AO Wins Four Grand Awards at the 2022 PCBC Gold Nuggets
gold nugget awards ao group photo pr

AO Press Release

From more than 600 entries, the judges recognized AO’s top projects with four Grand Awards and 12 Merit Awards in 11 categories including mixed-use, multifamily, recreation, and affordable housing. AO’s Grand-winning projects for the best in multifamily design are; Iowa Apartments in Riverside, CA for Best On-the Boards Mixed-Use; Warner Red Hill in Santa Ana, CA for Best On-the Boards Site Plan; and Confluence Park in Valencia, CA for Best Community Amenity and Best Design for Energy.

Read more >

Return to Offices and Something Else: The relevance of workspaces now seems linked to their being part of mixed-use developments

Building Design + Construction

In Southern California, the developer Merlone Geier Partners is redeveloping what had been a shopping mall on 67.8 acres into the Village at Laguna Hills, a 2.94-million-sf mixed-use community. Ioanna Magiati places this project within the larger urbanization trend. In that context, mixed-use residential and retail "need to create a story" that buttresses the revitalization of the surrounding community, she says.

Read more >

Generating Value Through Repositioning Retail

AO and IMG Construction Management | The Mann Report

Many shopping center owners and operators are looking to breathe new life into their properties by repositioning through the introduction of new uses. AO Managing Partners Rob Budetti and RC Alley, Principal Doug Pearl along with Brett Isaacman from IMG Construction Management discuss trends, property options, strategies and more in this article by The Mann Report.

Read more >

The Space Between: How Success of the Instant Urban Village Lies in the Placemaking of the Public Realm

By Michael Heinrich, AO for Mann Report

California's housing crisis has affected every city across the state. As municipalities explore new development strategies to grow housing stock, they often seek to leverage existing infrastructure to re-imagine 21st century communities. This raises several new challenges for architects and planners, who are tasked with designing more intense, instant urban villages that still deliver an authentic sense of place and vibrant community life. As buildings become larger and neighborhoods denser, the importance of the public realm — the space between buildings — cannot be overstated.

Read more >

344-Unit Apartment Complex Takes Shape Next to Duarte Station

By Steven Sharpe | Urbanize L.A.

After nearly one year of construction, wood framing is starting to wrap above-grade parking at Esperanza at Duarte Station, the new multifamily residential complex now taking shape next to the Metro L Line in Duarte. Completion of the project is expected in mid-2023.

Read more >

AO Elevates 35 Rising Stars, Including the Appointment of Two Partners & Three Principals
AO Elevates 35 Rising Stars Feature Image

GlobeNewswire

Firm-wide promotions bolster leadership, support the firm’s expansion into new markets and facilitates growth of diverse project portfolio.

Read more >

The Future of Travel in the Post COVID World

By Rob Budetti, Managing Partner, AO and Savio Clemente for Authority Magazine

COVID-19 has created opportunities for innovation and a focus on health and wellness that have led to design innovations. Managing partner Rob Budetti is interviewed by Savio Clemente for his series about developments in the travel industry over the next five years.

Read more >

Time, Cost Savings Increase Modular Construction Interest

Los Angeles Business Journal

In this LABJ article AO Principal, Ioanna Magiati, was interviewed about the time and cost advantages of modular construction. She has worked on modular projects for the past five years, participating in about 50 such projects in LA and Northern California.

Read more >

Mixed-Use Industrial Sector Soars in the Inland Empire

By Dan MacDavid, Principal, AO | Western Real Estate Business

Mixed-use industrial has become a significant economic driver in the Inland Empire. Cities are benefiting from business synergies, additional tax revenue, high-quality design and civic engagement that builds community. Dan MacDavid discusses these subjects and more with Western Real Estate Business.

Read more >

AO Nominated for “Companies That Care”

Orange County Business Journal

AO was recently nominated for the Orange County Business Journal's 2021 Companies That Care Awards! The awards recognize local businesses that have gone above and beyond to tackle a variety of challenging and pressing community issues.

Read more >

California’s Semi-Urban Zoom Towns – A Modern Lifestyle Frontier

By Ioanna Magiati and Paolo Leon, AO for Mann Report

The pandemic launched a new remote work paradigm, where people are no longer constrained by the physical location of their job. Sprouting Zoom Towns offer remote workers a permanent retreat from the city center, whereas Semi-Urban Zoom Towns are a more desirable and practical option for telecommuters who may primarily work remotely but still maintain an office presence. Ioanna Magiati, Senior Associate and Paolo Leon, Associate at AO discuss how we're responding to this new trend.

Read more >

Imagine, Innovate, Implement: the Architect’s Role in Realizing a Developer’s Vision

By Bruce Greenfield, Henry Wong, and Tom Bergerson for Hotel Executive

These days it seems that change is not only constant in the hospitality industry but happening at such a rapid rate that by the time we design and construct a new hotel we are immediately reconsidering the program, implementing new technology, or reacting to new schools of thought.

Read more >

Designing Restaurants Feeds AO’s Creativity

By Christopher Trela

Restaurants are another growing element of the AO business. Restaurant studio leaders Ruba Younan, Design Principal, and Jeff Rabbitt, Partner, discuss projects, innovations, challenges and solutions with the Orange County Business Journal.

Read more >

AO Appoints New Design Director, Associate in Commercial Studio

by AO

With more than 20 years of architecture and interior design experience, Alice joins AO to lead multidisciplined teams on large-scale urban design, retail, commercial and mixed-use projects.

Read more >

5-Story Apartment Community in Duarte, CA Breaks Ground

By David Malone | Courtesy MBK Rental Living

Esperanza at Duarte Station will be located just 11 miles from downtown Pasadena and 22 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

Read more >

AO Ranked Among the Top Architecture Firms

by Orange County Business Journal

Notable projects including Park & Paseo, VRV, Metro East, Inn at the Mission, Northwood Town Center, and Bosscat Kitchen & Libations.

Read more >

Creating Vibrant Vintage Vibes

By Jeff Rabbitt and Ruba Younan

The challenge of repurposing an existing space, creating something new and efficient while recognizing and highlighting the details and elements that give the space its authenticity and appeal.

Read more >

The Luxurious Le Meridien Hotel in Pasadena Arcadia

By Jill Weinlein | Just Luxe

The doors opened to the much anticipated Le Meridien Pasadena Arcadia Hotel after three-year build.

Read more >

AO Bolsters Leadership with Elevation of Director of Planning and New Associate

by AO

The promotions of Nakisa Heshmati and Nathan McCormick recognize their dedication, leadership, and technical expertise in multifamily and mixed-use architecture and planning.

Read more >

AO Appoints New Principal to Lead Mixed-Use Studio

by AO

We proudly welcome to AO Doug Pearl, Principal, Mixed-Use Development. With established studio expertise in mixed-use, multifamily, and commercial architecture combined with Doug's leadership, AO is uniquely positioned to deliver enhanced integrated design offerings and collaborate with clients to drive the future of mixed-use development.

Read more >