Danish design brand Vipp has turned its attention Down Under, building its 11th guesthouse into the sloping hills and bushland of Tasmania. 

Bruny Island, a short 20-minute ferry ride from Hobart, is known for its natural beauty and local oysters. It is also the location of the Vipp Tunnel guesthouse, designed in collaboration with Hobart-based architects Room11.

A Danish connection in Australia 

Vipp Tunnel represents a melding of Danish design sensibility with the topography of Australian land. 

The guesthouse is a sculptural, brutalist structure that appears as if dropped into the bushlands. Balancing on the edge between solid ground and open air, Vipp Tunnel expresses a dichotomy between concrete cubism and its organic setting.

The remote atmosphere of Tasmania, often called ‘the edge of the world’, mirrors the secluded and self-sufficient nature of the guesthouse, while the quintessential Australian terrain surrounding the structure complements the minimalist Danish interiors. 

The design reflects Room11’s dedication to craftsmanship and distinctive approach to architecture that highlights landscape, detail and materiality. 

Richard Munao, founder of Cult Design, an official Australian stockist of the Vipp furniture collection, says Vipp Tunnel offers a profound, immersive new way to engage with Danish craftsmanship and innovation. 

“Set against one of Australia’s most awe-inspiring landscapes, this architectural masterpiece masterfully juxtaposes the raw beauty of nature with the precision of refined interiors,” Munao says.  

Created for off-grid living

Sustainable design practices were embedded into the development of the building to minimise environmental impact.

A narrow construction corridor was established to limit disruption on endemic vegetation. The guesthouse also runs purely on rainwater and self-sufficient energy, operating entirely off-grid.

Room11 director and architect Thomas Bailey says the entire western façade is derived from the geometry of the solar array, making the most of the location’s latitude and prioritising green energy production in contemporary construction.

“It’s a celebration of a new frontier in sustainable construction,” he says.

Read more about the Vipp Tunnel guesthouse here. 

Read about Patryk Koca’s Boardwalk collection available through Cult.