Culture

We are Better Together.

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Here at AO you’re not just a number, you’re family. We believe in casual Fridays, company sponsored events, annual holiday parties, picnics, bowling and more. As the host of Toastmasters International, we seek to expand one’s confidence in public speaking, leadership and teamwork while providing both professional and personal growth. With collaborative work spaces and driven coworkers, AO welcomes creativity, learning, and lasting relationships.

 

AO’s 9th Annual Friendly Center Raffle
January 12, 2023
Our partnership with the Friendly Center has developed an important tie to our community and how we can give back. At this year's event, Ioanna Magiati, and Vickie Oshima presented a check for $17,805 to Friendly Center Director of Development, Arian Ghiacy. AO’s collective support is changing the lives of local families in crisis and helping them get through this Holiday season. AO employees who donated to the fundraiser participated in a raffle for a chance to win a variety of prizes!
2022 AOlé Holiday Cocktail Party
December 10, 2022
The AO family traveled from far and wide to join together for the AOlé Spanish Holiday Cocktail party at Cafe Sevilla in Costa Mesa this year! Great times were had by all as we shared delicious cocktails, paella, tapas, and desserts. The night was filled with entertainment provided by the ever-so-talented Flamenco & Rumba guitarists followed by a DJ to rock the club!
AO’s Halloween Fright Feast 2022
November 1, 2022
Competition was terrifying this year at AO’s Halloween Fright Feast at the Woman’s Club of Orange! Ghouls traveled from far and wide to have their costumes and pumpkin carvings judged. Congratulations to our contest winners this year! Watch the recap video here!
2nd Annual Nick Macneil Cornhole Tournament
October 20, 2022
The competition was fierce at AO’s 2nd Annual Nick Macneil Memorial Cornhole Tournament! Thirty-two teams of AO’s finest cornholers gathered for an epic battle of hand-to-bean bag combat. In the end, only one team could win, but a valiant effort was displayed by every pair and the crowd was up on their feet cheering for the championship match. Congrats to our 2022 champs Carlo Mantovani and Chris Gutierrez! Cheers until next year... Watch the recap video HERE!
Team AO Did Their Jurassic Park to End Hunger This Year at CanstructionOC!
September 27, 2022
Team AO did our Jurassic Part to Fight Hunger and came away with the award for Best Original Design for Canstruction OC! Let’s all continue to support our food banks and serve our local communities through creative programs like Canstruction! https://vimeo.com/754414868
AO Family Enjoys Some Mid-Day Mindfulness
August 11, 2022
Don't get things twisted, the AO team loves to stay fit and healthy! The AO family came together for some mid-day mindfulness to align their chakras at SunSpark Yoga Studio in Old Towne Orange. Great minds think better together when they are aligned!
2022 AO Endless Summer Bonfire
July 29, 2022
The extended AO family gathered last weekend for our annual Endless Summer Beach Bonfire at SeaLegs in Huntington Beach! Together, we celebrated with fun games, awesome stories, great food, and even better company. Thanks for all of the laughs and amazing memories...until next year! https://vimeo.com/734856238
Finding Ways to Beat the Summer Heat Together
July 19, 2022
What better way to beat the heat than some refreshing Italian ice? Scooter’s Italian Ice Truck stopped by AO’s Orange Campus for our monthly sweet treat and the AO family joined together to delight in a variety of tasty flavors from Blue Raspberry to Mangonada. Ice cream is always better together and so is our team!
AO Archispeak Toastmasters: A Member to Remember
July 1, 2022
AO Archispeak Toastmasters club celebrated its 5th Golden Anniversary on Thursday, June 23rd. Members came together to celebrate the theme "A Member to Remember", telling jokes, sharing stories, inspirational quotes and a poetry reading. AO Archispeak was chartered by Albert Yang and RC Alley (Residential Studio) on August 2017.
Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour
May 5, 2022
This year we hosted our annual Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour at our neighboring brewery, Chapman Crafted in Old Towne Orange. A staple of our company culture, this event brought AO staff from both the commercial and residential studios together to cheers beers and enjoy delicious tacos! Check out the event highlights by clicking this link.
Spring Into Spring Fitness Challenge
April 30, 2022
For the 2022 Spring Fitness Challenge, AO staff participated in a month-long competition to boost our collective health and wellness. The challenge was either walk/run 60 miles or bike 180 miles in 30 days! At the end of the challenge, together we completed a total of 8,632 miles walking or biking! We enjoyed seeing everyone participating and sending in photos of scenic biking views, long distance runs, or evening strolls with loved ones. Congratulations to everyone who reached their goals! Click HERE for a recap video of the challenge.
Admin Appreciation Day
April 27, 2022
"Thank you" is not nearly enough for all that our Administration Professionals do at AO! For Admin Appreciation Day, we honored our Admin professionals with gifts and lunch as a token of our gratitude. Video HERE.
AO’s 8th Annual Friendly Center Raffle
March 2, 2022
Our partnership with the Friendly Center has developed an important tie to our community and how we can give back. At this year's event, Ed Cadavona, Ioanna Magiati, and Vickie Oshima presented a check for $15,375 to Friendly Center President, Cathy Seelig. AO's collective support is changing the life of local families in crisis and helping them get through this Holiday season. AO employees who donated to the fundraiser participated in a raffle for a chance to win a variety of prizes!
