Awards & Publications

AO Architecture is an award-winning practice. While a projects real success is measured by the client’s enjoyment of the process and the end result, we enjoy both showcasing our work and being active in the architecture community. The outcomes are driven by a committed, collaborative and personable approach to our clients.

Canterbury Heritage Awards 2021

Highly Commended - Domestic Saved and Restored - Thornton Earl Manor

Metropol: Hillside haven

This Richmond Hill home is a dream realised for its owners who had lived through post-earthquake flooding at their previous site. Designers of this dream are AO Architecture, and Michael John and his team are award-winners for this design that is totally at one with its surroundings.

ADNZ National Awards 2020

Winner - Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling - Thornton Earl Manor

ADNZ National Awards 2020

Finalist - Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling - Thornton Earl Manor

Trends: To the manor reborn

Not-so-little moves like appropriating and demolishing the next door house along with tucking another floor in under the existing roofline, were just two aspects of this makeover which has brought a grand-looking manor house back into its rightful glory.

Trends: 2020 TIDA Homes – Designer Homes

Winners, runners-up and finalists

Star News: Big night at architecture awards for Canterbury designers

Canterbury designer Michael John, of AO Architecture, has won a major architecture award for his work on ‘Thornton Earl Manor’ in Cashmere. He received the award on Friday night at the 2020 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards.

Defign Blog: Canterbury and Nelson/Marlborough Architecture Winners Celebrated

The Canterbury/Westland and Nelson/Marlborough ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards were held on Friday night, with 11 designers celebrated from the regions. The awards are one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated architecture awards in the country.

Stuff: From stunning to stylish – Christchurch homes draw praise

Owners of a heritage mansion on Christchurch’s Cashmere hills had just finished a major restoration when the earthquakes hit, causing massive damage.

TIDA Awards 2020

Winner - Designer Homes - Renovation

ADNZ Canterbury/Westland Regional Awards 2020

Winner - Residential Multi-Unit Dwelling - Thornton Earl Manor

Business South: Upper Clutha Rugby Club

After a decade of planning, the Upper Clutha Rugby Club offi cially opened its redeveloped clubrooms at the A&P showgrounds in Wanaka recently. Designed by AO Architecture from Christchurch...

ADNZ National Awards 2019

Finalist - Resene Colour In Design - Mount Gold

ADNZ National Awards 2019

Finalist - Residential New Home over 300m² - Mount Gold

Trends: Strong house in a strong land

Environments don't come more rugged and beautiful than the surrounds of Lake Wanaka in the Southern Alps. This home design echoes that ruggedness while offering cosy interiors to beat the mountain weather.

Trends: 2019 TIDA Homes – Designer Homes

Winners, runners-up and finalists

TIDA Awards 2019

Highly Commended - Designer Homes - Mount Gold

Otago Daily Times: Architectural design winners

Houses with breathtaking views reigned supreme at the 2019 Otago-Southland ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards.

Wanaka Sun: Wanaka houses takes home architecture award

Wanaka is no stranger to homes with breathtaking builds and views; however, two local houses recently reigned supreme at the 2019 Otago/Southland ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards.

Stuff: Award-winning ADNZ homes in Otago take in great views

It's not just large houses that impress both the judges and the public in architecture awards.

Defign Blog: Otago/Southland Winners Announced

On Friday night the Otago/Southland ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards acknowledged the talent of eight designers.

ADNZ Otago/Southland Regional Awards 2019

Winner - Residential New Home over 300m² Architectural Design Award - Mount Gold

ADNZ Otago/Southland Regional Awards 2019

Winner - Resene In Design - Mount Gold

ADNZ Otago/Southland Regional Awards 2019

Runner Up - Commercial/Industrial Architectural Design Award - Ree

BRAND: The Urban Agency – Christchurch: 5 insights from a rising phoenix

How often does a city get an opportunity to reinvent itself? One city that does at the moment is Christchurch.

Business South: AO Architecture

Studying architectural design together at Ara in Christchurch, Nick Mann and Mike John always had the idea that one day they would go into business with each other.

Defign Blog: Intelligent design the common denominator

From a new build intergenerational family asset nesting into its landscape, to a Californian Bungalow led gently and gloriously into the modern era...

Stuff: Canterbury buildings win most in architectural awards

Canterbury has won more awards than in any other region in an architectural design contest, prompting the organiser to remark on the "massive" design opportunities created by the rebuild.

ADNZ National Awards 2018

Finalist - Residential New Home over 300m² - Girvan

Defign Blog: Living Architecture

Depending on who you talk to, the concept of living architecture can represent different things. Its genesis in the Art Nouveau and Functionalism eras earned it the appellation ‘organic architecture’.

Archipro: Industrial Architecture

What can the modern homeowner learn from industrial architecture?

Stuff: Canterbury architectural designers have winning edge, says ADNZ CEO

Canterbury architectural designers can take a pat on the back, having secured the greatest number of ADNZ awards...

ADNZ Canterbury/Westland Regional Awards 2018

Winner - Residential New Home over 300m² Architectural Design Award - Girvan

Defign Blog: The Thick of It

Working in Christchurch city has its challenges. It's dusty, broken and loud. The noises of buildings going up, and those coming down, have become the soundtrack to the working day.