Established in San Francisco in 1999, the ib+a’s reputation and broad portfolio of projects is based on the 40 years of international design experience of its founding principal, Ian Birchall, AIA RIBA. Working primarily in residential design, and mixed-use urban projects, the firm also has award-winning experience in community
planning, hospitality design, retail and interiors.
For each project, ib+a will take the client’s programmatic and financial parameters and form them into an architectural response that is both contemporary and, when appropriate, contextually responsive. We work early and closely with the local community groups to ensure that our designs receive their support and pass more smoothly through the San Francisco’s complex and lengthy entitlements process. The firm’s goal is to create beautiful additions to the built environment that surpass the client’s goals and expectations, and are welcomed by their neighbors.
As a small firm, each project has the benefit of having the hands-on involvement of Ian Birchall who, with the project’s key person, will stay with the project from pre-design to post-occupancy. The firm is currently staffed with 12 full-time professionals of whom most have seen their designs built, and know the challenges of the design, entitlements and construction processes.
When designing we seek appropriate and fresh solutions that help our clients’ projects compete and succeed in the competitive residential market. With each new project, whether it is residential, or educational, or city-wide signage, ib+a continues its passionate pursuit of innovative ideas, design excellence and exceptional service.
