James Hardie

Sara Flaksbard

The 2025 James Hardie Modern Homes Forecast was held at The Calyx in Sydney and blended expert-led, pre-recorded insights with a polished live experience. Designed as a hybrid event, the format enabled a luxyuring in-person experience while reaching a broader online audience. The event’s theme — resilient, sustainable design — was selected to reflect the Thought Leadership being launched. It was important this was reflected throughout the culinary design to provide a total sensory experience. The food and beverage experience promoted wellbeing and supported environmentally responsible food choice.

Laissez-faire Catering delivered a vibrant, sustainability-driven menu that complemented the thought leadership message of innovation and low-impact design in housing. Arrival canapés included Akoya oysters — ethically farmed in Western Australia — paired with avocado and native finger lime, alongside vegan panisse with artichoke and baby herbs. These food choices were also selected for their natural benefits to digestion and welbeing.

Entrées featured Chris Bolton’s line-caught Coral Trout tartare with Koshihikari rice, a standout example of zero-waste sourcing from a Reef Guardian-certified supplier. Mains included Coppertree Farms sous vide beef with roast cauliflower cream, and a vegan Moroccan Wellington with beach bananas — each dish reinforcing the event’s sustainability ethos through local sourcing, nutritional value, and minimal environmental impact.

The catering played a critical role in showcasing James Hardie’s commitment to healthier, more sustainable living. Every element — from superfood-forward dishes to reusable serviceware — was carefully curated to support the objectives. The result was a dining experience that nourished guests while aligning seamlessly with the brand's vision for the modern, resilient home.