Modern Classic

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

The elegance of a block neoclassical exterior is combined with the more natural tones typical of Mediterranean style homes, creating a balance between classic and whimsical. Strong visual elements such as symmetrical or asymmetrical archways, carved doors, black steel and metalwork on windows, balconies, and door frames help create a blend of classic sophistication and modern charm. Light colours or muted two-tone colour palettes create a sense of warmth.

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.

The Modern Classical style creates a versatile foundation ideal for multi-generational and duplex living. Flexible floor plans ensure seamless adaptability, accommodating a range of interior styles while meeting the diverse needs of evolving family dynamics.

About the Trend

Design Features

Grand Exterior: The combination of a straight-edged, boxed facade and flat roof creates a blend of classic sophistication and elegance with a modern charm. The Modern Classic style reflects the ideals of leisure and wealth and is designed to make a statement while exuding warmth, relaxation and ease.
Monochromatic: The exterior is often finished in black and white or contrasting black steel to add visual interest.
Interior colours: Interiors feature curvatures, natural light, neutral coloured and textured materials and simple shapes. Simple light colours or muted two-tone colour palettes to create a sense of warmth.
Indoor outdoor connection: Green hedges and wall plants on balconies, terraces and patios, which connect architecture with the surrounding natural landscape and contribute to the overall charm of the exterior. Outdoor spaces feature expansive courtyards, terraces and patios, perfect for entertaining all year round.
Wellbeing: 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 Classic design.

Recommended products

Axon™ Brushed Concrete

Axon™ Panel Brushed Concrete: The embedded textured finish gives renovations and extensions a modern, minimalist aesthetic to delicately contrast the heritage building
 

Axon™ Panel Smooth with a textured paint finish

Axon™ Panel Smooth, with a paint finish: A panel with a shiplap vertical joint. It can be finished with a site applied roll on textured acrylic paint for that rendered look, or you can paint it smooth

Stria™ Cladding 325mm horizontal

Stria™ Cladding: For added interest include a horizontal groove feature. Stria™ Cladding 325mm or 405mm installed horizontally creates a modern masonry look.

Axon™ Panel rendered finish

Axon™ Panel Smooth, with a rendered finish: A panel with a shiplap vertical joint. It can be finished with a full mesh textured coat system for a lightweight plaster finish.

Options in select areas:

Hardie™ Groove Lining:  Use for feature interior walls and ceilings

Axon™ Panel Brushed Concrete:  Use for feature interior walls

Recommended paint colours

Exterior

Dulux
Ōkārito
Dulux
Cardrona
Dulux
Mt Aspiring Quarter
Dulux
Sandfly Point
Dulux
Darfield
Dulux
Te Kuiti

Interior

Dulux
Mt Aspiring Quarter
Dulux
Sandfly Point
Dulux
Howick Half
Dulux
Shelly Beach
Dulux
Baylys Beach
Dulux
Potters Park
Standard greentag
Standard healthrate

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 2025 resized

The Design Handbook

BUILD YOUR MODERN LIFE

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. Whether you are planning a renovation, new build, or extension, this forecast will be an invaluable tool on your journey. Welcome to the James Hardie Design Handbook. It's time to Build Your Modern Life.

Where

To buy our products

Get

The James Hardie Product Guide

See

James Hardie's Modern Design Forecast

Find your nearest Showhome

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  • 11 Rose Manor Drive, Springlands, Blenheim
  • 43 Belgrove Place, Parklands, Christchurch, Canterbury
  • 10 Homestead Drive, Rangiora
  • 4 Homestead Dr, Rangiora
  • 21 Homestead Drive, Bellgrove, Rangiora
  • 40B Johns Rd, Belfast, Christchurch
  • 50, Lochridge Drive, Kinloch, 3300, Waikato
  • 136 Highland Crescent, Te Awamutu
  • 145 Kaniere Road, Kaniere, Hokitika
  • 19 Clydesdale Drive, Holmes Hill, Oamaru
  • 52, Summersfield Boulevard, Appleby, 7081, Tasman
  • 74 Pelorus Avenue, Poraiti, Napier
  • 163 Brookside Road, Rolleston
  • 37 Meadowstone Street, Gleniti, Timaru
  • 21 Skibbereen Drive, Halswell, Christchurch
  • 80, Benashet Drive, Lincoln, 7672, Canterbury
  • 32 Nikau Drive, Redwoodtown, Blenheim
  • 19 Finstock Way, Springston
  • 16 Camberley Road, Richmond
  • 119 Carters Road, Amberley
  • 72 Hitchen Road, Pōkeno
  • 27 Finstock Way, Springston
  • 7 Oakbridge Boulevard, Marshland, Christchurch
  • 13 Oakbridge Boulevard, Marshland, Christchurch
  • 46 Arbuckle Road, Frimley, Hastings
  • 9 Montiicola Drive, Papamoa Beach, Papamoa
  • 1, Flounder Drive, Ōmokoroa
  • 108 Fairway Drive, Morrinsville
  • 274, Te Rapa Road, Beerescourt, Hamilton, 3200, Waikato
  • 37, Okaia Drive, Kinloch, 3377, Waikato
  • 7, Tūhua Close, Wharewaka, Taupō, 3378, Waikato
  • 2, Walsh Road, 2110, Auckland
  • Rotorua Grove, Aotea, Porirua, 5024, Wellington
  • 2, Buddle Road, Paerata, 2676, Auckland
  • 11, Highland Drive, Acacia Bay, Taupō, 3385, Waikato
  • 714, Te Kowhai Road, Te Kowhai, 3288, Waikato
  • Kahukaka Road, One Tree Point, 0118, Northland
  • Pampas Drive, 0992, Auckland
  • 29, Kimbrae Drive, Hamilton, 3210, Waikato
  • 50, Hitchens Road, Pokeno, 2402, Waikato
  • Jonah Lomu Drive, Paerata, 2676, Auckland
  • Flaxfield Lane, Beachlands, 2571, Auckland
  • 1, Manutewhau Road, Massey, 0614, Auckland
  • 10, Ripeka Lane, Whenuapai, 0618, Auckland
  • 12, Harriet Johnston Drive, Pokeno, 2472, Waikato
  • Podgora Avenue, Kumeu, 0891, Auckland
  • Kapia Road, Massey, 0614, Auckland
  • 17, Brown Street, Inglewood, 4330, Taranaki
  • 109, Wairau Drive, Tikipunga, Whangarei, 0112, Northland
  • 60, Stace Hopper Drive, Whangarei, 0118, Northland
  • 1, Kukuwai Avenue, Red Beach, 0932, Auckland
  • 25, Jonah Lomu Drive, Pukekohe, 2676, Auckland
  • 190 Matua Road, Huapai
  • 30 Main Road, Waikanae
11 Rose Manor Drive, Springlands, Blenheim