This programme champions meaningful architecture and our entry ticks that box in several ways. Firstly, it embodies the benefits of mass timber construction – the world’s most sustainable building methodology that sequesters carbon to mitigate climate change. Secondly, through cultural engagement with local hapū, historical references and motifs are acknowledged in the design. Finally, a centralised oasis, planted with some of the original flora, regenerates the land and feeds into the surrounding wetlands.
Going up against mega-skyscrapers and uber architectural firms from around the globe is massive, but when it comes to meaningful recognition, it doesn’t get more personal than scooping a prize for your own home. That’s what happened when RTA Studio founder Richard Naish’s Grey Lynn house in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland was named Home of the Decade by HOME magazine. This prestigious accolade, from a publication that has a history stretching back to the 1930s, was judged between 10 residences that had been awarded Home of the Year status from 2016 to 2025. Rich’s place, dubbed the ‘E-type house’ for a floorplan that steps up the hillside in three blocks with interstitial spaces in between, was the oldest property in the line-up, so something of a surprise winner.
With roof forms that set up a dialogue with the surrounding bungalows, the house sits easily in this heritage neighbourhood. Although novel, the layout was not a folly, but driven by function, with a staircase spine as the common link. Sandwiched between the built forms, garden-room courtyards ensure there’s adequate cross ventilation and the distributed plan allows sun to penetrate the forms as it tracks east, north and west.
Rich says the trio of two-storey pods is like “an accordion” in that they have provided flexibility for the Naish family - as the children grew up, rotated rooms, and then headed to university. There’s no feeling of being empty nesters since living can be primarily done in one of the pods, with spaces metamorphosising from piano rooms to a home office, or bedrooms to band practise.
While professionally the Home of the Decade award is an honour, personally it’s a once in a lifetime achievement.
PS: Our warehouse conversion office in Kingsland was also shortlisted in the 2025 Interior Awards.