Recovery from Kaikōura’s devastating earthquake leads to an inspiring Japandi home that’s tailored for family life and destined to win architectural praise.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Julia and Hamish, long-time residents of Kaikōura, turned the destruction of the 2016 earthquake into an opportunity to build a new home that balances high-end minimalist style with everyday functionality. Partnering with Moa Design of Christchurch, they came up with a house concept that complements Kaikōura’s distinct landscape, while prioritising family-friendly spaces and a strong indoor-outdoor connection.
Originally, the couple had planned to repair their severely damaged bungalow. However, for future safety and peace of mind, they decided to clear the site and start from scratch, turning their misfortune into an opportunity to create something truly amazing.
The architectural style they chose for their new house is known as ‘Japandi’, because it blends Japanese minimalism with cosy Scandinavian liveability. Japandi design favours natural materials, clean lines and muted colours to create tranquil, functional spaces that focus on simplicity, light and best-practice ergonomics.
“The style is consistent with the trend of Australian and New Zealand rural and beach living, yet uniquely suited to Kaikōura’s distinct landscape and culture,” says Julia.
Hardie™ fibre cement products played a crucial role in shaping the home’s aesthetic and structural integrity. In consultation with their designer and builder, Julia and Hamish selected Axon™ Panel Grooved for the exterior, due to its durability and clean, minimalist lines. Painted in Dulux® Te Kūiti, a near-black, this cladding harmonises beautifully with the surrounding landscape.
For the interior, Hardie™ Groove Lining was selected for its texture and resilience. Painted in Dulux® Ōkārito, it adds a soft, natural finish that complements the alpine views outside, while providing a long-lasting, easy-to-maintain surface that will survive family life.
The design of the home puts a strong emphasis on family gathering spaces with seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Extensive covered decking, framed by Axon™ Panel, provides a resilient, weather-resistant area for year-round socialising and outdoor family activities. A service window from the butler’s pantry opens directly onto the deck, making it easy to serve food and drinks – a brilliant feature for a family that loves to entertain.
Throughout the home, natural light has been maximised. The bedrooms get the benefit of morning sunlight, while large windows in living areas bring the surrounding landscape into focus, turning natural views into a dynamic part of the interior like ever-changing artworks.
This inspiring project highlights the versatility of Hardie™ fibre cement products for creating robust homes with a distinctive design difference. Both Axon™ Panel Grooved and Hardie™ Groove Lining are ideal choices for contemporary builds, especially in challenging environments. A growing number of architects, builders and materials specifiers recognise these products as adaptable solutions that meet the evolving demands of residential design.
PROJECT DETAILS
Location: Kaikōura
Project Type: New home build
Architectural Designer: Moa Design
Builder/Developer: SP Building & Renovation
FEATURED PRODUCTS
Axon™ Panel Grooved
Hardie™ Groove Lining
Ask James Hardie™ | 0800 808 868 | jameshardie.co.nz
HARDIE™ GROOVE LINING
A flat fibre cement sheet with vertical V-shaped grooves carved into its face, Hardie™ Groove Lining is a durable and versatile product that is ideal for soffits and eaves, as well as internal feature walls, ceilings and semi-wet areas in bathrooms and laundries.
AXON™ PANEL GROOVED
Easy to install, robust and versatile, Axon™ Panel Grooved is a clever alternative to traditional vertical shiplap weatherboards. The vertical lines complement classic and modern building designs to create stand-out facades and add visual texture to outdoor rooms. Axon™ Panel can be painted in a large variety of colours, including the darker shades.
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