Modern Classic - Medium Density
Modern Classic is growing in 2026, evolving from elegant, warm, and whimsical forms. The design extends its timeless elegance through functional simplicity and purposeful layouts, balancing classic European symmetry with more approachable detailing. It features softer curves and expands indoor-outdoor flow to create more harmonious spaces that foster both shared connections and personal solace for multigenerational living.
Modern Classic is a reimagining of classic European elegance, balancing timeless architectural symmetry with more approachable detailing. It softens grandeur with warmth, outdoor connection, and quiet opulence, all crafted for today’s functional, flexible, and multigenerational lifestyle.
Prioritising tranquility and ease, Modern Classic weaves minimalist outlines and seamless indoor-outdoor connection. Subtly curved archways and textured materials bring soft, practical elegance to classical forms. Designs seamlessly connect shared, private and outdoor spaces to support both harmonious multigenerational living. Smooth connections from indoors to outdoor spaces, such as terraces or a pool area, combined with integrated biophilic elements enhance emotional wellbeing. Accessible and intentional layouts prioritise movement, ease, and enjoyment across all life stages.
A serene palette of muted creams, botanic greens, and grounding earth tones establishes a warm, resort-like elegance with enduring appeal. Tactile surfaces create visual depth, while traditional forms such as arches and trims are re-envisioned with calm, contemporary colours. The result is seamless living spaces that foster both shared connections and privacy, allowing different generations to live together comfortably.
About the Trend
Practical Guidelines
Recommended products

Axon™ Panel Brushed Concrete: The texture of the panels transforms with light and proximity, creating a smooth, contemporary appearance from a distance, but unexpectedly tactile up close.

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

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.

ExoTec™ Facade Panel: Provides a durable, expressed joint panel appearance, it will give an effortless jointed panel look with an ultra-modern feel.
Recommended paint colours
Exterior
Mt Aspiring Quarter
Mason Bay Quarter
Ōpononi
Darfield
Mt Stevens
Te Kuiti
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.
Feature case study
Coastal Multi-unit Complex
Helping to address Auckland’s need for affordable homes, this multi-unit development balances durability with contemporary coastal aesthetics.

The Design Book
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.


