People make the place: O’Neil Architecture

When people think of O’Neil Architecture, it might conjure up images of its award-winning homes scattered throughout New Zealand, or perhaps founder and Principle Designer Darren O’Neil springs to mind.

However, there is a team of talented folk behind the scenes who passionately bring clients’ visions and dream homes to life – guiding clients through the rollercoaster journey that is designing and building their new home and which has helped build the successful and recognised name ‘O’Neil Architecture’ as it stands today.
A tight knit team of eight, the boutique office offers a very personalised high-end service. Senior Designer, David Rea, leads the technical team, collaborating on the designs with Darren for more than 13 years. Their robust, comprehensive approach has been refined over the years; they complement each other, continually questioning and pushing the boundaries to create truly inspired, timeless and elegant homes.
“Clichéd as it sounds, a successful company and the incredible work that is produced is built from the inside out,” David says.
With a positive and challenging working environment and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s obvious why there is such low staff turnover in an age where professionals tend to jump ship every 2-4 years.
So much so that Practice Manager Lucy Ross works from Auckland, commuting weekly after recently moving cities – neither party wanted a complete break! “It’s fantastic to be working for such a flexible and modern company that values and invests in its staff and understands if they’re happy and appreciated, it’s going to show through their work.”