The Through-Coloured Facade That Evolves with the Elements

The monolithic exterior is largely defined by the gentle arrangement of grey and natural-hued panels in a range of different sizes, creating a measured rhythm across the envelope. But this calm cadence is energised by deliberate pops of colour – a delightful mix of sunny yellow, warm green, as well as shades of brown and terracotta – which bring a dynamic quality to the structure’s understated geometry. In fact, this playful configuration makes the Prvi Maj Elementary School in Alibunar, Serbia, closely resemble one of Piet Mondrian’s paintings.

The artists behind this educational project are Studio A&D Architects. Their tool? Vetérro, HVG Façades’ pre-finished fibre-cement cladding panels. Designed and engineered in Europe, these high-density panels combine authenticity of raw materials with long-term performance. But their distinct profile – as Roger Brooks, National Technical Manager for HVG Façades and Product Manager for Vetérro, explains – comes down to the unique integration of colour.

“Unlike standard fibre-cement or coated cladding systems,” he points out, “Vetérro is through-coloured, which means its natural pigment runs the entire way through the panel.”

Ageing naturally, authentically and in colour

This seamless flow of colour through the panel’s core makes creating smooth edging and cut-outs particularly neat, while also imbuing the surface with a stunning aesthetic that evolves with weather and seasons.

“It gives every facade a distinctive, matte, cement-like appearance that matures beautifully with age, retaining texture, depth and warmth without the need for applied coatings or repainting,” Roger notes, comparing the natural ageing process of these subtle fibre-cement textures to fine wine.

The resulting exteriors are honest, authentic and constantly evolving as the concrete panels develop their one-of-a-kind character over time.

However, Roger points out, that’s not to be confused with deterioration – this robust material ensures enduring performance even in the harshest Australian conditions. 
Equipped with a 10-year warranty, the weather-resistant product is autoclaved – a process that applies intense heat and pressure to eliminate moisture – which provides exceptional durability, resisting scratches, rot, moisture, insects and UV degradation for decades.

Roger notes that achieving this kind of enduring, low-impact aesthetic without ongoing maintenance solves a major pain point in modern architecture. “Traditional facade materials often compromise between durability, maintenance and environmental performance,” he explains. “Many require coatings or replacements that increase embodied carbon and long-term costs.”

Sustainable cladding without compromise

Vetérro directly addresses this challenge, helping architects balance visually striking designs with the pressing need to reduce lifecycle impacts and preserve precious resources. By using their own natural, raw composition to achieve depth, colour variation and texture – eliminating the need for surface paints or sealants as a result – Vetérro significantly reduces the use of chemicals, maintenance and long-term embodied carbon across a building’s lifecycle.

This performance is further enhanced when the panels are installed as part of a rear-ventilated facade, a system that safeguards a structure from the elements while improving overall energy efficiency by reducing trapped moisture and supporting healthy airflow. And when integrated alongside continuous insulation, express joint fibre cement panels like Vetérro can significantly improve thermal performance.

Crucially, the cladding system is also designed to meet strict building safety and environmental standards. Vetérro is classified as non-combustible and compliant with the relevant Australian building codes – NCC 2022 Vol 1 C2D10(6)(d) and Vol 2 H3D2(1)(d) – and its environmental performance is supported by an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in accordance with ISO 14025 and EN 15804.

This ensures specifiers can access transparent, third-party-verified sustainability data – be it environmental footprint, embodied carbon or resource efficiency – that aligns with frameworks targeting lifecycle and materials credits, like Green Star and NABERS.