Five James Hardie products fit for prefab and modular homes inspired by Mid-Century Modern design

Mid-Century Modern house design and architecture, rooted in the works of greats like Frank Lloyd Wright and Alvar Aalto, remains a cornerstone of contemporary design. Mid-Century Modern is an enduring style, building on its nature-loving roots by embracing resilience. There is now a larger focus on incorporating long-lasting materials, modular adaptability and energy-efficient innovations. Its elevated design is ideal for the Australian climate and lifestyle, but what’s the best way to build a Mid-Century house?

In one of our recent vodcasts, we spoke to Daniel Thake, founder and director of MIRA Residential, on this very subject.

“Mid-Century Modern remains timeless and relevant thanks to its practicality, simplicity, and sense of optimism,” says Thake. “This means that people are looking for efficient ways to build these enduring designs.”

Meanwhile, continue reading to discover:

• Why Mid-Century Modern is a perfect fit for prefab and modular design

• How to efficiently build a Mid-Century home

• Why exterior solutions by James Hardie fit seamlessly with Mid-Century home design

Mid-Century interior design meets prefab and modular architecture

Prefabricated (prefab) and modular homes are revolutionising modern construction. Prefab homes are built in a controlled factory environment and then transported to the site, whereas modular homes consist of multiple factory-built sections assembled on location.

There are some major benefits to building with this method. As Thake explains, “Building the majority of a home in a factory can generate less waste, create fewer site disturbances, and allow for tighter construction timeframes.” Other advantages include:

Speed: Construction occurs alongside site work and can reduce build time by 30 to 50 per cent.

Longevity: Wise product choice can reduce material waste and energy consumption.

Resilience: Homes can be designed for extreme climates and bushfire-prone areas. Hardie™ fibre cement is fire-resistant, and all products in the Hardie™ Architectural Collection adhere to bushfire attack level requirements of BAL29 or higher.

A popular style emerging in the mid-20th Century, Mid-Century Modern homes are well-suited for prefab and modular construction due to their simple, modular forms, which are easy to replicate, repair, or expand. Think flat roofs, large windows and open plan split-level living. The Mid-Century interior style fits well with this approach, too. Its emphasis on natural light, ventilation, and harmonious indoor-outdoor spaces also aligns with passive housing principles, reducing reliance on artificial climate control.

Thake also highlights the importance of flexibility: “The modular design allows homeowners to adjust spaces like bedrooms, living areas or fitness zones to suit evolving needs.”

Why exterior solutions by James Hardie work so well with modular and prefab homes

James Hardie’s fibre cement exterior products are an ideal fit for prefab and modular homes, including those inspired by Mid-Century Modern design.

Hardie™ fibre cement offers resilience, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal, allowing homeowners to achieve the iconic Mid-Century Modern style with modern performance benefits.

Thake also emphasises the importance of durability, and points to the lower maintenance required with Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture in comparison to timber products.

“It’s suitable for BAL 40 bushfire requirements, allowing us to deliver homes in complex bushfire site locations, while being a cost-effective solution,” he says.

Available in a range of stylish textures and finishes, exterior solutions by James Hardie allow for the clean lines and layered elevations characteristic of Mid-Century Modern and modular designs.

5 dream products by James Hardie

Here are five products to achieve the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic with exterior solutions by James Hardie:

1. Stria™ Cladding Fine Texture: This cladding was used by Daniel Thake to create strong horizontal lines, reinforcing Mid-Century Modern’s emphasis on linearity.

2. Axon™ Cladding 133mm: The narrow, vertical groove look enhances the geometric characteristics of the Mid-Century Modern look and also makes it ideal for prefab and modular homes.

3. Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding: The sand-like, matte finish aligns perfectly with the efficiency of Mid-Century Modern design.

4. Linea™ Weatherboard: Its sharp, horizontal lines complement the flat or raked rooflines and large windows, reinforcing the ethos of integrating the home with the surrounding landscape.

5. Versilux™ Lining: “We utilised Versilux™ Lining (a sanded sheet) and negative joins where the module meets the built-on site carport, so it’s not obvious where the joins are, showcasing an established home,” explains Thake.

As Mid-Century Modern continues to evolve, its synergy with prefab and modular construction becomes more and more evident. By incorporating flexible layouts and durable, long-lasting materials like James Hardie’s portfolio of fibre cement exterior solutions, homeowners can enjoy a home that is built for the future.