About Kenwood Permaculture

Kenwood Permaculture began with the completion of construction on Mark’s home in 2004. It is a work in progress. We are engaged in a process of continuing development and evolution of our 21st century homestead.

We used the permaculture design philosophy as a major design paradigm. Some of the sustainable features of our house include: passive solar design, solar pv, solar hot water, rain harvesting and storage, water filtration and purification, green roofs, geothermal heating system, non-toxic stains and finishes, Smart House automation, edible landscapes, organic gardening, native habitat and restoration, and more.

Mark Feichtmeir

Mark grew up in an entrepreneurial design and construction family in Walnut Creek, CA in the fifties and sixties. His father designed, built, and managed apartment communities. In the late sixties, his parents decided the family needed to broaden its horizons so they joined the Peace Corps. They headed off to Afghanistan for two years where Mark's father was administrative director. Mark graduated high school there, then went on to Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. After graduating with a BA in Music, he moved to New York City for ten years where he studied jazz guitar. In the early eighties, he moved to the northwest and worked in the lumber industry for a number of years. He ultimately returned to the SF Bay Area in 1989. In 1991, he joined the family property management business and continues to this day.

In 2000, the opportunity arose to design and build a 21st century homestead in Northern California. During the course of his research, Mark earned a Permaculture Design certificate. He is an avid reader. Since 2000, he has read over 90 books on subjects pertaining to sustainable building and design, energy and ecology, global politics and culture, landscape and gardening, and food and food politics.

He joined Toastmasters in 2005. He quickly earned his Competent Toastmaster certification and has served multiple officer positions at his local club. His wide-ranging interests include sustainable building and design, public speaking, permaculture, Slow Food and the Weston A Price Foundation, technology, smart house automation, travel, and long-term health.