A Model for Community & Ecological Renewal
PINE GULCH COMMONS
Nik Bertulis is a teacher, regenerative designer and co-founder of PLACE eco-village in Oakland. He has helped water system masterplan several villages including Berkeley Co-housing and the Canticle Farm Community in Oakland.
Who we are
We are permaculture-certified instructors who have been creating community and engaging in nature-based education for over 20 years. It feels like divine forces brought us together to create Pine Gulch Commons, a place where our passion for stewarding land, water and community can become a reality.
Shan Masuda has been practicing as the principal designer at Shan Design for the past 8 years. A firm believer in the primal qualities of space and material, he views architecture as the practice of shaping our cultural ecology. Architecture supports our relationship with one another and our greater environment. The materials, forms, spaces, creative processes and patterns of use for a “project” are all anchored, ideally, by their simple essence. His work reflects a sensitive dialogue between these elements, a project’s context and, most importantly, the client’s needs.
Nikki Gunn Rodenbeck coordinates development efforts for Pine Gulch Commons, researching cooperative housing funding models, supporting investors with real estate insight, and helping communicate the project’s vision. With a background in marketing strategy, creative problem-solving, and real estate, she brings an integrated, empathic approach to collaborative development. Her work centers on building systems, relationships, and stories that move projects forward with clarity and purpose.
Daniel Goldberg is a winemaker, foraging guide, and community organizer. He founded Feral Ecology, a project that connects people to ancestral food practices through forays, workshops, and retreats. His relational and hands-on teaching approach centers accessibility and healing, fostering a culture grounded in land knowledge, care, and joy.
Naomi Eve brings years of experience in outdoor education and place-based learning, and she is honored to help steward a multi-species playground for creativity, curiosity, nourishment, and regeneration across generations.