Modern Coastal marvel in Byron Bay heroes Linea™ Weatherboard

A contemporary interpretation of traditional coastal design, Modern Coastal design is inspired by the Australian way of life and beach-shack history. It’s a style that takes the very best of minimalist design and harmonises it with open-plan living to create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Modern Coastal allows homeowners to express their personal style while illuminating the landscaping from all angles. Exteriors often combine crisp white weatherboards with contemporary clean lines, reflective of care-free summer days, while Modern Coastal interiors are light-filled and breezy.

Let’s explore how Futureflip’s founder and director Neil Hipwell took total control of building his dream Byron Bay holiday home, and how Linea™ Weatherboard and Hardie™ Groove Lining helped him deliver a Modern Coastal marvel.

Wearing all the hats at once

There are few places in Australia more perfect for a Modern Coastal home than Byron Bay. The idyllic NSW destination is home to a diverse population with unique tastes and a flare for doing things a little differently. So it made sense that Neil Hipwell would want to create his coastal masterpiece right here. As client, designer and builder all in one, Hipwell knew it would be a challenging – but ultimately rewarding – project.

“I chose to take a very hands-on role in every aspect of this home for my family, leading our in-house design team and managing the build myself,” he says. “My wife has also been very involved in the entire process as this is a passion project for both of us.”

Hipwell wanted something modern and light-filled that aligned with the laid-back coastal energy of Byron Bay. It also needed to have all the hallmarks of a family home, with space for all the extended family under one roof and plenty of entertaining areas.

“It’s no secret that I love a sleek modern design with concrete and timber – but for this house we also really wanted that relaxed, coastal and family-focused feel. That was the priority for this project. A Modern Coastal home was the obvious choice.

“For us, that relaxed coastal and wholesome family feel has become synonymous with Linea™ Weatherboard, so the moment we knew that that was the feeling we wanted for this home, we also knew we would be working with Linea™ Weatherboard. The product was really one of the cornerstones of the early concept.”

The right cladding can solve any problem

“There were some heritage requirements that we needed to meet in order for the design to be approved,” Hipwell says. “Using Linea™ Weatherboard helped to fulfil these requirements, which took the ‘challenge’ out of it. We used Linea™ Weatherboard and Linea™ Aluminium Corner Soakers as the hero, and paired them with some concrete elements for a modern take on the nostalgic beach house.”

As the property is in the very heart of Byron Bay, there was always the risk of it being less private – but that wasn’t something Hipwell’s family were willing to compromise on.

“We wanted to create an oasis right in the centre of the town, so we incorporated higher fencing around the perimeter. We used Linea™ Weatherboard to elevate the more prominent areas of the fence. This added light and intentionality to the exterior spaces, giving an enticing feeling of privacy and seclusion.”

The home also had to comply with a 7-star BASIX rating and there were some areas of BAL 12.5 rating to consider. Beyond the technical aspects, Hipwell says he just fell in love with how the cladding matched his vision for the home.

Streamlining the build with Hardie™ Exterior Cladding

Hipwell and his Futureflip team tend to gravitate towards James Hardie brand products and solutions because of their durability and streamlined installation. And this held true for ‘Banks at Byron’.

“We featured Linea™ Weatherboard on the first-floor facade, sides and rear. We then used Hardie™ Groove Lining on the internal and alfresco ceilings. The two products lend themselves perfectly to the Modern Coastal design.”

While Linea™ Weatherboard was chosen primarily for the aesthetic value it brought to the design, Hipwell says it was a choice made even easier by all of the practical checkboxes for builders.

“I had an ambitious time-frame for the build, so the fact that installation is easier and faster was huge,” he says. “That translates to money saved, so the product was perfect for our budget.

“We come back to Hardie™ products and accessories time and time again. They are both elegant and practical – which can be a rare combination.”

Owning a design and build company means Hipwell has to trust that the products he uses will stand up both from a design perspective and from a build perspective. With Hardie™ fibre cement products, he’s able to create stunning facades and know that every product installation will be executed easily, with the client getting a product that will stand the test of time – in this case, Hipwell himself.

“We honestly couldn’t be happier with how our home turned out,” he says.