Design Flex

James Hardie’s range of fibre-cement products offers hard-wearing, efficient cladding systems, promising flexibility and design freedom.

Regional migration has driven a distinct move to a style James Hardie calls Modern Farmhouse. Characterised by expansive sites, these locations suit larger, double-storey homes that blend work and home life. They often feature multiple interconnected buildings suitable for intergenerational living. Blending traditional and contemporary elements, this look presents the perfect combination of old and new. Clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic combine with classic foundations. Balance and symmetry, the use of natural materials and a neutral colour palette are all key. Traditional elements emerge with the use of weatherboard cladding and gabled rooflines. Large windows and soaring ceilings balance grandeur with traditional charm. In this house near Wānaka, Tony Bennett of Tab Design arranged two gabled pavilions around a series of courtyards connected by an entry foyer. Stria™ Cladding contrasts with rusticated cedar weatherboards and in-situ concrete for a hard-wearing, classically alpine look.

Design Flex

James Hardie’s range of fibre-cement products offers hard-wearing, efficient cladding systems, promising flexibility and design freedom.

Regional migration has driven a distinct move to a style James Hardie calls Modern Farmhouse. Characterised by expansive sites, these locations suit larger, double-storey homes that blend work and home life. They often feature multiple interconnected buildings suitable for intergenerational living. Blending traditional and contemporary elements, this look presents the perfect combination of old and new. Clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic combine with classic foundations. Balance and symmetry, the use of natural materials and a neutral colour palette are all key. Traditional elements emerge with the use of weatherboard cladding and gabled rooflines. Large windows and soaring ceilings balance grandeur with traditional charm. In this house near Wānaka, Tony Bennett of Tab Design arranged two gabled pavilions around a series of courtyards connected by an entry foyer. Stria™ Cladding contrasts with rusticated cedar weatherboards and in-situ concrete for a hard-wearing, classically alpine look.

Issue 32

Partner Content

Story by Simon Farrell-Green

As well as regional migration, there’s a distinct preference for a greener lifestyle and a greater connection to the environment. Enter the Barn style, with its clear diagrammatic forms and clean lines. The cost-effective nature of this style is driven by a simpler, more authentic way of life. The design is inspired by Nordic minimalism and allows for a strong relationship between the structure and its surrounds. While the prominent gable is instantly recognisable, modern interpretations play with roof lines to create asymmetry and use bold shades to stand out from the crowd. The simplicity of shape and cladding call out for confident colour blocking in terracotta, red and even pastels. In this house by PXA Architects, Oblique™ Weatherboard, installed vertically, is paired with recycled bricks for a smartly rustic look.

Over the past few years, the brand has conducted research in both Aotearoa and Australia, discovering what homeowners need – and providing unique insights into how we live now. James Hardie’s Julie Sinclair tells us more.

‍

Here: How are our houses different now?

‍

Julie Sinclair: Our research has identified a number of influential lifestyle themes that are shaping the way homes are designed and built – including Modern Farmhouse, Barn, Japandi and Box Modern (case studies follow). Additionally, the ongoing housing crisis has called for increased building efficiency, accelerating novel ways to build and renovate for less, with sustainability and community in mind. The home is taking a starring role in providing a haven to repair and restore our mental, physical and social wellbeing. Flexibility and adaptability are more valuable than ever to cater for evolving household dynamics where the home takes many forms. With changes in building codes and the visibility of extreme weather events, resilience in our homes has become a necessity over a nice-to-have.

‍

H: What are some of the design freedoms James Hardie products present?

‍

JS: They can be painted a large variety of colours, including darker shades, which is not always possible with other products. There’s a lot of flexibility in application. Oblique^™ Weatherboard – a ship-lapped weatherboard with a splayed edge – and Stria^™ Cladding, with its distinctive square-edged, deep grooved line, can be installed vertically or horizontally. Axon^™ Panel Smooth has multiple options for different finishes – it can be painted smooth or with texture, can be used in board-and-batten designs, or can be rendered. And Linea^™ Weatherboard provides a long, clean horizontal profile, which creates a deep shadow line. They’re all designed to complement each other, allowing for mixed-cladding designs.

‍

H: How do James Hardie products hold up in our demanding climate?

‍

JS: Our products are engineered to perform in New Zealand weather, including coastal conditions. Investing in cladding that’s built to withstand the elements is essential for long-lasting protection and peace of mind. James Hardie fibre-cement products also offer resistance to fire, rot and moisture damage.

‍

H: Upfront cost is one thing, but lifetime maintenance is increasingly a consideration.

‍

JS: James Hardie products are low-maintenance. With planned upkeep, such as periodic washdowns using low-pressure water and mild soap, and repainting in accordance with the paint manufacturer guidelines, you can keep your home looking great for many years to come. You don’t need to refinish every two to three years like you do with some other materials. James Hardie fibre-cement cladding products resist shrinking, swelling and warping – and this can help to maintain your paint finish for longer.

‍

James Hardie

jameshardie.co.nz