--- title: "Medium Plenty — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/medium-plenty-pfvwus-pf~847317726 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~847317726.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Medium Plenty" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a3e321830ea88b5e_0918-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "1729 Telegraph Avenue, Third Floor, Oakland, California 94612, United States" latitude: 37.8085 longitude: -122.2668 phone: "(415) 658-5249" website: http://mediumplenty.com rating: 4.5 review_count: 8 followers: 91 last_updated: 2026-09-11 --- # Medium Plenty Original Houzz profile: [Medium Plenty](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/medium-plenty-pfvwus-pf~847317726) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Oakland, CA - **Houzz rating:** 4.5 out of 5 (8 reviews) ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Medium Plenty is a design practice focused on producing thoughtful work. Our projects fall into a number of design categories including architecture, interiors, environments, furniture and usually a combination of several. Our goal is always to address the desires, needs and budget of our clients. We see each project as an opportunity to create something unique that evolves from discoveries made through an insightful and collaborative design process. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Medium Plenty | | Address | 1729 Telegraph Avenue, Third Floor, Oakland, California 94612, United States | | Phone | (415) 658-5249 | | Website | http://mediumplenty.com | | Followers on Houzz | 91 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Medium Plenty](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/medium-plenty-pfvwus-pf~847317726) - **Website:** http://mediumplenty.com - **Phone:** (415) 658-5249 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Licensed Architect (CA, PA, WA), LEED AP ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 — 8 reviews** ### All 8 reviews **★★★★★ — joameiyi, Sept. 2016** > Excellent architectural and design services provided by the entire staff at Medium Plenty for the complete remodel of our midcentury modern home in the Berkeley hills. From their keen attention to detail and tasteful, informed recommendations on all aspects of our home through to execution, Medium Plenty was a pleasure to work with. We are so happy with the results. **★★★★★ — bananaevans, Aug. 2016** > I worked with Ian from Medium Plenty to design and build out a deck and stairs to give access to our backyard on our Victorian. They were great to work with, helped tremendously in navigating the process front start to finish. I highly recommend Medium Plenty and plan to use them for an upcoming project. **★★★★★ — erfox1, Aug. 2016** > We enjoyed working with Ian and team on plans to fully remodel of our Mid Century Modern home in Lafayette. Ian and his team always listen to our ideas closely and then make very thoughtful suggestions that demonstrate they understand the way we want to use our space. Their entire approach is grounded in environmentally sensitive solutions; we've worked with Ian and team heavily on overall interior design and exterior upgrades to make our home a home. Ian and team value collaboration and will work with your budget to lead you through the design/build process. We are extremely happy with our Lafayette remodel and could not have done it without this amazing team. **★★★★★ — dlwiegel, Aug. 2016** > We worked with Ian Read/Medium Plenty on two projects- a new garden studio and then a full remodel of our 100 year old home. Ian has a clean, modern design aesthetic, knows how to keep a project on time and on budget and is a collaborative and creative professional who is just flat out a pleasure to work with. **★★★★★ — Concreteworks Studio, Aug. 2016** > Medium Plenty has been on our list of recommend Architects for the past decade. We have collaborated with Ian and Gretchen on many iconic projects around the Bay Area. They are professional, creative and excellent architects > > We have worked with them extensively on their residential and commercial project around the Bay Area. We also hired them for our own projects. They worked on our new offices at our new facility in Alameda as well as on our own homes in various parts of the Bay Area. They are by far our most trusted resource and we highly recommend them to any of our clients looking for Architects. **★★★★★ — brendan2368, Aug. 2016** > Medium Plenty were amazingly helpful with the redesign of my commercial bar. Even on a very tight budget they were able to provide great structural design work and their recommendations for interior design, colors and decoration were spot-on. They were also able to connect me with a great GC. