An Opportunity To Innovate:
IMSU x James Hardie Partnership
An Opportunity To Innovate:
IMSU x James Hardie Partnership
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Project Overview
Working together since 2021, IMSU and James Hardie are both renowned as market-leading innovators. Inspired by their Modern Homes Forecast and with a strong and collaborative relationship as our foundation, IMSU saw an opportunity to design a selection of exclusive facades designed to captivate, inspire and push the boundaries of contemporary home aesthetics.
Working together since 2021, IMSU and James Hardie are both renowned as market-leading innovators.
With a strong and collaborative relationship already established, IMSU and James Hardie saw an opportunity to design a selection of exclusive facades designed to captivate, inspire, and push the boundaries of contemporary home aesthetics.
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“James Hardie’s reputation as a market leader in building design and consumer-led product development made them an exciting partner for this project.”
- Michael Zomaya, IMSU.
The Partnership
IMSU has swiftly emerged as Australia’s most daring and innovative homebuilding brand. Known for its fearless approach to design, IMSU creates homes that break conventions, delivering striking statements with lasting impact.
James Hardie is driven by a purpose to build a better future for all by understanding how people want to live. Anticipating the future needs of their customers is an integral part of James Hardie’s reputation as a trusted innovator and industry leader in the markets where they operate.
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“IMSU’s design philosophy embraces individuality, crafting unique facades that stand apart from the mainstream. We build for those who value distinctiveness and dare to go beyond convention.”
- Michael Zomaya, IMSU.
CONSUMER INSIGHTS
Sourcing Inspiration
Our range of inspired designs are renowned for their bold aesthetics and thoughtful planning.
Starting the
Collaboration Project
Discovering
Areas of Commonality
Discovering
Design Materials
Creating
An Innovative Vision
Having recently commissioned a comprehensive consumer insights project through a leading research expert, James Hardie is uniquely positioned to deliver expert advice on design trends and provide data-backed recommendations for emerging architectural styles as shown/evidenced in the Modern Homes Forecast. This body of work inspired our new designed facades to be not only artistically satisfying but also equipped to meet the needs of emerging markets in the coming years.
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“Through our extensive research piece combining advanced AI-driven technology, desktop research, and interviews with architects, designers, and key industry professionals, James Hardie decoded the current and future trajectory of home design. The James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast prompted our collaboration with IMSU and has helped them design homes that homeowners are looking for without compromise.”
“Through our extensive research piece combining advanced AI-driven technology, desktop research, and interviews with architects, designers, and key industry professionals, James Hardie decoded the current and future trajectory of home design. The James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast prompted our collaboration with IMSU and has helped them design homes that homeowners are looking for without compromise.”
- Natalie Jarrah, James Hardie.
Philosophy
In the analysis of commonality between James Hardie’s extensive customer-focused research outcomes and IMSU’s unapologetic design philosophy, we embarked on designing a selection of facades featuring a nature-inspired, minimalist aesthetic that values both form and function.
INTRODUCING THE
Japandi Style
One aesthetic style favoured these criteria above all others: the emerging “Japandi,” a hybrid architectural style combining Scandinavian functionality with Japanese minimalism to simple and elegant effect.
INTRODUCING THE
Japandi Style
The Process
IMSU elected to partner with leading Sydney architect Joseph Mammone to help realize striking facades in the Japandi style.
Two pillars of design were identified for our partnered facade selection:
IMSU and James Hardie elected to partner with leading Sydney architect Joseph Mammone to help realize striking facades in the Japandi style.
Two pillars of design were identified for our partnered facade selection:
Brutalist Japandi;
1. Brutalist Japandi;
Combining Japanese influences of tranquillity and simplicity with a Brutalist influence of solidarity and raw beauty to create artistic duality.
a) Clean lines with strong form
b) Neutral colours
c) Simplistic forms
d) Raw materials
e) Few ornate features
Naturalist Japandi;
2. Naturalist Japandi;
Focusing on the celebration of natural materials featuring colours and materials from the natural environment to create a lightweight feeling.
a) Multiple roof planes
b) Lightweight feel to structure
c) Exposed structural elements
d) Natural raw materials
e) Openness of facade
Following:
Brutalist Japandi;
VIRKANA
Virke (Noun) • “Work” or “Timber” (Swedish)
Kana (Adj) • “Powerful” (Japanese)
A triumph of robust functionality and commanding design
Virke (Noun)
“Work” or “Timber” (Swedish)
Kana (Adj)
“Powerful” (Japanese)
A triumph of robust functionality and commanding design
Following:
Naturalist Japandi;
NORDASHI
Nord (Noun) • “North” (Swedish, Danish, Norwegian)
Tashi (Adj) • “Propserity” (Japanese)
Evoking a sense of direction, stability, and prosperity.
Nord (Noun) • “North” (Swedish, Danish, Norwegian)
Tashi (Adj) • “Propserity” (Japanese)
Evoking a sense of direction, stability, and prosperity.
“The beautiful, embedded texture of Hardie™ Fine Texture Cladding and Hardie™ Brushed Concrete Cladding complement Japandi-inspired architecture and evoke a sense of tranquillity and connection with nature. Paired with striking vertical grooves of Hardie™ Oblique™ Cladding, this combination creates distinct variation and a clear separation between key design features of the home.”
- Natalie Jarrah, James Hardie.
A New Benchmark
For IMSU, collaborating with James Hardie offered a chance to partner with a trusted industry leader whose consumer insights and expertise complemented IMSU’s bold vision for design innovation.
“The James Hardie Modern Forecast deepens our understanding of future client needs, inspiring us to push creative boundaries. It has led to our first Japandi-style facade selection, and inspired an exciting new upcoming product in the Japandi style."”
- Michael Zomaya, IMSU.
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“These remarkable Japandi inspired facades highlight IMSU's commitment to delivering homes that stand the test of time, resonate deeply, and offer more appealing exteriors that make a lasting impression from the street.”
- Natalie Jarrah, James Hardie.
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Discover Japandi.
Get the Guide.
A deep dive into the exclusive IMSU x James Hardie Japandi facades—designs, materials, and more. Download the guide and explore what’s possible.
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