Our Practice

O'Neil + Architecture is an award-winning practice that has been designing luxury residential homes in New Zealand for over 20 years. Founder and Principal Darren O’Neil heads this Christchurch-based boutique practice, along with Senior Designer Jacinda Shirley, Senior Technical Designer Phil Ngenang, and Practice Manager Lucy Ross.

We specialise and focus on high quality residential design with the purpose of providing exceptional outcomes by intentionally limiting the number of projects undertaken. Everything we do is unique, no two projects are ever the same.

We create a service package to match your specific needs, ensuring a personalised experience from concept to completion. Each project is assessed and quoted individually, our fee structure is competitive and depending on the project we can usually offer a fixed price quotation.

Our close-knit team of 7 operates like a well-oiled machine. We believe we embody the best of both worlds – we're agile and small enough to provide a truly personalised service, while also boasting the wealth of experience of a larger firm.

We collaboratively work with you to draw out the unique and personal traits that make a house a home - understanding your brief is key to finding imaginative and thoughtful designs. We integrate your brief with the desired design aesthetic, and respond in a contemporary and timeless manner to the unique circumstances and environment of each site. Our commitment to delivering the highest quality documentation to your builder ensures that they can build you an inspired, and enduring home. This comprehensive approach provides our clients with a rewarding journey and a truly superb home that exceeds all expectations.

Our Philosophy

At O'Neil + Architecture, our team's primary focus is on designing livable, functional, and aesthetically beautiful spaces that enrich the everyday lifestyles of our clients. Our goal is to build for the future and to build responsibly; conserving energy and resources during construction and throughout your home’s life. We build long-term relationships with clients, builders and consultants based on open communication and clear delivery strategies.

Making homes is a serious endeavour, but we believe it should be enjoyable for all involved.

Our goal is to make your design journey as stress-free and as engaging as possible. It begins here and ends long after you move in to your new home.

We’ll work with you every step of the way to make sure you understand the process, what’s involved and what you need to do. Here’s a brief look at what happens during each phase.