Grooving the Night Away
December 11, 2021
AO's Studio 54 theme holiday party was a full of good vibes! We donned our best Disco Chic attire for an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, music and dancing!
2021 AO Commercial Studio International Potluck
November 19, 2021
Our AO Commercial team held their first International Potluck and it was a hit! We had dishes representing over 20 countries and cultures. Thank you to everyone who participated and for those who couldn't make it, you can join us next year!
Halloween Spooktacular!
October 31, 2021
It was our first Halloween event since the pandemic, and everyone was ready to get in the spirit; from creative hand-made costumes to intricately carved pumpkins. Check out the event video here!
2021 AO Summer Bonfire & Luau
October 12, 2021
It was an evening of great food, live music, and fun as team AO gathered for a bonfire and luau to celebrate the end of summer. The gourmet smores were a hit at sunset, and we especially loved seeing the extended AO family reunite with new and familiar faces! Until next year... https://vimeo.com/630476268
AO team at welcome back food truck event
AO is Back & Better Together!
August 3, 2021
After over a year apart, AO is so grateful to be #BackAndBetterTogether! It was a beautiful day to celebrate and welcome our team back to the office with a Food Truck Fest in Old Towne Orange.
Redefining ways to be Better Together: A look back at AO’s year in quarantine
March 22, 2021
In a year like no other we are more grateful than ever for our AO family. AO is looking back at a year in quarantine where we redefined what it means to be #BetterTogether. https://vimeo.com/527483387
Cal Poly Pomona Firm Week
February 3, 2021
As a relationship driven firm, it brings us great pleasure to be able to support this years Cal Poly Pomona, Department of Architecture Firm Week looking to inspire and encourage future architects to follow their passion for design. Cal Poly Pomona alumni Richard Clarke and Ioanna Magiati were joined by Glenn Man and Paolo Leon for this years events helping to guide these talented students on the exciting future that is to come after graduation.
Holiday Ugly Sweater & Snowflake Contest
December 18, 2020
Over the 2020 holiday season we celebrated the end of the year with a virtual zoom happy hour which included an ugly sweater contest and paper snowflake contest. The top 3 winners in each category received a prize for their hard work and creative costume. It was a wonderful celebration spent with the entire AO family. We are looking forward to holidays spent together soon!
2020 Friendly Center Food Drive & Fundraiser
December 2, 2020
The AO-Friendly Center Food Drive and Fundraiser was an overwhelming success. Together AO raised a total of $13,860 that will provide a weeks worth of food to over 1,000 OC families in need during the holiday season! We would also like to congratulate the 46 AO team members who earned a special gold star for completing the November fitness challenge, walking, running, and biking a total of 6,245 miles. This outstanding success proves that AO truly can make a tremendous impact on our community, and that we are in fact Better Together!
AO Steps into Sept.
October 22, 2020
For the month of September AO team members were presented with the challenge to complete either 60 miles of running/walking or 180 miles of biking. The goal was to encourage team members to stay healthy while working from home as well as give back to the Friendly Center. With 50 competitors completing over 6,400 miles, AO was able to donate funds to the Friendly Center in this time of need.
AO Celebrates Together
June 11, 2020
From graduations and birthdays to baby showers and weddings, we have all missed important milestones over the past few months. But team AO doesn’t let a little social distancing get in the way of sharing these special moments. Let's raise a glass, and Celebrate Together! #BetterTogether #CelebrateTogether
Virtual Friday Happy Hours
May 19, 2020
8 Weeks in and AO’s virtual Friday Happy Hours are still going strong! Taking the time to share ideas, laugh, and raise a glass…it’s how team AO rides out quarantine #BetterTogether!
AO Better Connected – Team Spirit
May 11, 2020
Even when we can't be in the office, the AO team spirit is alive and well! Our 45th anniversary ushered in a new brand for AO - which the team showed off and got creative with while working from home.
AO Better Connected – Office Mates
April 6, 2020
A relationship-focused approach has been at the core of AO’s business philosophy since our firm was founded 45 years ago. This extends to our team – who is constantly reinventing what it means to be “Better Together”. This week AO employees shared their new office mates who are keeping them company while working from home. Take a look at AO's extended family.
Wellness Week
February 7, 2020
The first week in February, our Multifamily studio embarked on a week of Wellness. The week consisted of a Nutrition and Sleep presentation, guided walks around Orange and Yoga at Sunspark Yoga studio. Certified Chiropractor, Brian Wikoff, also came and presented on how to live a healthy lifestyle. On the last day of Wellness Week there were multiple fitness competitions as well as a celebration to congratulate everyone for being mindful and thinking about their health and well-being over the week.
6th Annual Friendly Center Fundraiser
January 10, 2020
The 6th Annual AO Friendly Center fundraiser nets $16,500 for the local non-profit on a mission to end the cycle of generational poverty in Orange County.
AO45 Celebration
November 11, 2019
Thank you to our clients and friends who gathered to celebrate AO's 45th anniversary and the launch of our new brand. The evolution and innovation of Architects Orange is reflected in our new identity; we are now AO.