Green building & new bldg code

[bjbTay]

Has anyone tried to finish the smooth Hardie Panel on interior walls using the mesh, but only skim coating the seams with mud rather than using plaster over the entire wall to keep the cost down? For drywall I usually use Hard Rock mixed into the first coat of mud for added strength, then proceed with the additional coats for a smooth finish. It seems to me, using this method the cost would be similar to drywall installation. Will this work?

Thank you,
Barbara

Hawaii Dreaming