Popadich House by Davor Popadich

Maximising views of Lonely Bay, Popadich House 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.

Purchased seven years ago, the site of Popadich House 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 to accommodate 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 make as a family and the kids are incredibly engaged. We wanted the [design] process to be inclusive, so everyone feels empowered by it.”

The design brief detailed a highly functional home which accommodates not only family life but also the running of two businesses.

Approaching the house on a long driveway, residents see guest accommodation to the right of the building; 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 that 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 coastal, eastern and north-eastern breezes 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 the home, the timber cladding is left unstained to provide a soft, warm response. To celebrate the long view of Lonely Bay, a timber shutter is added to the bathroom so that 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,” he says. “It’s fantastic to see the hard labour paid off: the birds are back, the planting is in and flowering.”

With a black-stained timber facade and corrugated iron roof, the house echoes the darkness of surrounding tree shadows and distant land masses.

Creating a robust home with expansive views, 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.

Architecture by Davor Popadich. Build by Hot Water Beach Construction. Landscape design by Davor Popadich and Abbe Popadich.