Vipp Tunnel: A Design Marvel on Bruny Island
Discover the Vipp Tunnel: A Design Marvel on Bruny Island
A Concrete, Off-Grid Tunnel Rising from Tasmania's Bushlands.
Vipp travels to the Southern Hemisphere for its 11th guesthouse opening. Cantilevered over a sloping hill on Tasmania’s Bruny Island, the architecturally daring and sustainably designed Vipp Tunnel by Hobart-based studio, Room11, balances beauty and brutalism.
In the 160 m² tunnel stretching 30 meters, wall-to-wall glass and recessed steel doors provide unobstructed views of the soulful landscape of the Tasmanian sea and mountains. Floor-to-ceiling windows and lightwells imbue the space with a sense of luminosity. An atrium yard separates the main living space from the master bed and bathroom, while at the end of the tunnel, a glass door leads to a framed terrace floating above the land – showcasing an architectural finesse that underscores the sensation of being at the edge of the world.
“It is a place where the cut of contemporary architectural thinking is starkly rendered against a raw natural context."
- Thomas Bailey, Architect AIA, Director Room11
The Vipp Experience
Whereas Tasmania provides the breathtaking exterior, Vipp supplies the interior. As if made for this project, Vipp’s all-aluminium V3 kitchen is the centrepiece of the main space. With a monumental stainless steel counter and fluted aluminium doors, the kitchen island mirrors the materiality of the building’s architecture.
As a nod to its location, Vipp Swivel chairs are upholstered in Australian sheep skin, providing a sense of sophisticated elegance against the raw shell of the tunnel. These chairs are paired with the Cabin Dining Table, creating a refined dining area that complements the minimalist design.
In the bespoke sunken lounge, a Vipp Sculpture lamp with its characteristic light dome is placed atop a Vipp coffee table, adding high-quality materials and refined detailing to this corner of softness.
A bathroom with a view to the towering gum trees features a white Vipp bathroom module and accessories against flooring in black tiles, complemented by the iconic Vipp Bin.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Inspired by the area’s natural phenomenon known as Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, Room11 has added chromatic glazing to the building’s central skylights. Polished concrete floors and walls further enhance the effect, reflecting the ever-changing interplay of light that dances throughout the otherwise understated interior like an ever-changing artwork.
"The kaleidoscopic lightwell installation offers a dynamic interplay of colour and time. As the sun moves and seasons shift, vivid hues of yellow, pink, and orange are cast across the concrete interior marking the changing light at 42° south. Designed to respond to seasonal transitions, the installation ensures that no two visits are ever the same.”
- Dane Taylor, Entrepreneur of the project
Sound of Silence
A separate, 35 m² concrete cube with 4-metre-high ceilings referred to as ‘the studio’ offers an escape to a space of visual and sensory calm. Ideal as an office or meditation room, its spare design highlights the architecture and comprises only a Vipp Swivel chair against an integrated desk and a hidden mezzanine double bed.
Cosmic Dancers by Lin Utzon
To further strengthen the unique marriage of Danish design and Australian architecture, Danish artist Lin Utzon has brought an edition of her iconic ‘Cosmic Dancers’ series to the shores of Bruny Island. Placed among the property’s red gum trees, the large-scale, black and white ceramic sculptures echo the elongated strokes on the characteristic trees.
As the daughter of Jørn Utzon, the world-renowned architect who designed the Sydney Opera House, Lin’s ties to Australia run deep. Now a successful artist in her own right, Lin’s work often mirrors her father’s philosophy of harmonising art and architecture. The display of her ‘Cosmic Dancers’ in the Australian bushland alongside the architectural design of Vipp Tunnel creates a strong connection to these aspects of her life and work.
A Sustainable Hideaway
Clad with an entire façade of solar panels facing west, the structure is energy-sufficient and runs off-grid. “The entire western façade is derived from the geometry of the solar array. An unequivocal statement of prioritising green energy production in contemporary construction,” says Thomas Bailey.
With engineering ingenuity, the building’s elevation from the ground minimizes the construction's direct footprint. During the design process, Room11 conducted surveys of every tree on-site and articulated roadworks around significant trees. A narrow construction corridor was established so that the impact on endemic vegetation was kept to an absolute minimum. The concrete panel design provides thermal insulation to keep a regular temperature throughout the year, minimizing the use of heating and cooling sources. For optimal comfort, the building has heated flooring throughout and air conditioning.
This getaway is purely run off rainwater and self-sufficient energy. Add to that plenty of local produce to be bought on the island, and guests can truly be living off the land.
Slowing Down, Down Under
Sweeping views of the island’s lush flora and fauna invite guests to connect with nature and turn a visit into a study in the art of slowing down. A stay on Bruny Island is an invitation to breathe in some of the cleanest air in the world. Key to the charm of the island is the singular wildlife and abundance of natural sights. Here, birds patrol the skies over ‘The Neck’, a picturesque strait connecting North and South Bruny. Penguins surf the waves in Adventure Bay, and rare white wallabies remind you that you are indeed far away from home.
Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, the island provides a range of experiences from coastal walks and wildlife spotting to indulging in local food and wine. Witness seasonal whale migrations, explore secluded beaches, or simply unwind in the serene, architecturally designed space.
The Vipp Tunnel on Bruny Island is more than just a guesthouse; it’s an immersive experience that marries cutting-edge design with the raw beauty of Tasmania’s landscape. Whether you’re a design enthusiast, nature lover, or simply seeking a unique getaway, the Vipp Tunnel offers an unparalleled retreat.
Explore Vipp Products Featured in the Vipp Tunnel
Discover the exquisite Vipp products featured in the Vipp Tunnel, available through Cult Design. Each piece enhances your living space with timeless elegance and functionality, reflecting the perfect blend of Danish craftsmanship and the raw beauty of the Australian wilderness.
The Vipp427 Coffee Table Square and Vipp452 Swivel Chair offer minimalist charm and sophisticated comfort. The Vipp592 Sculpture Table Lamp adds refined detailing, while the Vipp494 Cabin Round Table creates an elegant dining space.
Additionally, the Vipp Tunnel is fitted with Vipp's accessory collection, including the iconic Vipp Bin, Vipp Cup, Vipp Milk Jug, Vipp Glass, and Vipp Plate.
Explore these products and more through Cult Design, and bring a piece of the Vipp Tunnel's unique blend of design and nature into your own home.
