Skip to content Architecture isn’t just about building structures.
It is a way to shape how people live, work, heal, connect, and experience the world.
This isn’t merely a belief at Urban A&O; rather, it actively shapes every step we take.
Awarded the Most Innovative, Sustainable Design Firm in the USA for 4 years consecutively, we specialize in developing unique concepts through research, computational design, and architectural engineering to help organizations get ahead of the curve and make a difference.
As an innovative architecture company, we take great care and interest in all projects we tackle. Our approach is based on the idea that every location, client, and community is different, so we seek a comprehensive understanding of the site’s needs and characteristics. We apply relevant factors to affect the architectural design process positively and develop creative concepts that fulfill specific requirements while interacting with the environment in a harmonious manner.
At our innovative architecture firm, we combine inspiration, innovation, and computational design to conceptualize extraordinary buildings and structures. Computer technologies, digital tools, and future-forward design thinking allow us to consider many variables while optimizing and evaluating the design’s performance potential. This approach helps us to transform the built environment through smart technologies and create stunning buildings that satisfy the client and the target audience while being innovative, efficient, and functional.
When it comes to sustainable architecture design, we think about sustainability in terms of the environment and how design impacts the well-being of the people in the space. At our architecture design firm, we consider all aspects of sustainability, including natural systems, materials, landscape, and construction. We incorporate them into the architectural design to ensure that structures are cost-effective and have a minimal environmental footprint. We also think about building adaptation and flexibility to be able to provide clients with sustainable buildings that enrich life and inspire.
Urban A&O is a modern architecture firm that delivers innovative design solutions across hotels, hospitals, offices, housing, industrial facilities, wellness centers, data centers, and mixed-use developments. We are also always eager to embrace new ways to shape the future of architecture through research, advanced technologies, and forward-thinking design strategies. We specialize in developing concepts and approaches that shape the future built environment and impact the world from an architectural perspective. Our work in the fields of wellness, eco-resorts, business, and leisure concepts demonstrates our ability to deliver stunning architectural design and engineering projects that incorporate unique ideas and state-of-the-art technologies. For us, architecture is about designing environments that inspire people to make a positive change in the world.
Focused on the Built Environment at the nexus of design and carbon performance since 2008, Urban A&O earned double platinum LEED credentials for the California Academy of Sciences and LEED Gold for Johnson & Johnson’s Olympic Pavilion in Beijing that same year. This early work began a decade-plus long trajectory of research and design focused on decarbonization.
Recognized by BUILD as the Most Innovative Sustainable Design Firm in the USA for four consecutive years – 20′22, 20′23, 20′24 and 20′25 – founder Joe MacDonald has spoken at the podium on decarbonization strategy in Bangkok, Dubai, London, and Copenhagen. Joe actively participates on working groups at the international level related to carbon performance, greenhouse gas accounting, and supply chain emissions.
Our carbon neutral building design work is currently underway across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia – from a Triple Net Zero Eco-Resort development on Mykonos to The Hudson Valley Climate Cluster, a groundbreaking 2,000 unit zero emission residential development in New York.
At Urban A&O, we combine research, computational design, architectural engineering, and sustainable design principles to create innovative, future-ready spaces.
Yes. We integrate environmentally responsible materials, site-responsive planning, and efficient design strategies to create high-performing, sustainable buildings.
Urban A&O undertakes various projects including hotels, hospitals, offices, residential communities, industrial facilities, wellness centers, data centers, and mixed-use developments.
We begin every project with in-depth research and a thorough understanding of the site, client, and community to deliver a design tailored to its unique context.
