PB 1A105137 2024-02-13 15.10.50 R3

In our Modern Heritage Handbook, BuildHer Collective founder Rebeka Morgan shares her expertise and experience in bringing the Modern Heritage look to life. Having worked on some incredible projects transforming Edwardian and Victorian homes, she knows how to find that perfect balance between old and new.

As part of our Design Handbook series for 2024, we’ve collaborated with Rebeka Morgan of BuildHer Collective to show you how to create the Modern Heritage look, inside and out.

The Modern Heritage architectural style elevates traditional homes through sensitive restoration and bold renovation, with contrast as the defining element.

2322 James Hardie Modern Heritage - 2. Exterior Similar - Side or Rear copy

Elevated, defined & reimagined

02 Modern Heritage

The key to successful cladding on Modern Heritage homes is embracing the contrast between old and new. When the heritage section of a home displays horizontal weatherboards and ornate details, the modern extension can make a statement with the clean lines of Hardie™ exterior cladding.

JH Product Mortises HardieGroove Square lighter

hardie-deck-product-mortise-jameshardie-5 (1)

Complementary Products

The unique square and angled edges evoke a bold, contemporary aesthetic which juxtaposes perfectly against heritage facades.

Barn Oblique300 Wide

2322 James Hardie Modern Herita

The subtle sand- like texture and fine matte finish allows distinct architectural and heritage features to stand out.

fine-texture-cladding-product-mortise-jameshardie-5

The embedded textured finish gives renovations and extensions a modern, minimalist aesthetic to delicately contrast the heritage building.

brushed-concrete-cladding-product-mortise-jameshardie-3

The panels reflect the beauty and timeless detail of painted vertical joint timber, but without time- consuming board construction or durability hassles.

axon-cladding-product-mortise-jameshardie-1

Cladding Solutions

Dulux® Sell Out
Wattyl Paris Dusk
Taubmans® Saxby Blue

Dulux® COLORBOND® Deep Ocean®
Wattyl COLORBOND® Steel Deep Ocean®
Taubmans® COLORBOND® Deep Ocean®

Dulux® Vivid White
Wattyl White
Taubmans® Brilliant White

Scheme Two

Dulux® COLORBOND® Monument®
Wattyl COLORBOND® steel Monument®
Taubmans® COLORBOND® Monument®

Dulux® Terrace White
Wattyl Earth Child
Taubmans® Winter Mist

Dulux® Lexicon® Half
Wattyl Breeze
Taubmans® Crisp White

Scheme One

A colour palette with contrasting tones is essential to achieve the Modern Heritage look, creating balance, cohesion and harmony throughout the house.

A muted monochrome palette will allow the original character of the house to shine through whilst showcasing the materials, fixtures and fittings of the modern renovation.

PB 1A104874 2024-02-13 15.09.44 R3

Modern Heritage

The Modern Heritage colour palate is a perfect articulation of old meets new, with colour connecting and complementing the heritage and contemporary elements in the house.

Colour Palette

Cladding on the building extension enables design versatility to create distinctly modern looks that juxtapose the original heritage facade. Built by a BuildHer Collective member.

ORTOLAN walterst 170

Complementing furniture, fixtures and finishes create cohesion between the old and new building.

Golden-Point-House-023

Ample windows and openings in the extension address the darkness typical of older homes, flooding the building with natural light. Built by a BuildHer Collective member.

Golden-Point-House-059 alt

The roof style can either match or contrast the existing structure with closest matching flashings, gutters and bargeboard.

Flexible roof

Cladding on the modern extension enables design versatility to create distinctly modern looks that juxtapose the heritage front.

Cladded exterior

Contrast is the defining element between the old and the new, in the junctions of architecture or in the use of colour.

Contrasting features

Ample windows and openings in the extension to address the darkness of older homes, flooding the building with natural light.

Maximised natural light

The new extension should juxtapose the heritage building with simpler cornicing and joinery. Furniture, fixtures and finishes should create cohesion between the two buildings.

Interiors

Design Features

Minimalist sphere wall lighting can be an extension of the architecture of the Modern Heritage house, adding design accents to the interior and exterior.

