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From Dean:
‘Modern Heritage design
is all about respecting
the character and soul of
historical architecture while
integrating contemporary
elements that make the
spaces functional, timeless
and truly livable. It’s about
celebrating the history while
integrating today’s modern
architecture, so you live in
an old-world home with
new-world functionality.’

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In this handbook, Dean
shares his expertise and
experience in bringing the
Modern Heritage look to life
through materials and textures,
colours and décor. It’s all
about finding the balance
between traditional and
modern through a range of
beautiful design elements.

Meet your guide
<h2>Dean Dyson</h2>

With Dean Dyson, Dean Dyson Architects

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Modern Heritage homes have the benefit of achieving contemporary indoor/outdoor living through an extension, as seen here with Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding and Linea™ Weatherboard Cladding.

Design Handbook 2025

03,Modern Heritage

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

The key to successful cladding in Modern Heritage homes lies in
embracing the striking contrast between old and new. A heritage
section adorned with horizontal Linea™ Weatherboards and ornate
details can be beautifully juxtaposed with the clean, contemporary
vertical lines of Hardie Oblique™ Cladding or Axon™ Cladding on a modern extension.

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Complementary Products

Choosing the right cladding is not only
essential for achieving the Modern
Heritage look, but also plays a critical
role in streamlining construction and
improving efficiency. Dean highlights
that pre-primed cladding significantly
speeds up the building process,
reducing labour costs and on-site
delays while ensuring a high-quality,
low-maintenance finish.
James Hardie exterior cladding
products contribute to efficiency
by allowing precise installation with
minimal waste, making it an ideal
choice for both large-scale extensions
and smaller builds. By selecting
materials that are durable, cost-effective,
and easy to work with, Modern Heritage
homes can be built faster and with
greater long-term resilience.

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‘Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding is both
weatherproof and resilient. I love how
the pre-finished textured surface can
add a stripe effect to the project while
achieving a low maintenance outcome.’
—Dean Dyson, Dean Dyson Architects

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Featuring distinctive square and angled
groove edges, this cladding creates a striking,
modern look that juxtaposes beautifully
against traditional heritage facades.

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These weatherboards are resistant to
warping, cracking and swelling, and will
hold on to paint longer than timber, making
it perfect for refreshing heritage facades.

Cladding solutions

Dulux® Snowy Mountain Half

Dulux® Beige Royal Half

Porters Paint Smooth Impasto Tea of China

Scheme Two

Dulux® Natural White™

Dulux® Grand Piano

Porter’s Paints
Stone Paint Coarse
Madras

Scheme One

Soft neutrals, heritage-inspired tones, and bold accents
create harmony between enduring charm and contemporary
style in the Modern Heritage house.

A well-chosen colour palette is one of the simplest ways to refresh and evolve a Modern Heritage home over time. Neutral tones like soft whites, greys, and warm taupes create a timeless, adaptable backdrop, allowing homeowners to easily update their space with new furnishings, accents, or a fresh coat of paint.

Dean notes that heritage-inspired shades like terracotta, deep greens, and navy blues can be introduced to add depth and character, offering a versatile foundation that can shift with changing styles, personal tastes, or seasonal updates.


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Modern Heritage

‘A warm neutral base
with deep greens, navy
blues, or rich terracottas
adds character while
keeping the look refined
and cohesive.’
—Dean Dyson, Dean Dyson Architects

Colour palette

Features like ample indoor-outdoor connections and
adaptable interior layouts provide flexibility for evolving
needs like growing families, entertaining or working-from-
home arrangements, while contrasting elements between
old and new ensure the home remains functional, visually
dynamic, and able to withstand the test of time.

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

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The junction between the old and new
at Golden Point, by BuildHer Collective
featuring Axon™ Cladding. Photo by Dylan
James Lark.

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Simpler cornices in the new extension
contrast with the heritage part of the house
at Golden Point, by BuildHer Collective.
Photo by Dylan James Lark.

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The roof design can either complement or contrast with the
existing structure, using closely matching flashings, gutters,
and bargeboards. Minimal trim is sometimes retained on the
roof edges to preserve heritage features.

Adaptable roof

Natural-look materials on the exterior, such as vertical joint cladding and timber window frames, are contrasted with metallic accents, like barn lights, to add definition.