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to complete a commercial or residential project. **★★★★★ — zackary canepari, Aug. 2016** > Medium Plenty designed and oversaw a large renovation to my houseboat and if you saw my houseboat now, you'd give them 5 stars too. Good value. On time. Easy to work with. Creative. I'd give them 10 stars if that were an option. **★ — rich407, Jan. 2016** > One star only because no stars was not an option. > > Failed to disclose key information about exclusive relationship with contractor. > > Billed for "design work" and failed to provide work product. Became indignant when informed that payment was not going to made for work not provided. ## Selected projects - [Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beach-house-pj-vj~6549838) - Location: Half Moon Bay, CA - Photos: 12 - [Houseboat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/houseboat-pj-vj~2004190) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - Description: “Less House, More Boat!” An adventurous client and tiny budget combine to create inventive awesomeness out of claustrophobic floating shoebox. Multiple layers of interior walls removed to open up 360° view of the harbor. Plywood wraps create unifying horizon lines. Handmade woodwork revealed, crappy fixtures replaced by raw brass custom lights & hunted-down vintage plumbing. Blown-glass portholes project rolling light off the water onto floors & ceiling. Super deep denim window seats & pivoting… - [1321](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/1321-pj-vj~2004146) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 - Description: A modern addition to a traditional bungalow. The goal was to add space and create a clear break between the existing and new structures. The cube floats off of the rear of the house and cantilevers toward the yard, creating a covered outdoor living space. On the interior there is a mix of very modern detailing with some nods to the original style of the house. The owners have great taste and were very involved, much to the benefit of the final project. - [Rockridge House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rockridge-house-pj-vj~2004121) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 16 - Description: Complete renovation of a two-story 1915 bungalow on the historic registry. We re-imagined the interior of the house with our interpretation of classic modernist detail, emphasizing warmth of material, natural light, spaciousness and an easy flow through the spaces. The exterior was subtly updated to respect the structure's historic significance. - [Margarido House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/margarido-house-pj-vj~396744) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Cow Hollow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cow-hollow-pj-vj~375892) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Method](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/method-pj-vj~375886) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [Colby Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/colby-residence-pj-vj~125524) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 15 [See all 8 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/medium-plenty-pfvwus-pf~847317726) ## Ideabooks - [Powell: Roof Stairs](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44814948/list/powell-roof-stairs) — 7 ideas - [Hillcrest: Lighting (PENDANTS/OTHER)](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/20754695/list/hillcrest-lighting-pendants-other) — 26 ideas - [Hillcrest: furniture](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21026209/list/hillcrest-furniture) — 2 ideas - [Hillcrest: Lighting (GLOBES)](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21024597/list/hillcrest-lighting-globes) — 15 ideas - [Hillcrest: kids bath](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21024952/list/hillcrest-kids-bath) — 6 ideas - [Moss Glazier](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/7265674/list/moss-glazier) — 8 ideas - [71st Street](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5638159/list/71st-street) — 9 ideas - [Powell](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4770371/list/powell) — 26 ideas - [Zuklie](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/918217/list/zuklie) — 6 ideas - [Hoover\_Lower Floor](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/830949/list/hoover-lower-floor) — 1 idea [See all 10 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/mp-read) ## Community Q&A **Q: Love the tile, where is it from?** *(in Photo Questions)* This kitchen is beautiful! Am in the Bay Area, and wondered if this tile was found someplace local or a design make by your firm? Thanks so much. A: The tile is from Heath Ceramics in SF and Sausalito.....it is from their overstock so was quite affordable. **Q: whats the finish on the stair risers?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hi Joe, the risers are actually just painted. We kept the existing stair and just cleaner up the treads. The kicks were painted gray to tie them into a long dark gray runner. Color: BM Pewter **Q: What wood material are the cabinets and floor? Who built the cabinets?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Hello, the cabinets are a white lacquer finish and white oak for the wood grain. The cabinets were made by a local cabinet maker (Lignum Vitae in Oakland, CA) The flooring is a European white oak with a whitewashed finish (Engineered Castillian Oak Sandstone) **Q: Cabinet hardware?** *(in Photo Questions)* What brand cabinet pulls are these and do you find them to be functional even on larger cabinets and heavy filled drawers? A: The cabinet pulls are from Sugatsune (the SN Series) of varying lengths. They operate very well even when heavily loaded as we used high quality drawer slides (from Blum). **Q: Cabinet pulls?** *(in Photo Questions)* What brand cabinet pulls are these and do you find them to be functional even on larger cabinets and heavy filled drawers? A: The cabinet pulls are from Sugatsune (the SN Series) of varying lengths. They operate very well even when heavily loaded as we used high quality drawer slides (from Blum). --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-11.*