Cohousing + passive housing at Peachgrove East

Click to enlarge

Three-storey four-bedroom and multi-generational homes overlooking the village green Image: Smith Architects

1 of 8

Pedestrian entrance with gathering space, Po and native planting. Image: Smith Architects

2 of 8

Semi private backyard overlooking miniature woodland and village green. Image: Smith Architects

3 of 8

One and two-bed apartments fronting Peachgrove Road. Image: Smith Architects

4 of 8

Two and three-bed homes overlooking the car parking. Image: Smith Architects

5 of 8

Shared path and woodland looking into private backyards. Image: Smith Architects

6 of 8

Three-storey family homes overlooking māra kai and the play area for kids and adults. Image: Smith Architects

7 of 8

One and two-bed apartment access from the village green. Image: Smith Architects

8 of 8

The new development promises to make home ownership possible with low deposits and sustainable payments.

The development by Living Systems Development in Hamilton, Peachgrove East, is a 48-unit cohousing neighbourhood designed by Smith Architects in collaboration with Greenbridge.

The project combines Passive House-quality homes with shared community facilities, including a common house, workshop and community green — drawing from exemplars of overseas models of medium-density living.

Located near Claudelands Park and a 10-minute bike ride from Hamilton CBD and the University of Waikato, the development arranges 48 timber-framed homes around a central green, with shared facilities including a common house, makerspace and sauna. Freehold homes we have been advised will start from $500,000, and are slated to be available in early 2026.

Phil Smith of Smith Architects says, “At Smith Architects, we don’t believe better housing comes from repeating standard solutions. Peachgrove East challenged us to think differently — about how homes perform, how neighbours connect, and how architecture can actively support wellbeing. This urban village shows what’s possible when we question assumptions and design for whole human outcomes, not minimum standards.”

Ben Preston of Living Systems says, “Business and society can’t succeed if people don’t have a pathway to ways of living that feel reliable, inspiring and desirable. I genuinely want to see New Zealanders realise the potential in our communities, and for us, we need to start by consistently delivering homes that people have a realistic pathway to ownership and longevity, and that help people thrive for the long term. That’s what we’re setting out to do, and that’s what Peachgrove East is all about: Widening our sense of imagination — in a practical way — about what homes and neighbourhoods can and should be in Aotearoa.”

You can learn more about Living Systems Development and Peachgrove East here.