Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Architectural Partner in Orange, CA
Founded in 1973, AO Architects has spent five decades establishing itself as a leader in architectural design and planning. With 17 studios across seven offices and a team of 325 professionals, we specialize in creating innovative spaces that blend creativity with technical precision. Our expertise spans multifamily residential, retail, hospitality, mixed-use developments, and commercial projects, serving clients who value collaborative partnerships and design excellence. Our approach prioritizes relationships, ensuring every project minimizes risk while maximizing value for stakeholders. From master planning to interior design, we transform visionary concepts into built environments that resonate with communities.Our work on iconic projects like Parkside Market at Downtown Disney and The Cliff adaptive reuse demonstrates our commitment to elevating urban landscapes. With deep roots in Orange County and a global perspective, we combine local market knowledge with international design trends. Our team's technical mastery and dedication to sustainable practices have earned recognition across the architecture industry. Whether designing surf-inspired retail spaces or reimagining industrial sites, we focus on creating places that connect people and purpose. This philosophy has sustained our growth and client loyalty for over half a century.
Services
Architecture
Urban Planning
Landscape Design
Interior Design
Mixed-Use Development
Retail Design
Hospitality Architecture
Multifamily Housing
Sustainable Design
Adaptive Reuse
Details
- Year established: 1973
Highlights and features
- We offer 51 years of experience in architectural design and urban planning
- Our collaborative process prioritizes client vision and minimizes project risks
- We maintain dedicated studios for multifamily, retail, and mixed-use developments
- Our team includes LEED-certified professionals and industry-recognized designers
- We operate 7 studios across California and beyond with local market expertise
Services
Architecture
Our architectural practice combines visionary design with technical precision to create impactful built environments. Specializing in multifamily and commercial projects, we transform concepts into functional spaces that enhance user experience. With expertise in both ground-up construction and adaptive reuse, our architects deliver solutions that balance aesthetic appeal with practical considerations across diverse sectors including retail, hospitality, and mixed-use developments.
Urban Planning
We shape resilient urban environments through comprehensive planning that integrates land use, infrastructure, and community needs. Our approach creates authentic places that foster connections while maintaining technical feasibility. From master plans for large-scale developments to site-specific strategies, we develop actionable frameworks that address both immediate requirements and long-term sustainability for evolving urban landscapes.
Landscape Design
Our landscape architecture creates inspiring environments that bridge nature and human experience. We design outdoor areas that complement architectural elements while emphasizing ecological sustainability. By integrating context-sensitive solutions, we craft spaces that evolve meaningfully over time, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic value for commercial developments, residential communities, and public spaces across diverse climate zones.
Interior Design
We create experiential interior environments that reflect brand identity and enhance user engagement. Our designs seamlessly connect interior spaces with exterior architecture while optimizing functionality. Specializing in hospitality, retail, and workplace settings, we translate cultural narratives into spatial experiences that balance artistic expression with practical performance requirements for commercial and residential applications.
Mixed-Use Development
We specialize in creating cohesive mixed-use environments that combine residential, commercial, and recreational elements. Our expertise develops synergistic spaces that maximize land use efficiency while fostering community interaction. Through careful programming and design integration, we deliver developments that balance diverse functional requirements with aesthetic harmony, creating vibrant destinations that serve multiple user groups within urban contexts.
People
Ken Smith
Managing Partner
With decades of architectural experience, Ken leads strategic direction while maintaining active involvement in complex design projects. His expertise spans large-scale urban developments and innovative building solutions.
Tom Bergerson
Partner
As a senior design leader, Tom specializes in merging technical expertise with creative vision for commercial and mixed-use projects. He focuses on delivering context-sensitive architectural solutions that meet evolving market demands.
Ioanna Magiati
Partner
An accomplished architect with specialization in urban planning, Ioanna bridges policy insights with design excellence. Her work focuses on creating sustainable, people-centered environments that address both immediate needs and future growth.
Ruba Awad-Moran
Partner
LEED-certified expert in interior architecture, Ruba specializes in creating experiential spaces for hospitality and commercial clients. She leads design teams in developing innovative environments that balance aesthetics with functional performance.
Diego Alessi
Landscape Architect
As a licensed landscape architect, Diego creates outdoor environments that integrate ecological principles with human-centered design. His work focuses on developing sustainable, inspiring spaces that enhance architectural projects and community experiences.
Questions
What architectural services does AO offer?
We provide full-service architecture, urban planning, landscape design, and interior solutions for multifamily, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use developments.
How long has AO been in business?
We've been delivering architectural solutions since 1973, with 51 years of experience in the design industry.
What project types does AO specialize in?
We specialize in multifamily housing, commercial developments, retail centers, hospitality projects, and mixed-use urban environments.
Where does AO operate?
We maintain seven regional offices in California, Nevada, Georgia, New York, and Florida, serving clients nationwide.
How does AO approach design projects?
We combine creative vision with technical expertise, emphasizing collaborative partnerships to deliver spaces that connect people and purpose.
