Linea Weatherboard heritage character

On a street shaped by New Zealand’s past, two new homes needed to look like they belonged while giving their owners a modern, low maintenance build for the long term.

Sitting within an older residential area of Christchurch where the established streetscape carries real weight in both planning and design decisions. For VIP Design, the brief for two new homes was never just about satisfying a rule book.

“The site is in a designated character area, so it was important that the new homes responded appropriately to the heritage qualities and established streetscape of the neighbourhood,” says Megan Verity, Principal Designer, VIP Design. 

“From both a planning and design perspective, the homes needed to acknowledge the area’s traditional architectural character while providing modern, functional living spaces. Beyond the regulatory requirements, we also wanted the development to feel like a natural extension of the street and contribute positively to the neighbourhood.”

That balance between modern living and a traditional streetscape influenced the choice of cladding from early on. VIP Design liked the look of timber weatherboards, but without the upkeep that comes with real timber.

“We wanted to achieve the appearance of traditional timber weatherboards while delivering a durable, low-maintenance solution for the client,” says Megan. “Hardie™ fibre cement provides a consistent finish and is resistant to many of the issues associated with natural timber, making it a practical option for long-term performance without compromising on aesthetics.

Given the importance of achieving a heritage-inspired architectural
outcome, Linea™ Weatherboard allowed us to capture the desired
character while providing the benefits of a modern cladding system.”
Painted Resene® Half black white the finished homes clearly draw on
traditional New Zealand villa and bungalow forms: simple gabled roofs
with rooms tucked into the roof space, verandah detailing and vertically proportioned windows with defined trim. Linea™ Weatherboard, installed in the 180mm profile, was chosen to carry that look through into the cladding.

“Linea™ Weatherboard helped reinforce the heritage character by providing the depth, shadow lines and scale typically associated with traditional timber weatherboards. It allowed us to create an authentic appearance while utilising a contemporary building material that offers better performance.”

Durability and low maintenance were front of mind for the client from the outset, and were a key reason Hardie™ fibre cement cladding won out over the timber alternatives.

“Like many homeowners, the client was seeking a cladding solution that would retain its appearance over time and minimise ongoing maintenance requirements,” says Megan. While traditional building materials can require more frequent upkeep, Hardie™ fibre cement cladding provides excellent durability, dimensional stability and resistance to issues such as warping and rot when installed and maintained in accordance with James Hardie’s published literature current at the time of purchase.

This gives homeowners confidence in the longterm performance of the exterior while reducing maintenance demands and helping preserve the intended appearance of the homes. This gives homeowners confidence in the longterm performance of the exterior while reducing maintenance demands and helping preserve the intended appearance of the homes.”

That precision also paid off in the finer detailing, which is something that matters even more on a home built around period detail. 
“The consistency and accuracy of Linea™ Weatherboard helped achieve clean detailing at corners, window surrounds, gable ends and verandah junctions,” Megan adds. 

“Heritage-inspired homes rely heavily on crisp detailing and strong shadow lines and the uniformity of the product assisted in achieving these outcomes. The straightness and consistency of the boards also helped maintain a high-quality finish throughout the project.”

For M Group Properties, developer for the project, the benefits of Linea™ Weatherboard extended well beyond the finished aesthetic. “The simple installation method helped streamline construction and enabled cladding works to be completed efficiently”. James Hardie also provides all the documentation required for council, along with robust warranties, giving us confidence that the product was fully compliant throughout the inspection process.”

That confidence has carried through to the sales process too. “Clients love the look that the Hardie™ fibre cement cladding produces, and it’s made selling our homes a lot easier,” says Carl. The two new homes now sit alongside villas and bungalows built a century earlier – proof that a modern, low-maintenance material can carry forward a street’s character rather than compete with it.