Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding brings budget-friendly beauty to this beach house

When owner Hayley Jones and her family set about building their dream home in the laidback coastal suburb of Bogangar, NSW, their vision was to create something modern, warm and Mediterranean in feel. All this while staying true to the home’s surrounding oceanside landscape.

The result? A stunning yet functional home that features curved walls, contrasting materials and exceptional cladding from the Hardie™ Architectural Collection. A home achieved through collaboration and passion with a team that included a designer, architect and interior designer.

“I found inspiration from a lot of coastal beach houses in the area; I loved all the curves and the light, bright feeling of them. Our interior designer brought the Mediterranean feel into the design, however, it’s less rustic and has more of a modern coastal vibe to it.” Jones says.

Working closely with interior designer Sarah Groves from Tennyson + Daley, the home balances Mediterranean influence with a modern coastal sensibility.

“Material selections were inspired by the home's coastal location with a focus on the use of natural stones and timber. Fixtures, fittings and bespoke joinery elements were curated to feel seamless and intentional. Furniture, lighting, and art were then layered in to complete the story, balancing sculptural form with comfort, liveability and restraint. Each piece contributes to a home that feels both refined and deeply grounded,” said Groves.

A soft, curved approach to modern design

Nathan Brown, the building designer behind this project, understood that softness and movement were must-have elements to the design.

“Sculptural curves were integral in shaping both the visual identity and the spatial experience of the home,” Brown says. “They soften the strong architectural lines, creating a natural rhythm that flows through the landscape and interior spaces. The curves echo the surrounding coastal environment, allowing the architecture to feel as though it belongs to the landscape rather than feeling as though it was imposed upon it.”

Brushed concrete without the price tag

One of the standout elements of the home is the Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding.

“It definitely saved us time and money,” Jones says. “It allowed us to have the look that we wanted throughout the exterior of the house without blowing the budget.

“We rendered the front of the house and part of the sides where we could see more of the external, however all the service areas in the back of the house feature Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding, resulting in it looking seamless.”

Ready for coastal conditions

As the house is located in a bushfire-prone area near the coast, the material choices for the build needed to tick all the boxes for durability, compliance and weather protection.

“We do have to factor bushfire zoning in,” says Jones. “That’s why the builders suggested James Hardie for some of the cladding – the exterior cladding is the right fit that can hit the required BAL ratings.”

Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding is made from Hardie™ fibre cement, which is both non-combustible and resistant to warping, swelling and shrinking – so is suitable for use in bushfire zones up to BAL40 and exposed coastal environments.

A collaborative, cost-effective custom build

Jones worked with Brown on the original design, followed by interior designer Sarah Groves from Tennyson + Daley on the overarching design direction for this project – from finishes and fittings through to furniture and art procurement and installation. Brown set the tone early, nailing the homes design from the start.

“We started off with building designer Nathan Brown and he pulled together the plans and the drawings for us; he nailed them almost straight away,” Jones says.

With a larger block to work with, the team could avoid issues like odd shapes or limited access. But time and budget were still major factors – which is why Brown gravitated toward Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding from the outset.

“Designing for a coastal environment requires thoughtful material selection and detailing to ensure longevity and minimal maintenance,” Brown says.

“The home’s finishes and structural components were chosen to withstand salt air, humidity and strong coastal winds without compromising on aesthetics. Low-maintenance materials like Hardie™ Brushed Concrete were prioritised so that the home would stay both beautiful and functional over time, withstanding the demands of the Bogangar climate.”

A perfect finish the family loves

This isn’t Hayley’s first time building with Hardie™ products – in a previous build, she used Linea™ Weatherboard to achieve a Hamptons-style facade. Nonetheless her latest home shows the true design versatility of the Hardie™ Architectural Collection.

“We are very happy,” Jones says. “It looks seamless. It’s easy to clean and easy to maintain.”

With curves that soften, cladding that performs and finishes that take the home’s architectural intent to the next level, this beach house is proof you don’t need a huge budget to build something utterly bespoke.