By Nigel F. Maynard
Project: Parker Residence / Location: California / Architect: Medium Plenty / Location: Oakland and Sonoma, Calif. / Interior Design: Regan Baker Design / Landscape: Terremoto / Photography: Laure Joliet Photography
The owners of this modest Spanish Revival home in the Bay Area of California, wanted to undertake a dramatic renovation, so they called on Medium Plenty, a boutique architecture and interior design practice.
Based in Oakland and Sonoma, Calif., Medium Plenty has built a reputation for sophisticated, integrated design mixed with modern aesthetics. The firm, Gretchen Krebs and Ian Read, was clearly up to task.
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The Parker Residence proved an ambitious project. It involved the complete renovation and addition of the property, resulting in a sustainable home that reflects the owners’ unique way of living.
It “was designed with the goal of fulfilling the programmatic goals of the owners, while maintaining a quiet street presence,” the firm says. “To achieve this, the home was essentially rebuilt from within, with excavation to create a new lower level, expansion of all floors and the addition of a roof deck. Notably, the new rear facade creates a bold statement as it faces the private backyard and terraced gardens designed by Terremoto.”
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Throughout the project, Medium Plenty focused on balancing traditional and modern styles, spatial needs and the project site. One of the most notable features of the project is the central staircase, which acts as both the centerpiece and spine of the residence. A three-story, continuous ribbon window accentuates the staircase verticality and provides continuous natural light. The result is a sculptural feature that is a dramatic focal point for the interior.
The exterior of the home consists mainly of integral color stucco, painted steel and stone. The interiors showcase a variety of vignettes that utilize a similar palette of wood or stone floors, blackened steel elements and painted walls. The result is a home that is visually eclectic but also cohesive.
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Beyond harmonizing the aesthetics, Medium Plenty incorporated state-of-the-art technology and sustainable design elements to update the home for both current and future climate needs. Features include upgraded envelope insulation and air sealing, high-performance windows and doors, an HRV system, radiant heat with a solar thermal preheat, a Solar PV system, rainwater reclamation and high efficiency lighting throughout. Overall, the project signifies a seamless, collaborative process between the design team and the ambitious homeowners.
