Greys are giving way to warm, grounded timber tones on Australian facades - and increasingly the warmth is aluminium underneath.
The pendulum swings warm
After years of cool greys and stark monochrome, Australian facades are reaching for warmth. Timber tones soften contemporary forms and read as more liveable, and they sit beautifully against the black-framed glazing and rendered masses that still define the look.
Why aluminium, not timber
The catch with real timber is upkeep and, on bushfire-prone land, restriction. Woodgrain aluminium lets designers deliver the warm tone the brief wants while keeping the facade non-combustible and maintenance-light - which is why the trend is showing up in metal rather than wood.
Where to start
If you want in on the look without committing the whole house, a battened entry or a single clad feature volume in a warm grain like Spotted Gum or Western Red Cedar carries most of the effect.