The only thing cooler than their truly energizing and creative space is their work ethic and commitment to high quality professional standards delivered with the level of stellar customer service that just doesn't exist in America anymore!

Harold Patrick Executive Director Progressive Affordable Development, PAD

Headquartered in Oakland, Plenum Architecture serves the SF Bay Area. We are passionate and work effectively to serve the needs (safety, health and beauty) of our community in historically excluded areas. We do this by providing:

affordable, comprehensive project planning design & permitting services construction support

We work across scales from small backyard ADUs to large multi-family/ civic projects and can help with strategic planning.

All our services are organized across two categories:

sparking imaginations | realizing dreams

  • $425/ hr. per site visit

    During this time, we look at your site's unique conditions, help define your project and take preliminary measurements and photos.

  • $1,900 - $3,000 depending on the depth of discovery needed/ desired

    The perfect place to start!

    We will help you clarify your scope of work, establish a budget, outlay the design and permitting processes, identify the entire team, and establish the pre-construction/ construction cost of your unique project.

  • Price based on the effort required

    More project requires more planning ...

    For 5,000 SF+ residential clients, developers, and government agencies,

    Plenum will collaborate with our expert consultant team and local jurisdictions to help determine the feasibility of your development project.

* This is not a design consultation. Minimal planning included for pricing.

**See "Discovery" below for more detailed information.

  • Price based on the effort required

    You're ready and we're here to help!

    A Discovery Package or Feasibility Study may be a precursor to your project OR depending on your need, a discovery phase could be a part of your overall project.

    Either way, this is where together, we get shit done, permitted and constructed.

  • Rates vary based on the expertise requested/ needed

    A penny for our thoughts ...

    Need advice? Help with visualization? Need to fill gaps on your team temporarily? Hire for a specific skill or project phase? At Plenum, we can help you.

  • Based on the HERS Program, this is a way to ensure that the various features of your home meet the California Energy Code.

    This includes inspecting and interacting with the home's HVAC equipment, air ducts & vents, thermostat and the electrical panel.

Bridget and Omar went above and beyond in clarifying their services, outlining the steps a business owner like me should take to secure a physical location in the future, and answering my many architecture-related questions.

As someone who is a novice in their field, their guidance made me feel secure, at ease, and supported."

Danielle Andrea Chef & Founder Vegan Chula

Plenum leans on current industry resources, 35 years of experience, and a strong network to compile all the information you need to plan your project.

You will walk away with a Discovery Package packet specifically tailored to your project that will be indispensable as you move forward, or even help you decide not to move your project forward, which could be priceless.

the perfect place to start!

We will help you clarify your scope of work, establish a budget, outlay the design and permitting processes, identify the pre-construction/ construction team, and establish the total cost of your unique project.

  • Up to $1,900 depending on the project.

    Our entry-level discovery package is a great place for anyone to start, especially if you have never completed a construction project before.

    We will provide you with the following:

    • Conduct a Site Visit where we will understand your needs/ wants and define your scope of work (SOW). We may take some overall measurements and photos at this time or carry out an Energy Audit.*

    • Prepare a Planning and Zoning Summary that describes the development potential of your property.

    • Provide your Path to Planning Dept. Approval based on the SOW we defined during our site visit. We will outline the process needed and provide an anticipated schedule.

    • lx Virtual check-in

    • After our check-in, we will provide your Pathway to a Building Permit which will include the process outlined and anticipated schedule, as well as the projected jurisdictional/ City fees associated with your SOW.

    • Provide a rough order of magnitude (ROM) for the Architectural services needed to complete your project based on the information above.

    • Provide a list of the other pre-design consultants needed to complete your project.

    • Provide Discovery Package packet deliverable and 1x call to review.

  • Up to $2,500

    This package builds on Tier l and helps to understand the full cost of your project leading up to Construction. We will provide you with the following:

    • Plenum will work with you to create a budget that considers the real estate value of your property.

    • Plenum will share your project with expert consultants/ engineers who will be needed to complete your project. Each of these will provide a ROM for professional services. Other assessment services may be carried out to understand the impact of design on structure and other building features.

    • Plenum will also back-check assumptions/ schedules with consultants and make refinements to your Discovery Package packet if needed at this time.

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  • Up to $3,000

    This package builds on Tier 2 and is helpful to understand the full cost of your project, including all construction costs.

    • Plenum will share your project with trusted and appropriate contractors. They will provide a construction estimate and estimated construction schedule based on your scope of work.

    • Where possible, General Contractors will provide additional comments to help you complete your project, which may include phasing the work, planning around weather, etc.