Richard Naish

What you draw is what you mean. That’s a core philosophy that Richard picked up from a tutor at the University of Auckland and has held close ever since.
Inspired by the tutelage of Claude Megson, who instilled in him the importance of the human spirit in architecture, Richard worked as a graduate at Jasmax before heading off to London, where at ORMS, the added responsibility of major, heritage-based commissions and mentoring less-experienced staff truly hooked him into the profession.
When Richard founded RTA Studio in 1999, he was determined to set up a practice with a strategic direction shaped by ‘New Zealand-ness’, producing work that responded sympathetically to people, landscape and culture.
These values have been enhanced by the practice’s commitment to environmentally sustainable design, a singular force which has underpinned the crafting of some exemplar projects on a global scale.
Under Richard’s design-centric leadership, RTA Studio has won more than 100 local, national and international architecture awards. A sense for adventure permeates the portfolio; whether small-scale or large urban interventions, these projects echo Richard’s own courageous spirit.
Exploration and innovation motivate him at work and at play. Adventuring in his Taranaki backyard as a child, segued into mountain biking as a uni student - pursuits that were forerunners of his interest in brave architecture that tackles the big issues.
A long-time explorer of art and photography, from his home workshop Richard produces pieces that blur the intersection between sculpture and furniture, function and art.

“I was determined to develop an architecture that sprang from what was important to me.”