Ben Preston
I work in the
space between
things.
I help organisations and communities find their way through complex projects in housing, infrastructure and the built environment.
Most of my work comes back to one question: how do we do important, complex things together without losing what matters along the way?
I've spent the last decade on this: as a mechanical engineer, as a sustainability consultant in Australia and New Zealand, and as co-founder of two housing businesses, Toa Homes, with Ngāti Toa, and Living Systems Development.
There's good science behind what I do. Cooperation is an evolutionary advantage, not idealism. The groups that learn to work with complexity, instead of against it, are the ones that thrive. I help make that practical.
I co-founded Living Systems Development to demonstrate this. Our first project is Peachgrove East: 48 net-zero Passive House cohousing homes in Hamilton, built without government subsidy. It has been in construction since August 2026. Alongside it, I take on a small number of outside engagements: advisory work, development management, or the right fixed-term contract, in New Zealand, remotely, or overseas.
"Ben's presence made particularly challenging projects much easier for our staff and business. He is genuine, warm-hearted, a solid project lead, great leader and collaborator, and technically top-notch. We'd work with him again in a heartbeat."
— Max Van Biene, Director, Edge Impact
Get in touch
If you're working on something like this, a free 20-minute call is the easiest way to start.