Nature is the biggest trend in contemporary architecture. More and more, we’re seeing homes designed to blend in with their surroundings, turning the local landscape into the focal point.

At our Narrabeen Residence project, we made extensive use of Shou Sugi Ban cladding. The charred timber might look like a bold statement when you handle a sample, but in situ, the cladding seems soft and subtle, almost part of the cliffside.

These images show how charred timber cladding looks when it’s had a few months to weather and fade. The charcoal tones have softened in the coastal air, fading to a slightly silvered colour that fades into the surrounding greenery.

Contemporary architecture and soft curves go hand in hand. They’re a gorgeous feature that have become a design staple, providing relief from the rigidity of past years’ trends.

These curves work best when they have a point of reference. In The Springs, the architect paired gentle curves with the rigid lines of timber cladding, offering the best of both worlds.

Each design element works with and against the other, the juxtaposition creating design interest that draws the eye across the property. Straight lines give it structure, while the broad entryway arches soften its appearance.

We’re still firm favourites of mid century design. It’s here to stay, and we expect to see plenty of mid century influence in 2025 and beyond.

Mid century homes feature some of our favourite cladding aspects. Red bricks. Breezeblocks. Natural timber. And, of course, fibre cement.

Fibre cement panels are some of the most underrated cladding options on the market. While the material might have started life in industrial settings, it has evolved into an architectural staple.

Using fibre cement for cladding can help you achieve the elusive concrete-look surface, without the environmental impact. These panels are stunning, tough and they’re available in hundreds of colours and finishes.

Nothing shows this off better than our Maggie Street project. This home is the pinnacle of mid century industrial. It wears its design influences proudly, blending old and new in a way that’s unique to its Newcastle setting.

The use of timber, red brick and iron is a nod to the region’s recent history, but the property is firmly in the 21st century with a striking use of red fibre cement boards.

These large-format boards create a uniform skirt around the base of the property, and the rich hues help to keep the home grounded.

Cohesive design is the mark of fine architecture. When each element flows together, it’s possible to create a space that’s truly special.

This extends to your exterior design. While the facade has traditionally been a self-contained element, we’re leaning into designs that blend the indoors with the out.

We recently completed our Wesley Court project, where we specified facade materials that could be carried into the home as well.

The exterior battens lend strong lines to a home that’s full of curves, and they flow through the entryway into the central living spaces. Outdoors, these battens catch the light and soften the exterior, while they serve as a striking detail indoors.

The interior details are even carried through into the kitchen, where we’ve selected charred timber for the kitchen island, cabinetry and internal walls.

Weatherboards never go out of style. They’re simple, effective and visually appealing. Their timeless charm also makes them easy to pair with other cladding elements, like stone, bricks, render and fibre cement.

In this project, we took it a step further by installing wood-look aluminium weatherboards. Our Alu Selekta cladding looks just like timber, but it performs exceptionally well in Australia’s harshest climates.

This particular property lives near the coast. The weatherboard cladding supports its Hamptons styling, and the combin