Built for all Seasons

On a rural Canterbury block where summers run hot and winters turn frosty, a first-time build pairs dark cladding painted in Resene Element with warm interiors, showing how Hardie™ fibre cement products hold their look through the seasons.

Unable to find an existing house that suited them, Sarah and Nathan chose to build their dream house near Leeston, within reach of Christchurch yet distinctly rural. Their design was inspired by a renovated lifestyle block they toured at an open home two decades ago. “We loved that design, so in a way we copied it,” says the couple.

The land itself was run down, with tired fences and paddocks overtaken by weeds, but clear winter days revealed outstanding long-range views – and that settled the decision. Architectural designer Pete Richards prepared the plans, and his vision gave the couple the reassurance they needed to proceed. “This was what gave us the confidence that it could be built,” they say.

The finished 272m² home takes a modern farmhouse approach, combining a pavilion roofline, contrasting materials and a calm, neutral palette. Cathedral ceilings open up the living space, a dark-walled media room offers a cosier retreat, and the upstairs main bedroom looks to Mt Hutt in the west and the Port Hills in the east. Schist stone, wraparound decking and a corten steel outdoor fireplace complete the look.

For the exterior, Carl Fordyce of David Reid Homes North Canterbury, specified Oblique™ Weatherboard by James Hardie. Its alternating board widths create a rhythm that sits comfortably between contemporary and classic. Just as important was how it would cope with the site’s conditions. “We needed a product that could confidently handle darker tones in a harsh environment, across hot summers and cold winters” says Carl. 

That confidence allowed a bold, dark colour palette on a property exposed to wide temperature swings, with fibre cement cladding that holds its form to keep the home looking sharp year after year.

Inside, Hardie™ Groove Lining carries the design story through the living spaces, working alongside timber and stone. “It catches the light beautifully and adds depth without overpowering the space,” comments Carl. 

For the owners, the cladding defines the home. Just nine months passed between breaking ground and move-in, and they now cook pizza by the fire and wake to frost glistening across the paddocks. With Oblique™ Weatherboard outside and Hardie™ Groove Lining within, the project shows how Hardie™ fibre cement products can deliver a distinctive, durable result both inside and out.