Maximising views of Lonely Bay, Popadich House is an architects own family home that blends with nature and offers an experience of seamless connection to the landscape. Crafted by Davor Popadich as his family home, the residence responds effectively to a coastal environment, enhancing the liveability of a secluded site.
First purchased seven years ago, an architects own family home that blends with nature is part of Hahei, a coastal settlement on the Coromandel Peninsula. “Originally, we weren’t thinking about moving here full-time,” says Popadich. “We were still thinking of having a piece of land and camping on it, but as we kept coming here, the kids never wanted to go back, so we decided to sell up and build our family home instead.” The design brief detailed a highly functional home that accommodates not only family life but also the running of two businesses. “My wife is really interested in design,” he says. “She’s a key driver behind every decision that we take as a family and the kids are incredibly engaged. We wanted the [design] process to be inclusive, so everyone feels empowered by it.” The outcome is spatially flexible and embraces the outdoors.
Approaching an architects own family home that blends with nature, residents see guest accommodation to the right of the building, while rugged greenery and a thick, rocky wall protect much of the main structure from view. From a break in the wall, steps lead to the front door, which faces the coastal vista. “We are exposed to the extremes of the weather here in Coromandel, so as far as sheltering and protecting the house from the wind and rain, the eaves and the roof are key,” says Popadich. Ahead of the durable weatherboard foundation, a sheltered courtyard and wide timber deck provide places to relax outdoors in better weather. Located at opposite ends of the house, the features allow residents to avoid contact with the coastal, eastern and north-eastern breeze without having to go inside.
“The design is hugely influenced by environmental and landscape attributes,” says Popadich. With a black-stained timber facade and corrugated iron roof, the house echoes the darkness of surrounding tree shadows and distant land masses. Inside an architects own family home that blends with nature, the timber cladding is left unstained to provide a soft, warm response to any wind and rain outdoors. To celebrate the long view of Lonely Bay, a timber shutter is added to the bathroom so residents can open a sightline directly from the bathtub. Externally, new plantings transform the original site, providing habitats for local wildlife. “When we bought this land, none of this [greenery] was here, none of the plants were here,” says Popadich. “We chose the hard route because we really wanted to restore this land as much as possible. It’s fantastic to see the hard labour paid off: the birds are back, the planting is in and it’s flowering.”
Creating an architects own family home that blends with nature, Popadich proves that people can live in relation to the landscape without imposing themselves upon it. A family project, Popadich House sees a vibrant property emerge from a simple campsite.
00:00 – Introduction to the architects own family home
00:59 – A hardworking family brief
02:06 – Walkthrough of the home
02:49 – Environmental influenced design
03:51 – Maximising views
04:15 – The material palette
04:53 – Regenerating the landscape
05:26 – Proud moments
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Photography by Sam Hartnett.
Architecture by Davor Popadich.
Build by Hot Water Beach Construction.
Landscape design by Davor Popadich and Abbe Popadich.
Filmed and edited by O&Co. Homes.
Production by The Local Production.
Location: Hahei, North Island, New Zealand
The Local Project acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua and Treaty of Waitangi partners in Aotearoa New Zealand. We recognise the importance of Indigenous peoples in the identity of our respective countries and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present and extend that respect to all Indigenous people of these lands.
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