Concrete Vipp Tunnel cantilevered above the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, with coloured skylight glass on the roof

An off-grid retreat among red gums, cantilevered over the D'Entrecasteaux Channel.

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Commanding 300 metres of shoreline on Bruny Island, Tunnel was designed to tread lightly on the trees and vegetation around it.

A bathing pavilion with a round outdoor bath, a sunken lounge and a series of decks carry the stay out into the landscape.

Solar panels clad the west façade and the house runs entirely on solar energy and rainwater, while its concrete panels keep the interior insulated through every season.

(SURROUNDINGS)

Cosmic Dancers

Danish artist Lin Utzon's black and white ceramic Cosmic Dancers stand among the red gum trees across the property and in the open atrium courtyard between the living spaces.

Lin Utzon's Cosmic Dancers sculptures among gum trees by the water

The channel

Cantilevered over the hillside, the concrete frame opens onto the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, where dolphins pass and whales migrate in season.

Covered concrete deck framing the D'Entrecasteaux Channel

Island wildlife

Wallabies graze in the grasses around the house, and sea eagles circle above the bushland that runs down to the shore.

Wallaby in the grass on Bruny Island

Morning sun through the gum trees, with Tunnel among the grasses — MorningSun breaks through the gum trees and lights the grasses along the ridge.

The concrete tunnel among gum trees in full daylight — MiddayFull daylight falls on the concrete shell, cantilevered over the hillside.

Low golden sun behind the gum trees and the dark façade of the house — Golden hourLow sun backlights the gums as the house settles into shadow.

Tunnel lit from within at dusk under a violet sky — EveningThe lights come on and the sky over the channel turns violet.

(THROUGH THE DAY)

Morning

Sun breaks through the gum trees and lights the grasses along the ridge.

Midday

Full daylight falls on the concrete shell, cantilevered over the hillside.

Golden hour

Low sun backlights the gums as the house settles into shadow.

Evening

The lights come on and the sky over the channel turns violet.

(ON THE ISLAND)

(01) Coastal walks along capes and beaches
(02) Kayaking the tranquil channel waters
(03) Wallabies, sea eagles and dolphins
(04) Seasonal whale migrations
(05) Local produce and wine
(06) Outdoor bath and outdoor fire
(07) Access by car and ferry only

With minimal light pollution, Bruny Island turns every clear night into a lesson in stargazing.

Showcasing a striking brutalist concrete design, Tunnel seamlessly merges art and architecture.

Showcasing a striking brutalist concrete design, Tunnel seamlessly merges art and architecture.