des Plantes and Associates

18 Reviews

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About Us

4x Best of Houzz winner

References available

30 years in business

Central Coast Architect Specializing in Custom Homes
3X Best of Houzz!

Owner and sole proprietor, Marcus Ziedses des Plantes, received his Bachelor of Architecture and Environmental Design in 1980 from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He was licensed to practice Architecture in 1985 in California. Now with over 30 years of experience, he brings a vast and varied experience level to his design focused practice. Years ago, Marcus realized that Architecture and Planning cannot be separated. It is so important to thoroughly understand the goals, the needs, the context and history of a community in order to integrate one of the essential design parameters of any architectural solution. This strong "sense of place" has been an integral founding hallmark of his work and why his projects have been widely recognized for their design excellence. As a small, high-level design focused architectural firm, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and consistent communication with our clients and community. Our goal is to create places that are special, timeless and enjoyable for those who use and are affected by them, while being sustainable and maintaining a sense of place. We are committed to making your dream home a reality or giving your current home that little face-lift to better serve your needs-give us a call today, we'd love to hear from you!

Services Provided

3D Rendering, Architectural Design, Architectural Drawings, Basement Design, Bathroom Design, Building Design, Custom Homes, Deck Design, Drafting, Energy-Efficient Homes, Floor Plans, Garage Design, Green Building, Handicap-Accessible Design, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Home Remodeling, House Plans, Kitchen Design, Laundry Room Design, Mudroom Design, Multigenerational Homes, Pool House Design & Construction, Space Planning, Staircase Design, Sustainable Design, Universal Design

Areas Served

Atascadero, Avila Beach, Cayucos, Los Osos, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Carmel, Monterey, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Santa Ynez, Templeton

Awards

National Council of Architectural Registration BoardRecent Project Articles: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2015/02/11/3485204/the-kiser-dyke-home-in-huasna.html

8 Projects

Business Details

Business Name

des Plantes and Associates

Phone Number

+1 805-210-8492

Address

1308 4th Street
Los Osos, CA 93402

Licence Number

C15715

Followers

75 Followers

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Credentials

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Featured Review

supersan2000

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18 Reviews for des Plantes and Associates

Newest first

5.0|18 reviews

Work Quality

5.0

Communication

5.0

Value

5.0

Priscilla McGee

Got an amazing remodel that had a lot of constraints to work around. Some super creative ways to manage what could have been a 'problem'. Very pleasant to work with. Would definitely recommend.

18 January, 2024

HU-709241117

We hired des Plantes and Associates to help us plan and design a bedroom addition to our home. We experienced a cordial and cooperative process of discussion and sharing of our ideas, mixed with the expertise of Marcus des Plantes. We appreciate how he worked past the planning and actually through the building process with us. This was vital for us, as the complexities which arose required his assistance and guidance. We are grateful also for his recommendation of contractor, who did a commendable job. We are so pleased with our new addition. Thank you!

21 January, 2019

Comment from des Plantes and Associates:

To my San Luis Obispo Client,
I want to thank you for such a kind review. The project started with just adding a master closet to the your current master bedroom. Through our team approach, we were able to meet that need and at the same time create a larger. more light filled bedroom, provide a place for contemplation and give you a hobby working area. It was a pleasure working with you folks.

Park Street Gallery

Marcus was great to work with! He listened to our ideas, and had some great ones of his own which really made our project turn out even better! Our plans were completed in a timely manner, with very few corrections necessary. Our space looks beautiful!

9 September, 2017

Comment from des Plantes and Associates:

The gallery project turned out super. The architecture became the foundation for the real art of the many notable artists that are featured in this gallery. A truly beautiful space.

Penny Fiser

Marcus did a great job designing and managing the extension of our balcony and outdoor staircase. This was not an easy task because we were not allowed to increase the "footprint " of your house, so quite a bit of engineering was required. He also gave us great advice about the type of railing to use to maximize the ocean view and also look aesthetically pleasing. He met with the engineers, city planners, and construction crew which was a blessing because we live 150 miles away and could not have done this without him! Highly recommend Marcus des Plantes

16 August, 2017

supersan2000

Marcus was a pleasure to work with- professional, creative, personable, and talented. He created a beautiful design for our addition (home office, playroom, and laundry room). He was patient and listened to what we wanted and offered his expertise and experience to help us build a beautiful addition within our price point that was so much more than we could have dreamed of. He really went above and beyond including helping us find and interview our contractor. I highly recommend him for any of your architectural needs. He will not disappoint.

15 August, 2017

Comment from des Plantes and Associates:

Matt and Sandy,
It was a true pleasure to work with the two of you. It is always a pleasure to work with clients that are open to new ideas. Best of luck with your new adventure.
M

phylborba

My husband and I hired Marcus Ziedses to review our house plans. He was so helpful and great to work with. His ideas and knowledge made it easy to understand our various options. We will use him again when needed.

2 May, 2016

Comment from des Plantes and Associates:

Phyllis,
There are not many opportunities for one architect to review another clients hired design professional. In this case, the process was especially successful. Goodwin Design was very receptive to my comments and and in the end, your project solution was better for it and helped pave the way for an approval at the Planning Commission. I especially enjoyed working with you. Good luck in the future on your home construction... i am excited to see it come out of the ground.

Roxanne Carr

Marcus has been a superb architect for the remodel of my home in Shell Beach. He designed a total new look where all the walls came down between my kitchen, living room, dining room and den, and I now walk in and immediately see the ocean from every window. He also designed a great ceiling effect, which he called the cloud, with all kinds of fun lights running through it - it's a work of art (and all I asked for was a soffit to help with the low ceiling). He is great to work with!

