Mid-Century Modern
With its emphasis on practicality and functionality, Mid-Century Modern is seeing a huge resurgence, the modern classic reimagined for 21st century living.
Mid-century Modern first garnered popularity in the 1950s for its optimistic and experimental qualities and shift away from traditional, closed floor plan houses. This design is characterised by flat or raked roof lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, raised structures, and great indoor-outdoor connections that integrate the home with the surrounding landscape.
Mid-century Modern is known for its "form follows function" approach to design, the style prioritises practicality and purpose over unnecessary, ornate decoration. However, Mid-century Modern isn't wholly utilitarian. Instead, these homes juxtapose clean, geometric lines with organic shapes and bright accent colours, evoking a sense of spirited play and light-heartedness.
This iconic Mid-century Modern style is now seeing a huge resurgence with the updating of this design to incorporate minimalist sensibilities and ultra-modern amenities.
The Mid-century style is best summarised as being lightweight with low-lying designs that embrace colour and nature. It reflects an optimistic and experimental approach to living that rebels against ornate traditions and aesthetics. It is the 'architecture of ideas', created by those who believe that a forward-looking style could be a vehicle for social change to create a better society.
About the Trend
Design Features
Recommended products
![Axon™ Panel Sooth with textured paint](/web/assets/general/_1200x675_crop_center-center_82_line/Axon-Panel-Sooth-with-textured-paint.jpg)
Axon™ Panel Smooth: This versatile panel can be finished with a textured paint for the rendered look or painted smooth.
![Axon™ Brushed Concrete](/web/assets/general/_1200x675_crop_center-center_82_line/Brushed-Concrete-Sample-small.jpg)
Axon™ Panel Brushed Concrete: With the embedded swept texture reminiscent of softly brushed concrete, these panels are ideal for creating modern minimalist facades with tactility.
![Oblique™ Weatherboard, staggered and vertically installed](/web/assets/gallery/_1200x675_crop_center-center_82_line/JH.Feilding.558-staggered.jpg)
Oblique™ Weatherboard: The wide grooves and design flexibility of board widths delivers drama and visual interest to barn facades.
![Stria™ Cladding 325mm](/web/assets/gallery/_1200x675_crop_center-center_82_line/325mm-close-up-vertical.jpg)
Stria™ Cladding: The deep, 15mm-wide grooves create strong, sleek lines ideal for contemporary designs that require a bold but pared-back aesthetic.
Options in select areas:
![Stria™ Cladding](https://www.jameshardie.co.nz/web/assets/gallery/Stria-inside.jpg)
Stria™ Cladding: For stand out interior feature walls.
![Hardie™ Groove Lining](https://www.jameshardie.co.nz/web/assets/gallery/IMG_8717.jpg)
Hardie™ Groove Lining: Interior feature walls
Why Now?
- We are finding renewed comfort in familiar pursuits and products from decades past.
- The global resurgence for mid-century aesthetics
- Features of indoor-outdoor spaces and raised structures are optimal for our southern hemisphere climate
- Mid-century Modern has strong correlations with our relaxed and outdoor-centric lifestyle
The resurgence and growing popularity of the mid-century house continues to gain momentum, for distinctive exteriors and functional interiors, climate-friendly features and use of natural materials.
Recommended paint colours
Exterior
Southern Alps NZ9H1
Manorburn NZ9A1
Remutaka Range S24A4
Strauss White LRV 81
Afternoon Nap LRV 71.52
Colorbond® Deep Ocean® LRV 9
Interior
Mt Aspiring NZ9H4
Optio Bay
Tokomaru Bay NZ10D8
Cotton Grey LRV 79
Adrenaline Rush LRV 23.63
Tapestry Red LRV 12
Global GreenTag™ GreenRate™ Level A and Product Health Declaration™ PHD Platinum Health mean our products have passed the world's toughest standards for health, eco performance and safety.
![Design Handbook Cover 2024](https://www.jameshardie.co.nz/web/assets/general/Design-Handbook-Cover-2024.png)
The Design Handbook
The Hardie™ Cladding Collection has a wide variety of products to select from, creating design versatility, in which It’s Possible™ to Make Modern like never before. It’s a movement that’s reshaping perceptions and changing the way New Zealand builds. This design handbook demonstrates that with great advice, support and inspiration, it’s possible to build a house you’re truly proud to come home to.