The Balcony Garden, Willow Range — add dimension to outdoor spaces by clustering sculptural pots in varying sizes.

Passio Interiors, Floating Numbers — modern letterforms in a classic brushed bronze finish are the perfect accent to a Modern Heritage facade.

The Pot Warehouse, Garden Hose — considered accessories will help maintain an elevated feeling throughout your property.

Exterior

Harbro, Doug Modular Sofa — add a modern statement sofa with clean lines to perfectly contrast heritage elements like herringbone flooring.

Steel Door – transforming the heritage hallway into a contemporary space with minimalist metal-framed double doors.

Casa Blanco, Aspen Chair—make a bold statement with a distinctive occasional
chair that complements your Modern Heritage palette.

CDK Stone — elevate your space with classic marble benchtops, available in a range of colours to work with any interior palette.

DIY Blinds, Custom Curtains— for heritage and modern styles alike, drape curtains from ceiling to floor to elegantly frame your windows.

RJ Living, Ella Reweti Skinny Stacked Vase—contemporary accents with decorative details tie the modern in with ornate heritage architectural features.

Interior

Whilst being comforted the heritage character, the Modern Heritage house embraces modern design principles and individual personality, incorporating
features, fixtures and fittings that express how we want to live now and in the future.

Complete the Look

axon-cladding-exterior-modernher (9)

Hardie Home™ Guides Bright Section where you can discover various ideas and build your dream home. Get inspired from tips and tricks described and build your project.

Explore Hardie™ Home Guide's Bright Ideas Section

What makes a Modern Heritage style house successful? We’re exploring how to turn your renovation into something truly special and unique

Modern Heritage style house design: blending old with new

Modern Heritage home design: how to blend modern and heritage design elements

axon-cladding-exterior-modernher

With a team you can build Mountains. Refer to Hardie's guides and together let's build or renovate your dream home.

With a team yopu can build Mountains. Refer to Hardie's guides and together let's build or renovate your dream home.

Hardie™ Home Guide - Team Players

Learn about the rise of the Modern Heritage style and how homeowners are renovating their heritage properties to suit their modern lifestyles.

Transform your heritage home with a Modern Heritage reno

Get inspired to elevate your heritage home to suit your modern lifestyle

nojhproduc-exterior-bonnyhouse-i

A Modern Heritage style house ticks a lot of boxes: charming, characterful and with modern conveniences. Here’s how to take on its design challenges 

Modern Heritage style house design: common challenges solved

Overcoming common challenges in Modern Heritage house design 

How these owner-builders created a timeless Modern Heritage home

If only one word could be used to sum up the Modern Heritage house design trend, it would be ‘contrast’. This is the defining point between old and new, with the highly decorative elements of period homes contrasting with the simplicity and linear approach of modern renovations.
These properties have become increasingly popular throughout Australia, particularly in inner-city suburbs where homes from the 1900s are renovated in a way that doesn’t detract from the history of the structure.

<video
 autoPlay
 loop
 muted
 playsInline="playsInline"
 controls
 style="
 width: 100%;
 height: 600px;"
>
 <source src="https://videos.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/HCTiaDqDomQrJ0hcVHdUO/7456b5c94c0d336b4c1d5d03c1cb5283/workingonwalter-ascotvale-modernheritage-60sec-video-jameshardie-1.mp4"
 type="video/mp4"
 />
 <track src="" kind="captions" srcLang="en" label="english_captions" />
 Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>

## Simpler home living
Drawing inspiration from simpler home living, the Modern Heritage house trend allows homeowners to take advantage of the past while addressing the future needs of their home with a blend of old and new.

This is showcased by Elise Weavers and Sam Russell of [@working.on.walter](https://www.instagram.com/working.on.walter/). The pair purchased their second home – but their first renovation – right at the start of the pandemic, and they immediately knew they were in for a long-term project.

“When we purchased the home in Ascot Vale, it was just a 1900s single-fronted Victorian terrace house covered by a ’70s renovation with brick-look cladding over the original weatherboards,” Weavers says.

Weavers herself took over the design, with Russell using his building expertise to manage the construction side of the renovation. Right from the outset, Weavers said the couple were intent on a Modern Heritage house.

