About James Hardie
James Hardie is the #1 cladding brand in Australia, producing high-performance building products that empower homeowners and trade professionals to create modern homes.
With a growing portfolio of total exterior and outdoor living solutions, James Hardie opens up endless possibilities for design and aesthetics, backed by trusted protection and long-lasting beauty. For over 100 years, James Hardie has proudly provided locally manufactured building products to the Australian market.
Design modern mixed-material homes.
The introduction of Hardie™ Gravis™ Panel marks an important evolution in how modern Australian homes can be built with Hardie™ products. Hardie™ Gravis™ Panel integrates smoothly with other Hardie™ fibre cement products.
Hardie™ Gravis™ Panel is a strong lightweight masonry panel, reinforced with corrosion-protected steel for long term durability. It’s suitable for a range of applications, including exterior walls, intertenancy walls, zero lot, and as a solid subfloor.
In addition to being easy to install, Hardie™ Gravis™ Panel is non-combustible, thermally stable, and acoustically effective and designed to meet fire, acoustic and thermal requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC), making it a reliable choice for bushfire-prone areas and energy-efficient homes.
With the Hardie™ Architectural Collection, It’s Possible™ to design modern like never before.
James Hardie has taken design versatility to a new level. The Hardie™ Architectural Collection combines the renowned durability and product performance of James Hardie’s existing exterior cladding portfolio with distinctive textures and profiles, helping transform the way Australia designs and builds modern homes.
Created to complement each other, this curated cladding collection offers endless design possibilities for modern homes, with the confidence of Hardie™ fibre cement technology.
The Hardie™ Architectural Collection offers a modern, simple integrated solution of selected Hardie™ fibre cement products and Hardie™ accessories to deliver fresh looks with the trusted protection and lasting beauty of Hardie™ fibre cement technology.
James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2026
Welcome to the James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast 2026 - our third annual research report created to inspire homeowners and trade professionals with the latest modern home design styles. This year’s Forecast is grounded in the theme of Creative Expression - a guiding principle shaped by the insights gathered through our expanded research process. The Forecast decodes these insights into four Lifestyle Themes representing a distinct set of needs and aspirations. These themes are expressed through eight Modern Looks, each refined to reflect the changing expectations of Australian homeowners. From the playful optimism of Mid-Century Modern to the restorative calm of Japandi, the Looks offer a blueprint for homes that are culturally attuned and designed to support contemporary living.
Barn
Barn is evolving into an immersive, distinctive and soothing style. In 2026, the Barn is refreshed with dramatic shape, natural light and restorative palettes that evoke nature.
Box Modern
Box Modern is maturing, evolving from simple, symmetrical forms into a more dynamic, purposeful style. Boxy forms are reimagined with bright colour combinations to reflect a more creative, lifestyle-led approach.
Japandi
Japandi is evolving, moving beyond serene minimalism to become a style of quiet intelligence. Japandi prioritises smart layout and intuitive design, creating minimal, nature-integrated spaces that can help restore energy.
Mid Century Modern
Mid-Century Modern is maturing, evolving from its practical, timeless roots into a more layered and comforting direction. The look is refreshed with high-performance design and joyful maximalism, featuring bright colours, tactile finishes and expressive geometry.
Modern Classical
Modern Classical is 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.
Modern Coastal
Modern Coastal is expanding beyond its beachside roots to become an elevated, joyful and effortless style for any location. The look now embodies a refreshing coastal state of mind that is calm, playful and open, whether by the sea or in the city.
Modern Farmhouse
Modern Farmhouse is evolving from cohesive, classic comfort into a resilient, grounded and nurturing style. The style reimagines rustic warmth to include resource-smart, inclusive layouts and intuitive modern conveniences, creating homes that foster resilience across generations.
Modern Heritage
Modern Heritage is shifting, evolving into a richer aesthetic that integrates old-world charm with modern functionality, layering multi-sensorial detail and bold finishes.