Rhys Stanley and his partner Kirsten are excited to announce the completion of their dream Barn home located on a perfect 140-acre spot on the surf coast between Geelong and Torquay in Victoria.

The Barn is one of the seven contemporary home styles featured in James Hardie’s Modern Homes Forecast. James Hardie commissioned an extensive study into the direction of modern home design in Australia and New Zealand. Conducted by leading research experts Fiftyfive5, the study gathered data from thousands of individual sources, including more than 28,340 posts from over 200 of the world’s most renowned designers and influencers. This research, along with analysis of over three million search terms, identified seven home styles designed to suit modern lives, including the Barn style.

Kirsten has enjoyed sharing the build process on Instagram, working closely with designer Tanya from Jacobsen Love. "Taking that big patch of dirt and turning it into this amazing family home has been a labour of love," Tanya said. "Details like the steeply pitched gable roof, the vaulted ceilings, and the unmistakable Barn shape are what makes this style something that people fall in love with."

Driven by a growing number of people seeking a slower, more uncomplicated way of life, providing a retreat within their urban environment, the Barn is grounded in minimalist design principles, embracing a greener lifestyle and exists harmoniously with its surroundings. Its cost-effective nature, focusing on essentials and avoiding excess, attracts both homeowners and trade professionals. At the forefront of Barn design is a sense of calm and wellbeing, making it ideal for those looking for functionality and simplicity in their homes.

"It draws inspiration from the Danish philosophy of ‘hygge’, the value of creating beautiful environments that promote feelings of contentment and wellbeing," Kirsten explained. "When you have a family of five, you need all the serenity you can get."

Rhys added, "The Barn takes its inspiration from Nordic minimalism. It’s simple, versatile, and really inviting. We’re so happy to be working with James Hardie to put together the Barn Design Handbook, so you can achieve this look too."

Architecturally, the Barn adopts the structure of the classic barn and incorporates contemporary design concepts to maximise natural light and create an open-plan flow through the house. For the exterior, the couple wanted that sense of craftsmanship, so they chose Axon™ Cladding for the fine detail of vertically grooved panels, without time-consuming board construction or durability hassles.

Axon™ Cladding

"We’ve invested so much time and attention in details like the vaulted ceilings and large windows that are essential to the character of the Barn home," Kirsten noted. "We have also loved getting the combination of materials right, capturing the architectural feel of the Barn. The sandstone accents and the beautiful, curved archways along hallways add character and personality to our place. It just feels right."

"The handbook will show you how to get the Barn look and feel, including the steeply-pitched gable roof, barn-shaped detailed exterior, and large windows," Rhys said. "You can create the drama and visual impact of the Barn with Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding and the distinctive deep grooved lines of Stria™ Cladding – both perfectly complement the Barn shape."

Linea Weatherboard

Discover how you can create the calming aesthetic of the Barn design for your own home through the comprehensive James Hardie Design Handbook. Packed with tips on architectural elements, Hardie™ exterior cladding solutions, colour schemes, and material selections, this handbook is your go-to resource for Barn-inspired design.

Learn more

The Barn Design Handbook

James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast

Architecture & Design Team

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James Hardie Australia

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