Timeless exterior

Large, square or rectangular paned windows create a warm and inviting ambience. Timber frames bring a natural, timeless feel that complements the Modern Farmhouse look while keeping things soft and organic.

Indoor-outdoor connection

Neutral colours allow for the materials and textures to be the focus and create an atmosphere of calm and serenity.

Contrasting elements

Lean into a mix of traditional and modern pieces, choosing furniture that feels inviting, well-balanced and ultra-cosy. Stick to muted tones and earthy neutrals. Layer in natural textures like linen, timber and aged brass to bring depth and a relaxed, lived-in feel.

Interior design

Design features

03 Modern Heritage 2025

Dean’s client wanted to transform their home into one
that seamlessly blended the charm of their heritage property
with a light-filled, nature-connected sanctuary. The design
re-imagines the original structure, integrating contemporary
comforts while preserving its character. A striking new addition
serves as a private retreat, featuring open-plan entertainment
spaces that promote a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
Thoughtfully designed, this home balances historical elegance
with modern functionality, creating a harmonious, inviting
environment for relaxation and social gatherings. With a $1mil
budget they now have a beautiful home for their family of four.
Designed by Dean Dyson, Dean Dyson Architects.

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Floorplan

A modern addition in Linea™ Weatherboard brings increased light and livability in this house by architect Lisa Breeze. Photo by Cathy Schusler.

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The beauty of Modern Heritage houses is that we are preserving the original structure while adding a modern extension. Dean believes that modern heritage homes are at their best when the history is celebrated rather than erased, and working with the existing framework reduces both costs and complexity.

<ol>Carefully selecting durable, cost-effective materials like lightweight cladding ensures affordability without compromising design integrity. Dean emphasises that cladding not only streamlines construction but also improves long-term sustainability and energy efficiency. The ability to retain the heritage facade while seamlessly integrating a modern addition allows homeowners and builders to achieve construction efficiency, while the home remains timeless, functional, and future-proofed.</ol>

Louvre windows control light in this Modern Heritage home using a combination of Linea™ Weatherboard and Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding. Project and photo by Three Birds Renovations.

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Wellbeing is achieved in a Modern Heritage house by
fostering a sense of balance and connection through
thoughtfully designed spaces that integrate natural
light, ventilation and timeless materials.
<ol>Think internal courtyards to connect with nature,
clerestory windows and skylights to bring in natural
light, strategically oriented windows and louvers for
natural air flow and dedicated wellness spaces.</ol>

‘We often design with pause moments—small spaces
or courtyard breaks—so you really feel the transition
between historical and modern elements’ says Dean.

Work-from-home setup at Golden Point by BuildHer Collective. Photo by Dylan James Lark.

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Open-plan living spaces, multi-functional rooms and modern
amenities in Modern Heritage designs provide a practical and
dynamic environment for growing families, accommodating
everything from work-from-home setups to multi-generational
living, all while retaining the timeless appeal of a heritage home.

Creating a resilient Modern Heritage home requires the integration of green technologies and energy-saving designs, optimising natural light and increasing the thermal efficiency of the building.
<ol>Opt for insulation materials and techniques that can be seamlessly integrated into heritage structures without compromising their historical integrity. This might include using spray foam insulation for cavity walls, blown-in cellulose or fibreglass insulation for attics and insulating plasterboard for interior walls.</ol>
<ol>These techniques can help make the most of a period home while respecting the character of the building.</ol>

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 Heritage homes are evolving to reflect these shifts.

Lifestyle themes

By balancing heritage tones and textures with sleek, contemporary finishes, Modern Heritage homes achieve a sophisticated look that respects the past while embracing the present.

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The contemporary materials palette
carefully enhances and complements
the original heritage features of a house.

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Bring subtle texture and sophistication
to the space with travertine wall tiles. Its
natural, earthy tones and subtle textures
complement the heritage aesthetic.

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Add warmth, comfort and depth with the rich, muted tone of a rust coloured carpet.

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Embrace the modern-meets-classic
aesthetic of terrazzo floor tiles—perfect
for grounding any space with style and
personality.

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Tuscan oak laminate cabinetry balances warmth with cost-effective practicality.

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Quartzite stone offers a look and feel similar to marble, but with added durability and strength.

CrazyPaving

Add character and texture to outdoor spaces with crazy paving, connecting heritage with contemporary style.

