vipp brings danish design to tasmania with brutalist guesthouse

Vipp Tunnel: An Off-Grid Guesthouse in Tasmania

Vipp arrives in Tasmania, curating a a bold, tunnel-like structure for its latest guesthouse. Designed by Hobart-based Room11 Architects, this off-grid concrete tunnel rises dramatically from the bushlands of Bruny Island, showcasing a blend of art, design, and nature. Perched over a sloping hill, the Vipp Tunnel frames the raw beauty of the Tasmanian landscape with brutalist design principles.

The Danish brand has expanded its portfolio to the Southern Hemisphere with this innovative guesthouse, where Room11 Architects has created a unique blend of concrete brutalism and organic surroundings. The Vipp Tunnel sits cantilevered over the rugged terrain of Bruny Island, offering stunning views of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. ‘The dramatically elongated proportions of the structure respond to the landscape by purposely framing the D’Entrecasteaux Channel with a broad expanse of frameless glass,’ says Thomas Bailey of Room11.

images © Adam Gibson

vipp brings its minimalist style to tasmania

This 160-square-meter Vipp Tunnel guesthouse brings design-minded interiors to the wilderness of Tasmania. The space took three years to complete, and stands as a demonstration of the attention to materiality and detail by the Danish brand along with the architects at Room11. The tunnel stretches thirty meters (98 feet), with floor-to-ceiling windows and recessed steel doors allowing uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. The main living area is separated from the master bedroom and bathroom by an atrium, creating a unique sense of space and light. A glass-framed terrace at the end of the tunnel further emphasizes the feeling of being at the edge of the world.

In this Tasmanian project, the design ethos of Vipp is evident in the sleek, minimalist interior. The centerpiece of the main space is Vipp’s all-aluminum V3 kitchen, featuring a stainless steel counter that echoes the materiality of the surrounding architecture. Vipp furniture, including Swivel chairs upholstered in Australian sheepskin, enhances the raw concrete aesthetic of the structure. ‘Room11 has created a truly breathtaking piece of architecture, a space for reflection and escape, that perfectly complements Vipp’s design ethos,’ says Kasper Egelund, CEO of Vipp.

Vipp Tunnel is an off-grid guesthouse in Tasmania designed by Room11 Architects

powered by an entire facade of solar panels

Vipp Tunnel’s design prioritizes sustainability, making it a model for modern off-grid living in Tasmania. The entire western facade of the building is made from solar panels, providing energy for the guesthouse. ‘As far as we are aware, this is the first building to feature an entire facade created by solar technology,’ says Thomas Bailey. Additionally, the structure is elevated to minimize its environmental footprint, and the concrete panel design provides natural thermal insulation. The building runs on rainwater and is fully self-sufficient, offering guests a truly off-the-grid experience.

Danish artist Lin Utzon contributes her iconic ‘Cosmic Dancers’ series to the Vipp Tunnel’s surroundings. These large-scale, black-and-white ceramic sculptures are scattered among the property’s red gum trees, creating a harmonious connection between art and the Tasmanian bushland. Lin, daughter of famed architect Jørn Utzon, echoes her father’s philosophy of blending art and architecture in her work, making this collaboration especially poignant.

the concrete structure is cantilevered over Bruny Island’s rugged terrain