Projects
Thornton Earl Manor
- Category Residential
- Year completed 2017
- Location Christchurch
- Photos Simon Larkin, Larkin Design
Profile
Michael John established AO Architecture with his business partner Nicholas Mann in 2011. Setting up their practice in the post-earthquake market, the two designers opened their consultancy in the heart of Christchurch city on High Street. Michael’s love of heritage design and his desire to be a part of the city rebuild was a big part of the decision behind the office’s location.
While historical restoration is a passion, Michael also enjoys working with natural materials including timber, glass, concrete and metal in his design works. Having gained the majority of his work experience in Canterbury, Michael has significant experience in land issues and rebuilds.
AO Architecture is a boutique architectural design practice with innovation and client care at the core of their design belief and business model.
Working on all aspects of design from residential to commercial, AO architecture is a flexible design practice driven by an experienced team with a strong and sound technical knowledge of the architecture industry and trade.
Specialties
Awards
- ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards, National Winner, Residential multi-unit, 2020
Client Reviews
The first project was our warehouse, office and showroom facility on St Asaph Street, Christchurch. The project value totaled $1.2m.We felt it was critical to find the right designer who could make our ideas a reality within budget and time constraints. AO Architecture was recommended to us.
We engaged AO Architecture not only to design the building, co-ordinate the project at a senior level. This also included preparing tender documentation, reviewing and assessing all tenders for contractor selection right through to completion of the project and handover of the building. The building contractor for this project was Simon Construction.
Mike managed the weekly site meetings with all parties, dealt with any issues raised and kept the project well on track. We were most impressed when Mike picked up an engineering fault
overlooked by the engineers that we had engaged. His early intervention prevented a large blowout in costs.
Throughout the process, Mike exceeded expectations. We were very happy with the final design and have had no issues occupying the building since.
We were so pleased with Mike's professionalism and abilities in design knowledge that we engaged him to design our own home.
Mike is a person who listens and gives excellent advice and suggestions. He has been extremely patient and accommodating with our numerous variations and changes. The design for our house is now under construction.
We unreservedly recommend Mike from AO Architecture as a designer.
Graeme & Rosalind Brenssell, Impres & Richmond Hill House