Sunlight washes over pine walls, tracing the knotted grain before climbing into the gable’s peak. A central living space anchors the plan, with two bedrooms to one side, and a third plus the combined bathroom and laundry to the other. It’s a layout that recalls the organisation of the wharenui, the long forms of agricultural woolsheds and the gathering spaces of villa heritage. Each room is wide enough to feel generous, ready to serve as a place to sleep, work or host guests.
Conceived by RTA Studio as a direct response to housing affordability, climate resilience and construction efficiency, the Living House emerged during architect Richard Naish’s mid-career reflection. Determined to embed sustainability and accessibility from the outset, he brought the concept to RTA Studio’s in-house design group, a forum for projects that push beyond client work. From there, Living House was established as its own company — a sister to the architectural practice — so the idea could operate as a product in its own right.
“The brief we gave ourselves was simple: make a home that’s better for people and planet, and build it in a way that makes sense,” says Rich.
Analysis of a typical New Zealand build showed labour made up 40 per cent of the cost. Reducing it became a key driver. The answer was a structural system in crosslaminated timber (CLT), cut to size and delivered like flat-pack furniture. Thirty-six panels form the floor, walls and roof, assembled by a small crew with a crane in just five days. “That’s where the labour disappears,” says Rich. The result is a three-bedroom home delivered for $335,000 above the foundations, setting a new benchmark for architect designed accessibility.
Rotorua was selected for the prototype. As a representative provincial town, it was also close to Red Stag TimberLab’s CLT production base. The construction strips back standard layers, while retaining durability: rigid insulation is fixed directly to the CLT, then wrapped in building paper and clad in corrugated iron, which drains without a separate timber cavity.
Light defines both ends of the living area. ThermalHeart+ joinery from First Windows & Doors frames sliders that open outdoors, with raked glazing above following the roofline. Together they form walls of glass, drawing in daylight and extending the ways the interior is experienced.
In the bedrooms and bathroom, a mix of awning and fixed glazing allows ventilation at any time of day, introducing gentler light in contrast to the openness of the communal zone. Thermally improved aluminium profiles, glazed with AGP glass, support year-round comfort, while keeping the detailing clean and minimal.
Inside, CLT provides more than structure. The 126mm-thick pine walls lend the rooms a calm solidity, their grain and scent softening the precision of the assembly. At 85sqm, the footprint is modest. The four-metre stud in the main living area adds volume, while each of the three bedrooms measures 12sqm.
Energy efficiency was built in from the start. Through a partnership with Fisher & Paykel Home Solutions, the home includes solar panels, heat-pump systems for water and space heating, and efficient appliances. Over a 50-year lifespan, it’s projected to generate more energy than it consumes, making the house climate-positive.
“Affordability isn’t just about purchase price — it’s about running costs, too,” says Rich. This three-bedroom layout was the first typology developed, with two- and one bedroom versions in progress. Each comes with pre-consented plans and a fixed price, so a builder can be engaged directly. The design works as a stand-alone home or in groups for papakāinga or aged care, and leaves scope for owners to add over time — decks, cabinetry, wardrobes — without altering the core framework.
With New Zealand’s mass-timber industry increasing capacity, Rich is optimistic that this approach will become more commonplace. “We’ve built houses the same way for more than 150 years. This is a faster, more efficient and better approach for the environment.” Living House carries that intent into everyday life, aiming to make the possibility of living well at home more accessible across Aotearoa.
