Spotlight on CA Architects

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California Buildings News • Q2 2020

AO (formerly Architects Orange)

AO (formerly Architects Orange) is a relationship-focused, design-driven architectural services firm helping clients create places where people and business flourish. In the span of 45 years, AO has grown to become the No. 1 architecture firm in Orange County and ranks among the nation’s top 50 architecture firms with 11 design studios including multifamily, retail, hospitality, mixed-use, restaurant, office, industrial, modular, parking, landscape and global design. AO is known for its ardent collaboration with developers and owners and deep expertise across various building types. The AO team of approximately 300 professionals operates from studios in the cities of Orange and San Diego, where it serves clients across the Americas, Asia and beyond.

Vici Little Italy, San Diego, is an award-winning urban mixed-use project design by AO for developer H.G. Fenton Company that transformed a humble street into a community destination featuring 125 residential units, 16,000 square feet of street-level retail and a buzzing 10,000-square-foot public piazza. (See top right. Photo credit John Bahu.) 2nd & PCH, Long Beach is a 220,000-square-foot seaside shopping and dining destination designed by AO for Centercal Properties. 2nd& PCH creates a gateway between Orange County and Long Beach and is destined to become a social hub with its spectacular views of Alamitos Bay and the Long Beach Marina. (See lower right. Photo courtesy of W.E. O’Neil.)

SPOTLIGHT: Great California Architects & Featured Projects

CallisonRTKL

CallisonRTKL is a global architecture, planning and design practice. Over the last 70 years, the practice has created some of the world’s most memorable and successful environments for developers, retailers, investors, institutions and public entities. Its work sets the firm apart as a top-five architecture practice across multiple disciplines and sectors. CallisonRTKL’s L.A. office has played an integral role in the city center’s redevelopment, working extensively on 717 Olympic, 888 at Grand Hope Park, Perla on Broadway and Oceanwide Plaza. CallisonRTKL’s team of nearly 1,500 professionals around the world is committed to advancing its clients’ businesses and enhancing quality of life.

888 at Grand Hope Park: ©Hunter Kerhart, courtesy of CallisonRTKL.