Modern Bach
Inspired by relaxed Kiwi holidays at the beach, Modern Bach design style offers a contemporary take on traditional coastal design with laid-back spaces, modern minimalism and earthy, dark, vertical weatherboards.
The modern bach is a contemporary take on traditional coastal design. The style is inspired by the New Zealand way of life and beach bach history but modernised with an injection of sleek minimalism. Being harmonious with climate whilst connecting to the architectural history of the region is the benchmark for this architectural style.
Modern bach home design is defined by spaces that lend themselves to a laid-back, luxurious lifestyle where the lines between indoor and outdoor are blurred. These homes are foundationally open-plan beach house designs, and when combined with other simple elements, accentuate available space, creating homes where occupants feel free to move around. The layout is enveloped by large-span windows and wide entrances to capture the sunlight and beachside.
On the façade, the flexible roof styles range from a bold gable, flat roof or skillion roof to provide a designer look. Well chosen, generous windows can be enhanced with shading hoods or vertical screens to provide shading and enable the homeowner the freedom to express their own personal style and illuminate the landscaping from all angles of the home.
Earthy toned weatherboards combine with contemporary clean lines to marry minimalist and coastal design, amplifying a nostalgic ambience for carefree summer days. Interiors are light-filled and breezy, featuring lightweight furniture, natural textures and soft shades of green and blue.
About the Trend
Design Features
Flexible roof: A modern angular skillion roof, bold gable or flat roof style adds clean modernist lines to the facade and immediately evoke a contemporary Kiwi and coastal architectural style.
Vertical cladding: The fresh facade typically features earthy, dark lightweight vertical cladding such as weatherboards. The elongated vertical facade is dominating this modern evolution of coastal living.
Earthy colour palette: In NZ the coastal homes merge with their surrounds, and are sympathetic rather than standing out. Darker and more earthy tones are favoured creating a seamless transition between the house and the surrounding landscape.
Wellbeing: The pared back, effortless coastal design epitomises laid-back luxury ideal for entertainment and relaxation. Indoor/outdoor flow and coastal views ensure an uninterrupted connection to nature and one another.
Interiors: Inside, the Modern Bach style often includes an open-plan living area, with a focus on natural light and a connection to the outdoors. The use of neutral colours, such as white, gray, and beige, helps to create a relaxed and calming atmosphere, complementing the more rustic and neutral expression of these homes.
Recommended products
Oblique™ Weatherboard: The narrower profile of 200mm, installed vertically combines well with other styles, providing a modern low maintenance design.
Axon™ Panel Smooth: The smooth finish in combination with Hardie™ Axent™ Trim create depth, texture and height to the design.
Axon™ Panel Grooved: The flowing lines are ideal for creating modern coastal facades with a finish that’s visually sophisticated and dynamic.
Stria™ Cladding: The distinctive deep grooved lines and can be laid horizontally or vertically for an eye-catching effect to complement horizontal weatherboards.
Options in select areas:
Hardie™ Groove Lining: Use for feature interior walls and ceilings and externally on eaves and soffits.
Why Now?
- Recent social, economic, political and environmental chaos has resulted in retreating and cocooning
- The Modern Bach look is reflective of New Zealand’s nostalgic love of beach Bach’s and the associated laid-back lifestyle
- Constantly evolving since its origins, the look is now less literal, tied in with contemporary design elements to suit modern, hybrid lifestyles
- Modern Bach is perfect for homeowners looking for the relaxed, pared back living that a coastal-inspired contemporary home offers
An evolution of existing weatherboard styles, the modern coastal home has become one of the most popular housing styles in New Zealand and Australia in the last decade.
Recommended paint colours
Exterior
Dulux
Pūkaki Half
Pūkaki Half
Dulux
Rangitīkei River
Rangitīkei River
Dulux
Moana Reserve
Moana Reserve
Dulux
Punga Cove
Punga Cove
Dulux
Piha
Piha
Dulux
Blackwood Bay
Blackwood Bay
Interior
Dulux
Ōkārito
Ōkārito
Dulux
Sandfly Point
Sandfly Point
Dulux
Moana Reserve
Moana Reserve
Dulux
Te Horo
Te Horo
Dulux
Pūkaki Half
Pūkaki Half
Dulux
Punga Cove
Punga Cove
Linea™ Weatherboard and Stria™ Cladding
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
Modern Magic, Stria™ Cladding and Linea™ Weatherboard
Overlooking a river in North Auckland, this modernistic family home makes a bold statement against the verdant green of its rural setting.
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