| 89 DEVELOPMENT Living Systems Development - Peachgrove East Grown in Japan. Made in New Zealand. We deliver cedar cladding and Japanese timber products to New Zealand’s leading designers, architects, builders and specifiers. Japanese Timber, Modernised • Exterior Cladding • Interior Panelling • Timber Screening • Solid Wood Flooring sugi.nz +64 27 660 0095 hello@sugi.nz ENQUIRE TODAY New Zealand-owned timber specialist SUGI is bringing the beauty and performance of Japanese timber to architects, designers, builders and homeowners through a range of premium cladding, flooring, panelling and screening products. With more than 30 years’ experience manufacturing timber products for the New Zealand building industry, SUGI combines traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary architectural design. Its speciality is Japanese cedar, known for its distinctive grain, strength and natural durability. “Japanese timber offers a combination of beauty, performance and a connection to traditional craftsmanship that is increasingly valued in modern architecture,” says Camden Andrews, co-founder of SUGI. SUGI’s range includes a wide selection of architectural profiles and finishes allowing projects to achieve different visual effects and maintaining the natural character of timber. Products include exterior cladding, interior panelling, solid wood flooring and timber screening, with profiles available in closed negative, open negative, V-groove negative, shiplap and other formats. A key focus for SUGI is the traditional Japanese craft of Yakisugi, or charred Japanese cedar. Developed in Japan in the 16th century the process involves carefully charring the surface layer of sugi timber to improve longevity, stability and resistance to weather, insects and decay. “The Yakisugi process uses the natural properties of Japanese cedar and transforms the surface of the timber without the need for added chemicals,” explains Camden. “The result is a material with exceptional durability, a distinctive appearance and a finish that develops character over time.” He says Japanese cedar is valued for its tight grain structure, created by slow growth in Japan’s colder climate and mountainous regions. These qualities contribute to timber that is stable, strong and well suited to New Zealand conditions. SUGI offers three Yakisugi finishes: Dento, a traditional charred and oiled finish; Makkuro, which is charred, lightly brushed and oiled; and Wabi Sabi, where the timber is heavily brushed to highlight the natural grain before being finished with oil. Camden says each option provides a different expression of the timber’s texture and colour. The company also supports architects, designers and installers nationwide with a complete design system including CAD files, technical documentation, installation details and specification information. Camden says this helps simplify the process from concept through to construction. He says SUGI’s specialist approach aligns with projects that prioritise sustainability, including Peachgrove East, developed by Living Systems Development. The neighbourhood project will create 48 homes designed around the principles of sustainability, wellbeing and affordability, with thoughtful material choices playing an important role in creating long-lasting, healthy living environments. “We work closely with professionals throughout the design and installation process to help select the right species, profile and finish for each project,” says Camden. “Our goal is to make specialist Japanese timber easier to specify and use, delivering a product that stands the test of time.” T T Karen Phelps All about connection at Peachgrove Peachgrove East will create 48 homes designed around the principles of sustainability, wellbeing and affordability. A new housing development in Hamilton is aiming to challenge traditional ideas of what a neighbourhood can be, combining energy-efficient homes, shared spaces and a stronger focus on community connection. Peachgrove East, developed by Living Systems Development, is the company’s first neighbourhood project, and will create 48 homes designed around the principles of sustainability, wellbeing and affordability. Located in Hamilton East, the development is intended to provide residents with more than just a house, with shared facilities and green spaces designed to encourage connection between neighbours of all ages. Living Systems Development co-founder Rick Fourie says Peachgrove East represents a different approach to housing, where homes are designed alongside the social and environmental systems that support everyday life. “Peachgrove East is about rethinking what home can be,” says Rick. “It is about creating a neighbourhood where people can have a strong sense of belonging, where homes support wellbeing, and where living sustainably is built into the design from the beginning.” The development will feature high-performance homes built using passive house principles, which focus on energy efficiency, warmth, fresh air and comfortable indoor environments. Rick, who co-founded the company with Ben Preston, says these homes are designed to significantly reduce heating and cooling requirements and support healthier living conditions through improved ventilation and insulation. Peachgrove East’s shared amenities include community spaces, gardens, workshops and areas for residents to gather. The development will also incorporate sustainable infrastructure, including renewable energy systems, shared resources and environmentally responsible design features. Rick says the company’s approach is based on the idea that human health and ecological health are closely connected. Living Systems Development has worked with designers, specialists and future residents throughout the process to help shape a neighbourhood that reflects the needs of the people that will live there. “A sense of home is a fundamental human need,” he says. “It gives people a foundation from which they can connect with others, contribute to their community and adapt when life changes. Modern housing often focuses heavily on individual homes overlooking the importance of social connection. Peachgrove East aims to balance privacy with opportunities for connection, allowing residents to choose how involved they want to be in community activities.” Designed by Smith Architects in collaboration with Greenbridge, Rick says the project aims to address some of the challenges facing communities today, including rising living costs, increasing isolation and environmental pressures. The homes at Peachgrove East are planned across different formats – two- to four-bedroom homes, including apartments, townhouses, and three-storey multi-generational homes – to suit a range of households. Stage 1 of Peachgrove East is currently selling, with the first homes expected to be completed in 2027. The developers plan to introduce rent-to-buy schemes.
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