Amara Oakleigh South delivers modern medium-density living with James Hardie

The Amara Oakleigh South project in a leafy corner of southeast Melbourne is a testament to how new residential developments can be modern, visually stunning and highly functional. Built by Balmain & Co., this medium-density development saw the construction of 96 townhouses on the site of a former school.

Despite being delivered during a difficult time in the industry – in the midst of a pandemic – Hardie™ products and solutions helped the project to kick huge goals, which was met with major enthusiasm from homeowners. Here’s how Amara came to life.

Meeting market demands with a modern vision

Balmain & Co. envisioned the Amara Townhouses to meet the growing demand for high-quality, stylish homes in the Oakleigh South area. The ultimate goal of the project was to construct contemporary homes that cater to modern living needs while making sure the structures themselves are highly durable and low maintenance. This approach resonated well with the market, particularly during Victoria’s lockdowns, when the preference for semi-detached and detached housing increased.

“The development had been around for a period of time,” says Ricky Smith, Construction Manager at Balmain & Co. “It was the perfect time because these are semi-detached and detached housing, which were always going to sell a lot faster than apartment blocks.”

While the original spec favoured an autoclaved aerated concrete solution, it soon became clear that a more versatile and efficient solution like Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding would be much better suited to a large medium density development. In particular, products like Axon™ Cladding and Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding enable streamlined installation that can help developers reduce on-site costs.

“These cladding products mean you can have fewer trades as they can be installed by the carpenter crew,” says Florent, National Business Development Manager for Major Projects at James Hardie. “You can have the carpenters doing the framing also doing the cladding, so you can reduce trades on-site and can significantly increase your efficiencies.”

How Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding supported the Amara vision

One of the biggest challenges of the Amara project was managing construction timelines and costs without compromising on quality. The selection of materials played a critical role in overcoming these hurdles. Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding helped to save time, cost and complexity in the building process.

As the panels come pre-sealed and ready to paint on the same day as installation (once any additional sealants have cured), it made the entire construction process more streamlined. Hardie™ embedded texture technology also helped to create beautiful consistent textures without the need for artisan tradespeople.

“The ability to give the rendered look while being efficient with our progress on-site was the fundamental reason for the selection of the Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding in particular,” Smith says.

But beyond the streamlined installation progress, Balmain & Co. needed a supplier that would be able to deliver a large amount of product over the life of the build without being delayed by unexpected bottlenecks or external issues.

“This particular project was built during COVID, where there were major material shortages particularly with imported products,” Florent says. “We never had that issue because James Hardie manufactures locally in Australia. Builders don’t want to be waiting for products.”

Balmain & Co. chose Axon™ Cladding, Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding and Secura™ Flooring for their contemporary look and ease of installation. These products provided a seamless finish that met the high standards set for Amara, while also allowing for a quick and streamlined installation.

On-site support from James Hardie

James Hardie’s involvement with Amara went well beyond just supplying core materials. The team also delivered critical support throughout the project’s lifecycle, from design consultation to regular site audits.

“James Hardie’s Install & Construction Business Development Manager team worked closely with us and the builder,” says Pete Farrell from Pete’s Render. An experienced installer, he and his team took care of the brunt of the cladding work, which Farrell estimates was approximately 60% Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding and 40% other products, including Axon™ Cladding.

“Whenever the builder requested that James Hardie’s team come on-site and have a look at our work, it was all very straightforward,” he adds. “There were never any problems. Having installed Axon™ Cladding for 10 to 15 years now, we know how easy the product is to work with. Even though the Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding panel was new to market, everything was simple.”

Building a lifestyle

The use of Hardie™ exterior cladding products in the Amara project has set a new benchmark for durability and long-lasting beauty in medium density developments. And for Balmain & Co., they love the fact that choosing James Hardie as a key supplier means they can trust that the products are manufactured to the highest standards – and these townhouses are built using Hardie™ exterior cladding products which have been engineered to stand up to the elements for many years to come.

“We haven't had a single facade leak, which is massive considering the amount of square metres that went under those buildings,” says Chris Sheerin, Project Manager at Balmain & Co.

“We have a vested interest to ensure that we can carry the builder’s warranty on this project. We also needed a cladding which could stand up to the elements over time with low maintenance. Hardie™ cladding combined with Hardie™ Wrap Weather Barrier and other accessories was an easy choice for us and helped us to build a system we had confidence in.”

There are countless positive takeaways from the Amara Oakleigh South project – not just for the developers, but for the builders and the homeowners themselves. From the combination of cost savings and less complexity by using Hardie™ products and solutions, to giving homeowners a high-quality façade that always stands out – even among 96 townhouses – the thoughtful material selection proves that Hardie™ exterior cladding products is an attractive choice for medium density developments.