Modern Classical mastery: Orton Haus duplex with Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding

Modern Classical mastery: Orton Haus duplex with Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding

With timeless finishes and an adaptable, market-savvy layout, the Orton Haus duplex should be studied for how its smart material choices and interior design discipline delivered both aesthetic grandiosity and commercial appeal.

Built by Justine and Luke Orton of Ort and Co Building, the project used Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding from the Hardie™ Architectural Collection to craft a Modern Classical look with all the practical trimmings.

Design restraint with broad appeal

A major design consideration for the Ortons was to build something that felt both modern and refined, but also broad enough to suit the local market.

“We wanted to bring in new ideas but also keep it appealing to a wide audience,” Justine says. “It was a balance of budget and freshness, making sure it felt new while still resonating with everyone. It’s always a bit of a juggle.”

The interior design was led by neutral palettes with standout details that could be built in-house.

“I got Luke to curve the kitchen wall and I added curved detailing into the balustrade design,” Justine says. “It looks fresh and considered, but with a calm, neutral palette so when people walk in it feels inviting.”

Both sides of the duplex share the same layout but diverge subtly in styling, with different tapware and finishings. “One has brushed gold whereas the other has brushed nickel. One has a more pink tone and the other has a more cream tone.”

The result is a dual dwelling that feels utterly bespoke while at the same time exuding the ‘throughline’ of a considered Modern Classical blueprint.

Smart layouts for adaptable living

Designed with everyday living in mind, the Orton Haus layout is grounded in being as functional (and flexible) as possible – two of the most in-demand traits in Australian homes today.

“We love having a downstairs bedroom that could be either a study or a guest room,” Justine says. “Or if it’s a family that has an older parent living with them, they’ve got the option of their parent being downstairs living comfortably and then having the rest of the bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs.”

It’s a level of adaptability that really speaks to the growing demand for intergenerational living and multi-use spaces. After all, modern homes that serve multiple purposes – accommodating everyone from young families to downsizers and extended families under one roof – will be top of the pecking order in years to come.

Why Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding was the perfect fit

For Justine and Luke, Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding was a natural choice to achieve the full wrap Modern Classical look they were after.

“It has that render look, which gives you that modern yet classic Mediterranean look and feel and adds something textural and exciting. It’s an easier process than rendering and can be more cost-effective, so it was the perfect match.”

As Justine puts it, Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding gives you that clean, modern rendered look of a masonry finish, without the hassle and delays of traditional rendering. The pre-textured, pre-primed panels are ready to paint and always give you the most consistent, fine-grain texture across the façade.

The Ortons also appreciated the ease of installation and cost savings from using their own team: “Our team of chippies can easily install it, which is a huge cost saver for us. We can order it ourselves, install it ourselves and manage that process. So in that sense, we can do it all ourselves in-house, which helps save time and money.”

Advice for other designers and builders

Justine’s biggest advice for anyone looking to emulate their success is to stay in touch with your market and the style of the time.

“Check the market,” she says. “What’s selling in the area? Because that is huge. We did another duplex where one had a neutral style and one had a more industrial feel, and we got $50,000 less for one side, because that’s not what was selling at that time.”

Cohesion is equally important, she adds: “Have a mood board and stick to that style, really lean into it – you’ll get a flow and feel from the outside through the inside.”

For Justine and Luke, products like Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding support their long-term design and construction goals: “We use Axon™ Cladding, we use Linea™ Weatherboard, we use it all.”

Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding is part of the Hardie™ Architectural Collection – a curated suite of premium fibre cement products designed for modern looks and quick installations.

With clean lines, fine texture and a painted render look, it’s the best choice for builders and designers who want to create Modern Classical homes with timeless appeal.