ISA is a design and research office engaged with the complex context of the American city. We design buildings, master plans, installations, and conversations that address changing climates, lifestyles, technologies and urban environments. We think of design as radically pragmatic problem solving, where asking the right questions is as important as finding answers. We develop approaches that are flexible and strategic where the many constraints imposed by a project's context and stakeholders become productive drivers of innovation.

Across almost two decades, ISA has balanced BUILDING design with LAB projects – research initiatives, experiments, exhibitions and an array of special assignments, both self-initiated and grant-funded. Our culture of interdisciplinary thinking spans a broad range of topics and stakeholders that enrich the intelligence and possibilities of the real and speculative built environments.