Gretchen Stranzl McCann
President/Principal Landscape Architect
gretchen@gsmlainc.com
With a childhood passion for exploring nature and a love of art, science & math, Gretchen Stranzl McCann went on to study landscape architecture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She has over 25 years of experience designing meaningful, engaging outdoor spaces.
Gretchen holds CLARB certification and is licensed in California and other western states. Her career began with a focus on resort, hospitality, healthcare, residential and recreation projects with small, industrious firms in Palm Springs & Marin County. Following her lifelong passion for the design of public spaces, Gretchen was the City of Fairfield’s Park Planner from 1988-1997.
Gretchen founded GSM landscape architects, inc. in 1997 and maintains a deep commitment to being involved in all of the firm’s projects from initial design through construction. She demonstrates a keen ability to work with a broad cross-section of clients, is able to reach consensus with diverse groups and to resolve issues and concerns through creative and practical design solutions.
GSM landscape architects, inc. is proud to be a registered Bay Area Green Business. Gretchen is proactive in challenging herself and incorporates sustainability into each of the firm’s projects. She is certified in Green Building, a LEED Accredited Professional, a Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Practitioner and Developer, provides expert project review and assisted in writing California’s State section of the Landscape Architects Registration Exam. Her work has been published in numerous newspapers, magazines and books. She has conducted several water wise workshops, co-authored the City of Napa’s Water Efficient Landscape Guidelines and serves on the Napa County’s Resource Conservation District Board of Directors.
Gretchen takes great pleasure in working with others on pro bono landscape architectural projects throughout her community.