“The vision was very clear from the initial concept design phase and didn’t change over time,” she says. “We wanted a modern black gable form in contrast to the period façade of the Victorian terrace.”

![axon-cladding-exterior-modernheritage-ascotvale-buildhercollective-jameshardie-3](//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/2Ro7F4YjO5xCt6bQoemQtM/607da81dcba6f3eef6cb0f0f76cb8e1e/axon-cladding-exterior-modernheritage-ascotvale-buildhercollective-jameshardie-3.webp)

## Choosing a versatile yet highly practical cladding solution
“We wanted to use [Axon™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/applications/cavity-construction/scyon-axon-cladding) because of its modern vertical profile that contrasts with the horizontal blockwork weatherboards of the Victorian façade,” Weavers says.

But there was another reason why Hardie™ exterior cladding was chosen. As they were building on the boundary of the property, Russell says they were required to build a wall with an adequate Fire Level Rating (FRL). It also had to match the aesthetic of Modern Heritage homes and be highly durable – something that fibre cement delivers far better than timber. The good news for these homeowners is that durable Modern Heritage cladding with adequate FRL – specifically 60/60/60 – can be achieved using [Axon™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/applications/cavity-construction/scyon-axon-cladding) and the [Hardie™ Smart Boundary Wall System](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/hardiesmart-fire-&-acoustic-wall-systems-boundary-wall-system).

“With the boundary we have here, there's only a small 200-millimetre gap between the old external wall of the building next door and our building,” he says. “So I was able to build the frame on the ground, clad it, and lift it up and erect it that way.”

Weavers says using Hardie cladding meant they could create a seamless transition between old and new: “The new wall needed to align with the existing hallway wall, so we were restricted in wall thickness,” she says. “We were able to align the old and the new by using the [Hardie™ Axon™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/applications/cavity-construction/scyon-axon-cladding) BAL-rated wall system, which is much narrower than a brick or block wall.”

Both Weavers and Russell were very familiar with the range of Hardie™ exterior cladding products. “I had used [Axon™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/applications/cavity-construction/scyon-axon-cladding) previously on other jobs and I knew it was going to be very efficient and easy to install for an owner-builder like myself,” Russell says. “It was me who did all the installing, so I didn't have to get bricklayers and other people like that involved.

“We also used the [Axon™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/applications/cavity-construction/scyon-axon-cladding) behind the barbeque. Because the product is deemed non-combustible, which means it won’t contribute to the spread of fire, it was installed there to give us peace of mind.”

![axon-cladding-exterior-modernheritage-ascotvale-buildhercollective-jameshardie-5](//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/3eSYvdy1Ea2fzPWOVnA17K/8f4231e330d475c91c877dd28e303b49/axon-cladding-exterior-modernheritage-ascotvale-buildhercollective-jameshardie-5.webp)

## Meeting budget and technical requirements
Because of the logistics and compliance needs of their Modern Heritage renovation, Weavers says it just made good sense to use [Axon™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/applications/cavity-construction/scyon-axon-cladding). Not only did it help elevate their overall heritage house design, it also ensured a hallmark ‘contrast’ between the traditional structure and the modern extension.

“It fulfilled the design brief and achieved the requirements such as BAL rating and energy rating,” Weavers says. “It’s cost-effective and fast to install.

“Because the [Axon™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/applications/cavity-construction/scyon-axon-cladding) sheets come in large sizes, they can be installed easily with two people. The product is also straightforward to install.”

For Russell, he says it made his life during the build so much easier: “Where we joined from old to new, the [Axon™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/applications/cavity-construction/scyon-axon-cladding) being flat made it very easy to butt the weatherboard straight in and give it a nice slim look.”

Plus, having the ability to go into their local store and pick up what they needed at any time meant they weren’t constrained by traders and deliveries: “The [Axon™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/productrange/applications/cavity-construction/scyon-axon-cladding) itself and also all the flashing glues that are needed are readily available at most hardware stores, so it's great if you forget something or you need an extra piece – it's so easy to get,” he says.

