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From Justine:
‘Modern Classical is the best of both worlds. It’s mixing the timeless elegance of classical design with a sleek, simple kind of modern style.’

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In this handbook, Justine shares her expertise and experience to introduce our newest home style, Modern Classical. She brings the look to life through materials and textures, colours and some tips on duplex builds. It’s about a timeless mix of European-feeling architecture and modern warmth.

Meet your guide
<h2>Justine Orton</h2>

With Justine Orton, Orton Haus

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This Modern Classical duplex features a ground
floor clad with Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture and the
upper floor in Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding,
resulting in a truly elegant exterior that blends
timeless sophistication with modern refinement.

Design Handbook 2025

08,Modern Classical

Ready to specify Hardie™ fibre cement products in your next project?

Seek out cladding options that maintain the understated elegance of Modern Classical architecture while offering practical benefits like durability, weather resistance and low maintenance

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Complementary Products

Modern Classical homes can maintain their timeless elegance while being equipped to endure the challenges of a changing climate by choosing cladding and roofing solutions designed to ensure extreme conditions.

‘Using pre-primed cladding speeds up construction—saving build time and cutting down interest costs’ says Justine.

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‘By combining the new Stria™ Cladding and Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding, you can create the ideal Modern Classical facade of grandeur and contemporary appeal.’
—Justine Orton, Orton Haus

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Perfect for the ground floor due to its robust and versatile nature. Installed horizontally, it creates strong, clean lines that emphasize the architecture of the home while adding warmth through its subtle texture.

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This cladding offers a sleek look with its flowing lines, which adds visual interest to the upper levels of the home. The brushed concrete texture complements this style by providing a contemporary twist on traditional materials, enhancing the overall aesthetic with a touch of elegance.


Cladding solutions

Dulux Colorbond® Surfmist®

Dulux® Hog Bristle® Quarter

Dulux® Natural White

Scheme Two

Dulux® Colorbond® Monument®

Dulux® Antique White U.S.A.®

Dulux® Vivid White™

Scheme One

Modern Classical colour schemes balance timeless neutrals with subtle accent tones, creating a sophisticated and harmonious aesthetic.

Soft neutrals like whites, creams and greys enhance natural light and create a calming atmosphere, while warm undertones add comfort. Rich accent colours such as greens and blues, bring a sense of connection to nature.

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Modern Classical

‘I like to work with neutral tones like whites, creams and greys, often adding accents of muted pastels or deep rich hues.’
—Justine Orton, Orton Haus

Colour palette

The soft, flowing lines of curved elements, such as archways, rounded furniture and sculptural details, introduce a sense of fluidity and balance, reducing harsh edges and promoting relaxation

Achieveing a clean look and minimising
vertical joins is possible with Stria™
Cladding Fine Texture boards, available
in 3000mm and 4200mm lengths.

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An example of using Stria™ Cladding
Fine Texture in both horizontal and
vertical orientations to differentiate
a buildings forms.

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Exterior curves and archways are
reflected in interior details like, artwork,
furniture, décor and mouldings.

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Combining a straight-edged, boxed facade and flat roof with the soft curvature of arched windows blends classic elegance with modern charm.

Juxtaposition between straight edges & curves

Curved doorways and arched windows in black steel add visual interest to natural-look or textured exterior walls. These curves are inspired by nature, echoing the gentle flow of waves and hills to create a calming, organic feel within the home.

Ornate curves and archways

Simple, light colours or muted two-tone colour palettes create a sense of warmth.

Light colour palette

An abundance of potted plants, hedging and green walls on balconies, terraces and patios connect the architecture with the surrounding landscape

Biophilic elements

Interiors embrace curvatures and simple shapes, natural light, and textured materials in neutral tones. Paired with herringbone floors, custom balustrades, and a muted color palette, these elements create a relaxing yet sophisticated atmosphere.

Interiors

Design features

08 Modern Classical 2025

When designing this duplex, our budget was for a $1.5-$1.8m
new build delivering timeless architectural character with
modern efficiency. Spanning 400sqm, the home balances
classic charm with contemporary functionality.

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Floorplan

Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture features from
the ground to upper level on this Modern
Classical home, contrasting with black
timber and steel accents.

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To achieve cost-effectiveness, bulk purchasing and costeffective alternatives including engineered timber flooring, melamine joinery and Hardie™ exterior cladding products can be used to maximise functionality, aesthetics and natural light while minimising expenses and energy consumption.

Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture can be
stacked horizontally or vertically. Using
both orientations in combination can help
to accentuate architectural forms.

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Visible overhead gardens and courtyards
create a tranquil connection to nature,
enhancing indoor-outdoor flow.

‘You can bring the outside in by
positioning courtyards and gardens
within view from inside the home.
Overhead gardens add beauty while
keeping the home cool’ says Justine.

‘Modern Classical feels like living in a home that is both timeless and in the now. It’s a perfect mix of sophistication and comfort.’
 —Justine Orton, Orton Haus

Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding
is used on this double storey home
for a clean, minimal aesthetic.

