Alda Capi Architecture, an award-winning, full-service architecture and design studio in Danville, California, creates exceptional spaces that seamlessly connect interior spaces with nature. We specialize in reimagining the live-work-socialize environments, with a focus on modern residential and commercial projects across the San Francisco Bay Area. Our commitment is to deliver outstanding design, building strong relationships with clients, consultants, and contractors, and bringing your visions to life with joy and kindness.
Personally involved with every aspect of the projects, Alda is committed to delivering exceptional design and a seamless process. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards for design excellence.
Alda Çapi, a licensed architect and visionary designer, founded Alda Capi Architecture to bring design excellence to every project. With 20 years of experience on a diverse range of project types, Alda has consistently delivered outstanding architectural quality that has gained recognition and publication.
This commitment has been celebrated with prestigious honors including the 2021 AIASF Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects San Francisco, and the 2021 GADA First Place Award from The Future Global Architecture Design Awards. Alda was also the 2022 recipient of the Europe 40under40 Architecture and Design Award, presented by The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, recognizing her as a leader shaping future living and working environments. Further solidifying her influence, Alda was shortlisted for the 2022 WAN Female Frontiers Awards in the Emerging Architect of the Year category.
Alda’s strong academic foundation includes a Master of Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where her thesis work was nominated for the Thesis Award and she earned Distinctions in multiple Option Design Studios. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Summa Cum Laude, from Lawrence Technological University, where she was honored with the Edward Donley Distinguished Graduate Award as the top graduate of the University.
Beyond practice, Alda has contributed to architectural education, teaching studios at the California College of the Arts and the University of California Berkeley, as well as serving as a Research and Teaching Assistant at Harvard GSD and Lawrence Technological University. Her research contributions include illustrations for a book on Nanomaterials, Nanotechnologies, and Design while at Harvard.
Before founding Alda Capi Architecture, Alda honed her expertise at acclaimed studios such as NADAAA, Kennedy Violich Architecture, Lowney Architecture, and Studios Architecture.
Alda is licensed to practice in California and Massachusetts. While much of her recent work has focused on Northern California projects, her expertise extends nationally through collaborations with Local Architects of Record, ensuring her design vision can be realized across diverse jurisdictions.
Integrating Interior and Exterior Environments
Creating Poetic, Functional, and Personalized Spaces
Designing with Context, Site, and Culture Specificity
Innovating with Climate and Technology Responsive Architecture
Envisioning Big Ideas
Crafting Details
We are a full-service architecture studio taking projects from Ideas through Construction Administration. During initial meetings and throughout the process, we collaborate closely with clients to assess how the design decisions impact project goals, budget, and schedule. We have crafted a design process similar to the AIA standards to ensure a successful project and experience.
The first phase of the Design Process is the Schematic Design Phase. This entails the Design Vision, several options, and iterations of plans. At the end of this phase, it is important to have the Design Intent and one great solution of the plan to further develop during the Design Development Phase. If appropriate, we will take the project through the Planning Department at the end of this Phase or at 50% Design Development. During Design Development, we work with consultants to coordinate the project and to further the design. We do simple project estimates as well as help our clients consult with local contractors on ballpark pricing to ensure the design and budget are aligned. At times, we visit local showrooms with our clients as part of the process. The agreed design is furthered during the Construction Documents, and more research and coordination goes into the products and specifications at this stage. The project goes through the Permit Process during this Phase. The final phase includes focused Construction Administration, involving key observations at milestone moments during construction. The role of the architect at this stage is observation to ensure the project is built according to the Design Intent and the Standards set in the Construction Documents.
We offer Additional Services, including measuring and documenting Existing Conditions in Revit on projects we take on, Landscape Design, Interior Design, Programming, Test Fits, expanded Construction Administration, and Design Consultation.
Most meetings are online through Zoom. We also meet in person at the site to review site conditions, at the studio in Danville, and local showrooms to review materials and fixture selections.
Throughout the process, we use various tools to convey the design and documentation of the project, including Hand Sketches, Material Samples, Drawings produced in Revit, 3D Visualizations and Renderings produced in Rhino/Vray, Google Slide Presentations, and Physical Models.
Projects thrive on strong partnerships that are built on trust, respect, and kindness. Exceptional design emerges from a collaborative process where the project goals and constraints transform into big ideas and a clear vision for the project. We focus on clear communication, active listening, and problem-solving through design.
“Alda and I have been planning my forever home since September 2023. I can say that Alda's process is thorough and thoughtful and I never felt rushed in our design process. We have planned for our home for about 1 year and I can say the time spent on our project was well worth it. We explored many design layouts and space planning exercises to ensure nothing is missed. Alda takes time to listen to my needs while applying her design expertise to present solutions and design layouts based on our discussions. She always says it's better explore our options now vs down the line to avoid change orders in the project (aka increase in cost down the line). Her attention to detail in drafting the permit set has led us to a quick 5 day permit approval from the city with no comments. It goes to show that Alda completely pours her heart and soul into her projects. My experience in working with Alda is beyond my expectations and I would recommend her to any of my friends and family. I can't wait to see our vision come to life as we prepare for construction in March 2025!” Mary Lin
“I had the pleasure of working with Alda Capi for a preschool redesign project, and I can confidently say she is fabulous! Her organizational skills and attention to detail are truly remarkable. Throughout our project, she maintained a high level of professionalism while also being flexible and caring, which made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. She started the project by becoming familiar with the laws and regulations governing our school, so that she could intelligently design a school that meets state regulations as well as city and fire codes. She also set realistic goals, and was careful during vendor talks to make sure our needs were being met.
Alda is a creative thinker, and looking at her portfolio, you will see her unique ideas in both commercial and residential projects. It's no surprise that she is an award-winning architect. Her hard work and dedication are leading her to recognition in the industry, and I’m so excited to see an exceptional professional grow and shine!
If you are looking for an architect who will listen to you, knows her field exceptionally well, and is ready to walk your journey of change with you, give Alda a call.” Sonna Dhamrait
Ready to discuss your project? Reach out to us directly and schedule a consultation. Email: alda@aldacapi.com