about, impact assessment. South Africa has received international acclaim for its Integrated Environmental Management procedure and for the high quality Environmental Impact Assessments undertaken in our country.
The IAIA South African affiliate (or IAIAsa) functions as a voluntary organisation representing the interests of environmental practitioners and allied professions. There are well over 1000 members in South Africa and the neighbouring SADC countries, organised around nine regional branches with an annual conference over and above regular branch meetings.
International Institute of Plant Propagators Association
The International Plant Propagators’ Society (IPPS) is an association of plant production professionals whose mission it is to advance the art and science of growing plants. From its inception in 1951 when a group of about 70 plant propagators met in Cleveland, Ohio, the IPPS has grown to well over 2,100 members worldwide spanning over eight geographic regions around the world.
The Association is a forum whereby information, knowledge, resources and skills are shared throughout the global plant production community. Membership includes those with an interest in ornamental horticulture, vegetable and fruit plant production, floriculture, silviculture, plantation crop production, amenity horticulture, and all other fields related to the production of plants for public use.