Why Modern Classical is the design solution for multi-generational families

Key Summary

Modern Classical design is emerging as a leading solution for multi-generational living in Australia, combining timeless style with flexible layout.

Key features include:

• Clear zoning to balance togetherness and privacy

• Arches and curves that create intuitive movement.

• Integrated indoor–outdoor spaces.

• Adaptable floor plans with secondary suites and layered living zones.

• Durable material choices

Rising housing pressures, changing family structures and longer lifespans are reshaping how we plan and live in our homes, and the Modern Classical home design is perfectly suited to this shift.

As architect Justin Logan from Obi Office explains, layouts need to be flexible as the family and home evolve.

“This house design might be for a larger family or for a family who are looking to have grandparents live under the same roof as multiple children,” he says, noting that flexibility and accessibility are key.

“The Modern Classical design blends structure and softness, curved forms, timeless symmetry and spaces designed for comfort, longevity and multigenerational life.”

As a result, the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2026 shows Modern Classical not just as a design style, but a framework for the practical realities of family life.

How do you design a Modern Classical home to evolve?

Logan describes the Modern Classical home design as inherently flexible with adaptable zones and secondary suites.

“This design suits a larger site or space,” he says. “And it’s timeless with flexibility built into it, so you can add a fifth bedroom, or a second master suite at the front of the property with its own en suite.”

Through modular zoning and vertical layering, Modern Classical homes can develop as the family’s needs change.

Upstairs-downstairs separation, quiet retreats and generous shared zones create a natural rhythm between privacy and togetherness.

Why are secondary entry points so essential for multi-gen living?

“Multi-gen living needs to be flexible,” says Logan. “Having secondary entry points and different connections to garage spaces, rather than just a single entryway, work well in Modern Classical homes. Take, for example, a side portico entrance; it is a “fundamental” design choice in this modern house style.

Having a “second master suite at the front of the property with its own en suite” is also great, says Logan, as it “adds to the accessibility” of the multi-generational home.

Other design ideas that support this accessibility include:

• Wide, stair-free circulation

• Living spaces which run alongside the pool and form a social centre, with arched thresholds and a calm, resort-like flow; and

• Generous pathways and adaptable structural planning ensure effortless movement today and easy upgrades tomorrow, maintaining both comfort and architectural integrity.

What are the hallmarks of a Modern Classical house design, and why do they suit multi-gen families?

• Structured softness: A balance of straight-edged facades and soft curves creates a refined yet welcoming silhouette. Flat roofs and boxed forms are softened by arches and rounded transitions. This adds calm to shared spaces, ideal for different generations living together.

• Contemporary archways: Curved doorways and arched black steel windows add sculptural interest but also guide movement through the home. These softened transitions create an intuitive flow between shared and private zones.

• Neutral colours: Muted creams, botanic greens and grounding earth tones establish a warm, timeless feel. Neutral palettes create harmony across generations and provide flexibility for evolving tastes and interiors.

• Quality materials: Try products such as stone wall cladding from RMS Traders, and the Cora wall light from About Space.

• Integrated biophilia: Potted plants, hedging and green walls connect the home to nature, enhancing wellbeing for all ages. Indoor-outdoor integration encourages shared living but also allows for quieter moments of reflection.

• Interiors: Soft curves, natural light and tactile materials create calm, comfortable spaces. Intentional layouts and seamless transitions support easy movement, flexible zoning and long-term liveability.

Quality material choices that support longevity

The right materials are key to reinforcing the quiet sophistication of the Modern Classical house style, which is why James Hardie’s array of exterior and trim product lines are the ideal choice. Combine these products for a textured finish that has depth and a calm simplicity:

• Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture: Its tactile finish complements Modern Classical’s structured softness and adds quiet depth to both straight-edged and curved forms.

• Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding: Think soft, organic texture. It’s ideal for ground floor applications, complements curved forms and grounds the home in understated elegance.

• Axon™ Cladding Smooth 400mm: Clean and contemporary, the wide 400mm groove spacing adds height and architectural sophistication to any Modern Classical home.

• Hardie™ Gravis™ Panel: Available in flooring panels or wall panels, this product can be used in conjunction with Hardie™ fibre cement to create striking Modern Classical facades. It’s also ideal for noise control in multi-generational households.