New Materials, New Possibilities

Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding

Preston Lane Architects’ Zig-Zag House is a striking and sympathetic, two-story contemporary addition of an Edwardian brick terrace in inner-city Melbourne which showcases how Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding can deliver a modern design aesthetic.

Being a light-weight user-friendly fibre cement cladding product, means Hardie Fine Texture Cladding panels could be used in a different way to create a new and interesting concertina façade concept. From a design perspective, using 600mm wide Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding panels arranged at 90 degrees with internal and external corner junctions, using the new Hardie™ 9mm Aluminium External Slimline Corner, provides a dynamic exterior that captures shadows as the sun moves across the fine texture finish of the wall panels.

Zig-Zag House’s façade is made possible because Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding panels are pre-sealed, pre-textured fibre cement panels which can be fixed and painted. They also deliver an on-trend designer look without the need for a renderer, specialist cement, or other texture coating. Pre-sealed panels and a ship-lap groove mean installation is quicker than other exterior options, making them a cost-effective building material solution. The panels are low maintenance and provide long-lasting beauty, providing peace of mind for homeowners.

The lightweight cladding wrapping the upper story ensures floor area is maximised and the ground level can exploit large, open spans. Although attracting attention, the concertina façade also offers privacy as second storey bedroom windows are obscured from direct view by the dynamic exterior. In the courtyard, concertina folds of Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding continue and are painted grey, distinguishing them from the upper storey and creating a scene humming with contemporary energy.

Zig Zag house demonstrates that distinctive forms can be both affordable and achievable with Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding.