AO Architecture

After hearing about AO Architecture through a build that my husband and I had admired in Fendalton, Christchurch, we decided to meet with them to discuss our project. When designing our new home we knew we needed professionalism and knowledge along side a fun and daring attitude, we found that in Nick from AO Architecture. We worked alongside him to create a dream residence for us. It was an unusual triangular site with a long river frontage and it was important to encompass all aspects of view, sun and the correct room placements while still creating a stunning building which would be visible both from the front and the back. We managed the build ourselves, however Nick was always there to answer any questions and guide us through the more complicated areas. My husband and I would describe them as a forward thinking team with a keenness to listen and satisfy their clients but still adhering to their own creative design aspects. We would highly recommend the AO Architecture Team to anyone considering a build or renovation. Nicolette and David Parsons

My husband and I engaged Mike Johns of AO Architecture (Christchurch) to restore our 110 year old Queen Anne style home after it was extensively damaged in the earthquakes. Mike remained so passionate and enthusiastic throughout the entire project. His professionalism and enthusiasm never waned during the 2 1/2 year project. Mike sets a very high standard and showed incredible knowledge and his attention to detail was second to none. Being such an old home and so badly damaged we wanted to maintain the heritage but add in some modern influences. A difficult task to really get right. Mike lead us through this and the end result is that we could not be happier with his designs. His heritage "eye" was detailed and "spot on" and knew where and how the modern influence could be incorporated. So many trades worked on the project and Mike held the respect of all. Many times he was asked to solve a complicated situation and did so successfully. Mike has a calming influence in times of stress and this was invaluable during such a long project. This was appreciated and commented on by many of the trades/builders and appreciated by us as the clients. Mike had the authority and respect to push the varied trades to ensure time restraints and budgets met. He was fantastic at dealing with council and guiding us through the many consents. His support team at AO Architecture were wonderful and professional and we cannot recommend Mike/AO Architecture more highly. Extended family have used AO Architecture since the completion of our home. We have also recommended Mike and AO to friends and other clients who have all been grateful of our recommendation.Thank you so much Mike for overseeing the restoration of our beautiful home. There is not one thing we would have changed! Dean and Andrea Marshall.

We engaged Mike John and the team at AO Architecture in Q3 2018 to design and specify a rebuild of our recently purchased summehill stone 50s bungalow that had a rather ugly two storey addition built circa 1990. The property was in dire need of updating and renovation and having never done such a project before we were novices at such an extensive project. We selected AO based on a recommendation by a friend who’s home they rebuilt in Christchurch.. We gave AO a simple brief - work with what we have but give it a major update and “it’s all about the view”. And we don’t want to over capitalise but are happy to invest in a quality lifestyle in this rural slice of heaven that is Banks Peninsula. NZ 1950s architecture has few redeeming features, but Mike and the team came up with a redesign that very elegantly accentuates the good aspects of the property, cleverly putting new life in to the house, turning it in to a wonderfully modern contemporary home. We are delighted with the results and would have no hesitation in recommending this young, talented and vibrant team of professionals. They were/are a pleasure to work with and their focus on both the detail and the big picture is second to none. Photos to follow when landscaping is completed.

We were very happy with the work AO Architecture completed for us. Primary works include: 3 Buildings, Large Development - Design, Planning and Project Management. Secondary: Planning and Design on our smaller units. We would highly recommend.

James and I had the pleasure of working with Nick and Ashley of AO Architecture while planning the renovation and extension of our 100 year old home in St Albans We had numerous meetings with Nick and Ashley to discuss our project. We wanted our home to be practical and user-friendly, cosy, warm, good looking and to retain much of the original character of the house. The end result is all of that and more and we are extremely happy with it. Nick and Ashley were both determined for their design to meet our needs/wants. At the same time, they were always able to come up with new ideas and solutions when we came across roadblocks. They dealt with the council efficiently (something we wouldn’t have been able to do) and communicated regularly and easily with us. The whole process was smooth and they were both a pleasure to work with. We have ended up with a house that feels like it will be our ‘forever home’. We love it. We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending AO architecture to anyone building or renovating a home. James and Emily

Nick Mann and his team were superb to deal with throughout the complete design and build of our commercial building. Without Nick's excellent guidance, patience and professionalism our project may not have been completed. If you want to have a relationship with honest, hardworking and excellent designers who put the client first, then I fully recommend AO Architecture.