11 February, 2016Last modified:17 February, 2016

Comment from des Plantes and Associates:

Roxanne,
Thank you for your kind words. I have to admit that the end product that we accomplished did in fact create a HUGE difference in your home. To open the floor plan up to expose the ocean view in every space created value and exciting space. I am so happy that you love the ceiling. It works as designed to provide the necessary lighting in the space, allows for flexibility in furnishing the space, and creates a "water feature" in light.

millersunroom

We hired Marcus des Plantes to help us remodel a sun room into part of our living room. We were exceptionally pleased and the room turned out exactly as we had planned, actually better! I would recommend desPlantes and Associates to anyone.

13 August, 2014Last modified:13 August, 2014

Comment from des Plantes and Associates:

Jerry and Maureen,
Thank you for your review, it is greatly appreciated. Although this was a small renovation project, it added huge value to your home in the form of energy savings, enhanced views to the ocean and an extension to the great room.

Stephen Sparn

Marcus is a very talented architect. His strong graphical abilities help him to convey the design to clients very well. I strongly recommend Marcus.

10 July, 2014

Comment from des Plantes and Associates:

Steven,
Thank you for the kind words. Coming from one of my colleagues, especially one with your breadth of quality work, means a great deal.

Stevie Dall

- Brings creativity, combined with flexibility, to integrated function and design in both new projects and challenging remodels. - Constructively responds to and incorporates client's ideas and suggestions. - Knows applicable local codes and has experience with coastal program regulatory considerations. - Works closely with contractors to assure that the client's vision is implemented.

10 July, 2014

Comment from des Plantes and Associates:

To have the opportunity to work with professionals of the quality and dependability of Dall and Associates is a tremendous advantage to those projects that require expert representation in Coastal Zone Land Use, Resource Management Planning and Advocacy Services. Thank you for your review, it is greatly appreciated.

lawnaehunter

Marcus designed a senior community and custom homes for me.......he is .... creative, innovative, and takes extreme care with his thought and designs.....I love his attention to detail and "hearing" what the customer wants.............I am hiring him for a custom beach house in Aptos,,,,and look forward to working with him again...I give him the highest rating and without hesitation endorse him.... I invite you to call me with any questions....805-925-7750. Lawnae Hunter

2 July, 2014

Comment from des Plantes and Associates:

Lawnae,
Thank you for taking the time to create a review for me.
A quality project is a culmination of many things but it all starts with the client's vision, needs, desires, expectations and above all communication. The Senior Housing and custom home project turned out to be a five star design because the design team had such a great client.

ronblue

Marcus knows the business of design and construction. It has always been delightful working with him as a consulting engineer, and will do so again n the future.

2 July, 2014

Fortini Design

Marcus is easy to work with, he had no problem listening to both the client and other professionals on the projects I was involved with. Marcus stayed true to the style and theme of the house in his designs. His attention to details is admirable and he is very diligent in making sure the building process is complete and client is satisfied. It was great to be part of his Design team. Anne Fortini - interior Designer San Luis Obispo.

2 July, 2014

Julio Hernandez

Marcus spares no effort in providing the best experience for his clients. After working with him on several projects it is apparent that he truly listens to them and responds with beautiful designs that display his wealth of knowledge, experience and talent. He is a pleasure to work with and will make your custom home building experience a joyful one.

24 June, 2014Last modified:25 June, 2014

nickmiller66

des Plantes was able to accomplish all of our goals in designing the house. He was also very effective in producing innovative design solutions for issues that occurred during construction. He worked well with the contractor and the interior designer. We were very pleased with the completed house.

24 April, 2014

betsykiser

My husband and I worked with des Plantes and Associates to design our Craftsman style home, which was completed by Schaefer Construction in 2012. Marcus' ability to take our many fragmented ideas and turn them into a beautiful and functional home was exceptional. He not only designed the home but was readily available throughout the construction phase to contribute ideas and suggestions. He worked closely with the contractor and us to modify plans as necessary to create an extremely comfortable and attractive home. We enjoyed working with Marcus.

18 February, 2014

Schaefer Custom Homes

Marcus is one of the most creative architects we have here on the Central Coast. We have worked with Marcus on numerous projects and have always found him to be a joy to work with.

13 February, 2014

nicolesingson

My husband and I are remodeling both of our bathrooms, and want to open up our kitchen area so it works better with the layout of our house. Marcus has been working with us and he's been fantastic. Even though it is just a remodel, he's given us so many great ideas to tie the whole house together, as well as help us understand what is worth spending money on for the long run, and where we could save. He's making the process really fun and exciting, and I can't wait to live in a house that is finally well designed and perfectly us. Also, he lives is San Luis Obispo, CA and we live in Santa Cruz, which I thought might be a problem when it came down to meeting one on one, but he was very flexible and has been shooting up to meet with us multiple times bringing beautiful sketches of ideas, or examples of materials for us to look at. I hightly recommend him for big or small projects. He's truely a professional.

10 December, 2013

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4 Comments

Commented: pass code?Code requires cables to be no more than 4" apart. I typically specify 3.75". Railing must be at 42" high when deck to ground below is more than 30: tension on the plastic coated stainl...

20 November, 2018

Commented: Kitchenthank you very much. This kitchen was a culmination of changing a traditional closed/ separated space into one that was as expressive as the rest of the interior.

20 October, 2017

Commented: What are the siding and stucco colors on the gray home?The colors of all of our homes were selected sometime ago but believe it was Web Gray SW7075 by Sherwin Williams. hope that helps.

14 September, 2015

Commented: Need COLOR and DESIGN IDEAS House and 40 wooden acres :)a few thinks i could recommend: the cabinet wood type and color don't work with the ceiling wood. i would paint the cabinets- a lighter color will help the brightness in the room- an accent color woul...

15 July, 2015 in Design Dilemma

des Plantes and Associates