James Hardie has taken its research into the contemporary housing landscape to a new level with the release of its Modern Homes Forecast 2024.
James Hardie, the country’s leading cladding brand, has undertaken a comprehensive survey of contemporary Australian home design and identified seven distinctive trends, outlined in its Modern Home Forecast 2024 . James Hardie has partnered with interior design guru Neale Whitaker on the Modern Homes Forecast. “James Hardie’s dedication to understanding and shaping the future of how Australia builds aligns perfectly with my passion for innovative design,” says Neale. “Together, we are poised to inspire homeowners and industry professionals alike, fostering a new era of creative possibilities in modern living.”
“James Hardie’s dedication to understanding and shaping the future of how Australia builds aligns perfectly with my passion for innovative design.”
Working with research partner Fiftyfive5, the team interviewed architects and designers, and reviewed three million search terms, more than 28,000 posts from the world’s most influential design social media accounts and data from 1,300 resources to identify seven modern home styles that reflect the lifestyles and interests of Australians and New Zealanders. James Hardie predicts these will drive the contemporary home landscape now and into the future.
The seven styles include Modern Farmhouse, a balance of traditional design and contemporary elements that references classic architecture, with a focus on clean lines and open spaces, as well as Box Modern, which is characterised by large blocks or cube-shaped volumes that are stacked, intersecting or arranged to form compelling contemporary residences. Modern Heritage encompasses traditional homes elevated through sensitive restoration and bold renovation efforts, with contrast as a defining element, while Mid-Century Modern is a classic style that balances contemporary minimalism with finesse, intelligence and spirit, reconfigured for the 21st century. Japandi offers a hybrid of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality, creating warm spaces marked by simplicity and elegance, whereas Barn is inspired by Nordic minimalism, with vaulted ceilings, open-plan living spaces, pitched gable roofs and a dedication to craftsmanship and natural materials. Lastly, Modern Coastal is a contemporary take on traditional coastal design, where laid-back luxurious spaces meet strong indoor-outdoor connections.
The research identified multiple influences driving changes in the housing landscape. Global drivers included inflation, supply chain issues, climate change, the generational power shift away from Boomers and towards Millennials and Gen X and Y, covid and political instability. Locally, factors were identified as societal, technological, economic and political and ranged from an increasing interest in health and wellbeing – translating into a desire for our living spaces to feel more tranquil and connected to nature – multigenerational living becoming more common, an ageing population and the shift to working from home.
To help homeowners articulate what they want and support trade professionals to deliver their clients’ dream homes, James Hardie has also produced Design Handbooks, offering comprehensive insights into each of the seven concepts. The handbooks cover such factors as design features, material textures, colour palettes and the company’s exterior cladding solutions. Additionally, James Hardie has collaborated with leading design professionals – matched to each home style – to glean their expertise and insights. The first publication, the Modern Farmhouse Design Handbook, has been released this month and can be found here.