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Designed for maximum flexibility, a duplex can cater to a wide range of people—whether you’re downsizing, starting a family, or seeking multiple living spaces. A thoughtful layout ensures privacy while maintaining a sense of community through a shared facade, making it ideal for multi-generational living, rental opportunities, or holiday stays.

High-performance insulation, double-glazed windows
and strategically placed window hoods reduce energy
use and improve thermal comfort. Solar panels and
water tanks are also installed to enhance sustainability.

The Modern Homes Forecast 2025 identifies four lifestyle themes changing the way we design and build our homes today. Global and local changes are reshaping how we live, and here we show how Modern Classical homes are evolving to reflect these shifts.

Lifestyle themes

Modern Classical materials and textures strike a balance between the warmth of traditional design and the freshness of modern living. Herringbone flooring, brass fixtures, and matte-finish cabinetry further enhance this harmony, offering a perfect mix of classical luxury and modern practicality

Modern Classical materials and textures simultaneously express the warmth of classical design and freshness of modern living.

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Herringbone parquet flooring in light oak or walnut.

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Shaker-style cabinetry
with matte finishes.

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White or grey marble tiles epitomise classical luxury

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Use traditional style hardware in brass

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Plush velvet upholstery adds timeless opulence

wallpaper

Textured wallpaper in subtle patterns add sophistication to interiors.

The careful curation of materials and textures for the Modern Classical home will ensure the space can evolve with changing tastes and adapt to new stages of home life.

‘Buying in bulk from a single supplier streamlines the process, saves money, and ensures a cohesive design’ says Justine.

‘Luxurious materials like marble, velvet, oak and walnut timbers can be paired with glass, metal and matte finishes with beautiful results.’
 —Justine Orton, Orton Haus

Materials & textures

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Download the Modern Classical Design Handbook as a PDF

Order a sample from the James Hardie™ Architectural Collection.

Order your free sample.

Login to MyHardies to find out more about how to build the Modern Classical look. 

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Explore Modern Classic House Design by James Hardie. Uncover timeless elegance, innovative cladding, and smart design tips for your dream home now!

Modern Classic House Design Forecast 2025 | James Hardie

Awnings and balconies add both practicality with shade, and aesthetic appeal by enhancing outdoor living spaces, adding to the charm of this style.
Outdoor spaces feature expansive courtyards,
terraces and patios, perfect for entertaining all
year round. Interiors feature curvatures, natural
light, neutral-coloured and textured materials
and simple shapes.

Modern Classical design combines the elegance of classical architecture with contemporary techniques and materials like Hardie™ exterior cladding products, making it inherently adaptable to environmental challenges.

Spacious, harmonious interiors, connection to nature, spa-like bathrooms, fitness and recreation rooms, privacy and quiet, as well as abundant entertaining areas are hallmarks of the Modern Classical design

Modern Classical style creates a versatile foundation ideal for multigenerational and duplex living. Flexible floor plans lend seamless adaptability, accommodating a range of interior styles while meeting the diverse needs of evolving family dynamics.
‘The layout is designed to maximise space with two living rooms, four bedrooms, and an open-plan kitchen. It works just as well for a young family as it does for someone looking to downsize’ says Justine.

The contemporary grandeur of this Modern Classical
facade shines through with its striking arched windows.
Featuring Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding on the
upper level, and Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture Cladding
on the ground floor.

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This timeless cladding combination continues at the
rear of this duplex, with a seamles flow from indoor
to outdoor living.

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Modern Classical style reflects the ideals of leisure and wealth and is designed to make a statement while exuding warmth, relaxation and ease. Neo-classical forms are updated with curves, soft textures and greenery to create a resort-style slice of Europe that is suited to Australian lifestyles.

Elegant, warm & whimsical 

Select resilient building materials like Hardie™
cladding products, quality roofing, double-glazed
windows, and efficient insulation. These products
offer longevity with minimal maintenance, making
homes more resilient against Australia’s diverse
climate challenges including heat, cold, storms,
and fires. Quality materials pay dividends in both
performance and aesthetics over time.

2 Incorporate window hoods for efficiency

Add window hoods strategically to protect
windows from direct sunlight while creating
architectural interest. Instead of relying solely on
expensive solutions like double-glazed windows,
these hoods provide practical thermal protection
that reduces heat transfer while becoming a design
feature. Position them particularly on windows
facing harsh sun exposure.

3 Create cost-effective arches with cladding

Achieve the classic arch aesthetic without
expensive masonry construction by using easyto-cut cladding products. This approach delivers
the same sophisticated look at a fraction of the
cost and complexity. Paired with window shrouds,
these architectural elements become striking focal
points that elevate your home’s appearance without
breaking the budget.

Maximise your budget by purchasing materials and
fixtures in bulk from single suppliers. This approach
not only saves money but streamlines the process
through consolidated warranties and simplified
communication. Apply this strategy to appliances,
tapware, tiles, and other materials to achieve
high-end looks while maintaining cost efficiency

5 Consider alternative construction methods for speed

Prioritise build speed by using pre-primed cladding
and other ready-to-install materials that reduce
construction time. With today’s high financing costs,
reducing build duration by even a few months can
save significant money in interest payments. Balance
material choices with how they impact your overall
timeline to optimise both aesthetics and finances.