PLUM is a small San Francisco-based architecture firm founded in 2004 well versed in educational, residential, historical, community and commercial programs. In pursuit of excellence PLUM approaches design by fostering a collaborative relationship with clients that is focused on the development of direct and buildable projects.
We focus our investigations on the spe-cifics of a site, the budget and schedule, and the client's objectives. Our goal is to reveal a project's singular nature and discover through design an identity that is individual and memorable. Our practice is purposeful; rooted in our passion for design, our proactive communication methods and our negotiating skills which carries through from sketch to finish nail.
Justine Hewitt has over twenty years of experience in architectural design and project management. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture at the New School of Architecture in San Diego. Her work has encompassed a broad range of building types including public schools, residential, hospi-tality, civic, and commercial projects and includes numerous publicly funded jobs.
We focus our investigations on the spe-cifics of a site, the budget and schedule, and the client's objectives. Our goal is to reveal a project's singular nature and discover through design an identity that is individual and memorable. Our practice is purposeful; rooted in our passion for design, our proactive communication methods and our negotiating skills which carries through from sketch to finish nail.
Justine Hewitt has over twenty years of experience in architectural design and project management. She earned her Bachelor of Architecture at the New School of Architecture in San Diego. Her work has encompassed a broad range of building types including public schools, residential, hospi-tality, civic, and commercial projects and includes numerous publicly funded jobs.
Services
Modernizing this 1952 three story concrete cantilevered building designed by the accomplished architect Mario Ciampi was a pleasure. We performed comprehensive voluntary longitudinal structural enhancements, accessibility and fire and life safety and aesthetic upgrades including new elevator tower and windows throughout this 39,319 sf building.
This 1908 earthquake cottage suffered the ravages of addition. Over time, more than a dozen walls were added to create seven additional rooms in a 1360sf house. Many of these walls and mazelike ramps were removed to provide light throughout the house. Removal of sheet vinyl floor revealed inlaid oak flooring and windows were found after being incased in walls for decades.
A new 2,000 sf circular library is a welcoming nest in the middle of a large open plaza, enlivening a lonely space with new planting, benches and whimsical text stenciled on the site. The cedar wood wrapping shades the building and warms the large asphalt play area. The interior of the library uses birch plywood wall panels, and exposed glulam beams to create a tempting haven.
This Career Technical Facility is a new, freestanding 2500 sf shop building. This building is meant to serve as a prototype for SFUSD's Tech21 program, which reintroduces technical education to the curriculum. The design accentuates the flexible, with an open teaching space, retractable overhead power reels, and an enclosed outdoor work area.
An urban school site for more than a century, this 60 child preschool was converted into a middle school for 230 students in response to community outreach and feedback. The site is located in the emerging residential community of South of Market in San Francisco and now, with the addition of the middle school, the community is provided with comprehensive K-8 facilities.
Reviews (6)
Trecia K.
Jun 11, 2021
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My husband and I have worked with Roberta at Plum Architects on several projects and due to her fabulous work have referred her out to numerous clients and friends.
Roberta has assisted us with building a 4000 sq ft home in Sonoma, an extensive remodel on a 1750 sq ft home as well as a deck in San Francisco that was complicated. She is a great listener helping us get what we wanted with in our budget.
She is creative to give ideas that made what we wanted even better than expected, has a very strong work ethic, honest and trustworthy.
She has a great sense of how to get plans approved in
Roberta has assisted us with building a 4000 sq ft home in Sonoma, an extensive remodel on a 1750 sq ft home as well as a deck in San Francisco that was complicated. She is a great listener helping us get what we wanted with in our budget.
She is creative to give ideas that made what we wanted even better than expected, has a very strong work ethic, honest and trustworthy.
She has a great sense of how to get plans approved in
Elizabeth M.
Feb 01, 2017
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We had a tricky remodel to our duplex in Oakland, turning our attic into a full suite, remodeling the kitchen and living room, and retrofitting the entire house (all 3.5 floors). We needed it done well, and we needed it done fast. Once things were rolling, Plum really came through for us. In particular, Roberta Wahl is great: she is knowledgeable, practical, and effective. She was remarkably quick to respond to questions, and good about clear communication and loop-closing. When contacted about contractors pushing us around, she really got in there, went to bat for us, and made things right. She
Annabelle P.
Jan 10, 2017
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I worked with Roberta at Plum Architects on an ambitious project - an extensive remodel and adding a 4th floor to a 3 apartment Victorian building. This was a challenging project as our budget was limited, our timeline was tight, I had high expectations, and there were many planning hurdles to overcome.
I interviewed around a dozen architects before settling on Roberta Wahl, and I am so glad I did my research and found her.
What initially impressed me most about Roberta, was her clear understanding of what we needed to do in order to get our plans efficiently approved by the city (something
I interviewed around a dozen architects before settling on Roberta Wahl, and I am so glad I did my research and found her.
What initially impressed me most about Roberta, was her clear understanding of what we needed to do in order to get our plans efficiently approved by the city (something
John D.
Jan 06, 2017
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I have worked with Roberta and Rebecca at Plum Architects on two project and I have been very impressed by the design acumen demonstrated and the final product delivered. Both Roberta and Rebecca were very hands on during design and construction, and although one of the project went long due to contractor issues, Plum continued to work with the project team to push the contractor to complete the work to a quality that was expected. I would highly recommend Plum Architects to provide design services.
Brigitte A.
Jan 05, 2017
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Mike W.
Oct 04, 2016
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