Acquiring most of their cladding from Bell Plaster Supplies in Pascoe Vale, a quick visit to their local Bunnings in Maribyrnong ensured any one-off cladding sheets could be purchased as required, keeping the pair on track to building their dream Modern Heritage home.

“The period façade is timeless,” Weavers says. “But I also don’t like imitation and I think it’s pointless to pretend that you haven’t done a modern extension. We have been able to express that and make it a complete contrast. The cladding helps to really highlight the beautiful stages of the Victorian terrace, and also makes the modern extension stand out more.”

If you’re planning a renovation, find out more about how to bring the [Modern Heritage](https://www.jameshardie.com.au/modern-homes-forecast/modern-heritage) look to life. 

![axon-cladding-exterior-modernher (13)](//images.ctfassets.net/rg5y8r6t6cjr/3KrpYxyWChrPM5Uz0xYpSx/d52ac9d4896fbd602b4ef91beaffc814/axon-cladding-exterior-modernher__13_.webp)

axon-cladding-exterior-modernheritage-ascotvale-buildhercollective-jameshardie-1

Learn how the couple behind Working on Walter poured their hearts into a Modern Heritage house reno, with Axon™ Cladding as the glue tying it all together.

How Axon™ Cladding elevates Modern Heritage house design

On-trend designs: Modern Heritage case study

 More Modern Heritage inspiration:

‘Embrace a modernist, minimalist aesthetic to allow for a delicate interplay between the heritage and contemporary features of the home.’– Rebeka Morgan, BuildHer Collective

The materials palette whilst contemporary, carefully enhances and illuminates the original heritage features of the house.

PB 1A104811 2024-02-13 15.09.29 R3

Modern matte tones consistently feature in the Modern Heritage look adding a bold, streamlined aesthetic.

image015

Restoration of a heritage roof is an opportunity to either match or contrast the existing structure in Colorbond® steel.

linea-oblique-matrix-exterior-modernheritage-mascot-primeconstructions-jameshardie-26

Oak floorboards perfectly transition through new open-plan and original spaces of the interior.

image012 (1)

 The calming, warm tones of beautiful textured Travertine creates a serenity in the Modern Heritage home.

image022

 Polished concrete floors can be customised with stains, dyes and decorative aggregates.

Pros-and-Cons-of-Polished-Concrete-Floors-1

Contemporary small scale bluestone cobbles update the driveway and other outdoor areas.

floor image

The introduction of bespoke bluestone steppers adds a bold design element to outdoor areas.

BLUESTONE-PREMIUM-STEPPERS RMS-TRADERS NATURAL-STONE-SUPPLIER-MELBOURNE-38-gigapixel-standard-scale-4 00x-scaled

Materials & Textures

JAM2447 Design Handbook Modern Heritage Pagination FA Spreads page-0001

Download a copy of the Handbook

Order a sample from the Hardie™ Architectural Collection.

Order your free sample.

Login to myHardies™ to find out more about how to build the Modern Heritage look.

Are you a builder?

Modern Heritage | Modern Homes Forecast 2024

1. The modern extension of this home, clad in dark grey Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding against the heritage section in white Linea™ Weatherboard amplifies façade articulation.

2. Axon™ Cladding is used on this Ascot Vale, Victoria, extension, wrapping around corners and onto the ceiling of the covered balcony. Built by a BuildHer Collective member.

3. Clean lines of vertical Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding and the horizontal Linea™ Weatherboard help to distinguish each section of the home.

Balancing old and new, this Modern Heritage home elevates the original home using Linea™ Weatherboard and distinguishes the modern extension using vertical Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding.

2322 James Hardie Modern Herita (1)

ORTOLAN walterst 129

2322 James Hardie Modern Heritage - 1. Exterior Hero - Facade

Defined by streamlined and linear new additions to a character home, Modern Heritage seeks to balance the old and new with considered intent.

Style Overview

hardie-finetexture-linea-exterior-modernheritage-kinwolf-birchgrove-threebirdsrenovations-jameshardie-16

Linea™ Weatherboard adds clean horizontal lines to a painstakingly restored heritage house perfectly expressing the Modern Heritage aesthetic. The sand-like texture and fine matte finish of Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding allows distinct architectural and heritage features to stand out.