Textures like smooth timber
flooring and soft fabric furnishings
provide tactile comfort and a
sense of coziness, while large
windows and glass elements
allow for ample natural light and ventilation, promoting mental
clarity and reducing stress.

‘Textural contrast
is key to Modern
Heritage design—
it’s about juxtaposing
smooth modern
surfaces with the
rough, aged character
of the existing home.’
—Dean Dyson, Dean Dyson Architects

Materials & textures

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Discover the future of Modern Heritage Style Homes in 2025 with James Hardie. Uncover cost-saving renovation tips, flexible layouts & sustainable materials

Modern Heritage Style Homes Forecast 2025 | James Hardie

Modern Heritage is an experimental
way of introducing modern design
principles and materials to offset the
traditional style of the original building,
and often centers around bringing
more light and nature into the home.
Contrast is the defining element between the old and the
new, both in the junctions of architecture and in the use of
colour. Barn and box shapes are natural extensions to existing
roof lines, and Modern Heritage is enjoying a renaissance
of creativity as colour, curves and new materials add playful
nostalgia to both interiors and exteriors.
‘We treat a house like a living thing—it needs to breathe.
Blocking airflows by covering original ventilation gaps or
sealing off spaces can lead to long-term damage’ says Dean.

Oversized windows invite an abundance of natural
light, creating a bright and uplifting living environment
while allowing the calming effects of textural
landscaping to be experienced both inside and out.
Dean notes that proper airflow is just as crucial as
natural light in heritage homes—cross-ventilation,
both above ground and beneath the house, plays a
key role in preventing rising damp and ensuring the
home’s longevity. Thoughtfully positioned windows,
clerestories, and louvres not only frame outdoor views
but also promote continuous airflow, reducing reliance
on artificial cooling for a healthier indoor climate.

Modern Heritage houses can achieve
construction and renovation efficiencies
by leveraging prefabricated components,
repurposing original materials, and
prioritising impactful updates like open
plan layouts and large windows to
maximise value.

Modern Heritage homes blend traditional
architectural styles with contemporary,
sustainable features that increase resilience
to environmental challenges. Popular
additions to the renovation include greater
energy efficiency, sustainable modern
materials, solar integration, water efficiency,
climate responsive design, storm and flood
resilience, eco-friendly landscaping and
modern smart technology.

This modern heritage lightwell is enclosed with
Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding painted in Porter’s
Paints Stone Paint Coarse in Madras.

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The heritage facade has renewed life with Linea™
Weatherboard on the main walls and a beautiful
detail featured the board and batten look in Hardie™
Fine Texture Cladding and Hardie™ Axent™ Trim.

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Modern Heritage is a renovation style that merges old with new, providing a unique glimpse into the past combined with contemporary contrasts through colour, shape and materials.

Timeless, creative & contrasting

The most effective way to save money in a heritage
renovation is to retain and restore existing structures
wherever possible. Dean emphasises that keeping the
original masonry, facade, and structural framework
reduces demolition costs and avoids expensive
rebuilding. Instead of extending with heavyweight
materials, opting for lightweight, pre-primed exterior
cladding products allows for faster, more cost-effective
construction while achieving a heritage-inspired
aesthetic. This streamlined approach maintains the
home’s character without unnecessary expense.

A well-designed Modern Heritage home should
adapt to changing needs over time, preventing costly
renovations in the future. Dean suggests designing
with multi-purpose spaces, such as attic conversions,
flexible living zones, or a study that can become
a bedroom later. By anticipating lifestyle changes
upfront, homeowners can ensure their home evolves
without major structural modifications, keeping
renovation costs minimal down the track.

3 Reduce labour costs with smart material choices

Labour is one of the biggest expenses in heritage
renovations, often exceeding material costs. Dean
highlights the importance of choosing pre-finished,
factory-made materials like pre-primed cladding
and modular components, which allow for faster,
more precise installation. This reduces the number
of trades required and minimises delays caused by
unpredictable site conditions, for a smoother, more
affordable build.

A well-insulated, naturally ventilated home saves
thousands in energy bills over time. Dean advises
incorporating cross-ventilation, passive solar design,
and high-performance materials to improve thermal
efficiency. Choosing low-maintenance, durable
cladding and weatherboards also ensures the home
remains cost-effective to maintain, reducing the need
for frequent repainting, repairs, and high energy
consumption.