About the Practice
Led by Alexandra Ismerio, I+DA is a full-service architectural firm that gets personal — in the best sense — dedicating heart and soul to every aspect of design, planning and development. We’ve been creating sustainable homes that are both aspirational and attainable since 2000.
I+DA presented ideas that I never would have thought of that gave me exactly the feeling that I wanted…”
—Christina Harbridge, Brisbane, CA
Nature illustrates that everything is in motion all the time. TLC [timeless, liminal, conscious] guides our craft and our instincts as we preserve the best elements of the past, accompany you from dream — through discomfort — to delight, and always remain mindful of the natural environment.
Nurture informs our uniquely collaborative process. First, we listen. To your your hopes and fears. Devoting time to connect on this level is invaluable and helps us to refine your vision and explore possibilities you may not have imagined. As you begin the complex process of turning your dream into a reality, we show you how design can transform your life, grow with you, and evolve with your future.
From concept to implementation, we orchestrate the entire process with you. This includes documentation of existing conditions, schematic design, design development, budget maintenance, navigation through the bureaucratic approvals process, consultation on contractor selection, and job site observation. Our conscious diligence ensures a final product that will reflect your deepest desires and reasoned sensibilities.
From the ground up, our aim is to reuse, reclaim, and respect the legacy of a structure and the appropriateness of the materials to their context. And our “universal design” approach anticipates life changes and special needs with real-world sensitivity to all aspects of accessibility.
Located in Petaluma, California, I+DA has projects at home and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and state including Santa Cruz, Calistoga, Napa, Sebastopol, Cotati, Healdsburg and Joshua Tree.
About the Architect
Alexandra Ismerio
Architect, AIA
What does a dyed in the wool maker do after a decade of construction know-how incites her passion to draw and build from scratch? She doubles down on education and craft to become a skilled and soulful architect.
Alex has worked in the building industry for over 25 years including over ten years in San Francisco residential construction before transitioning into architecture. She was awarded her Architectural Degree from California College of the Arts in 2002. Her list of projects spans from California’s coasts and deserts, to Oregon pastures, and the urban landscapes of Washington state.
In Alex’s world, architecture is where art and function intersect. In addition to creating uncommon homes, she is the visionary behind unique restaurants in Joshua Tree, San Francisco, and Seattle. From 2008 to 2015 she collaborated with two Oakland artists to realize a public installation, “Undercurrent,” a series of large-scale sculptures at Lake Merritt that formed a permanent part of the Oakland landscape.
Always a maker, Alex finds inspiration in a vast community of artists, creators, thinkers and rebels.
