Perched atop a grassy hill overlooking a spectacular mountain range are two very unique homes: a fully transparent luxury guesthouse and a floating main residence.
The modern estate named Triptych is located at Koonya on the Tasman Peninsula in southern Tasmania and comprises three contemporary structures: the main house, the ‘Pulmonum’ and the ‘Glass House’.
Appearing to float in mid-air, the newly constructed main house protrudes from the hillside towards breathtaking views of the peninsula while the Glass House is entirely surrounded by glass walls and the Pulmonum is a sculptural concrete piece connecting the three structures . together.
Four floor-to-ceiling glass walls surround the Glass House, providing those inside with 360-degree views of the surrounding grounds, but the seclusion of the house provides plenty of privacy.
Inside the Glass House is an open-plan living space with a kitchen island, dining area and lounge with wooden storage block.
On top of a grassy hill in southern Tasmania sit two incredible homes on a bush property. The Glass House is a transparent retreat that takes full advantage of the breathtaking views while the main residence appears to float in the air.
Four floor-to-ceiling glass walls surround the Glass House, providing those inside with 360-degree views of the surrounding grounds, but the seclusion of the house provides plenty of privacy.
The elegant wooden storage unit and cozy steel fireplace act as a barrier between the living room and the bedroom which only houses a built-in bed in the middle of the room so guests can wake up to the sunrise and admire the magical landscape before going to bed. started the day.
A covered veranda lines all four edges of the minimalist glass house which was built for the property owner to retreat from the main house.
From the top of the hill, the newly built main house is hidden by the hilly terrain and only a detached gray concrete structure is visible.
The structure is the front door to the house and guests descend a staircase to access the 35 meter long building which extends over the slope on which it sits.
A long hallway leads past the bedrooms and bathrooms to the living room where the picturesque view is highlighted.
Appearing to float in mid-air, the newly built main house juts out from the hillside towards Room 11’s breathtaking peninsula views designed by Tasmanian architect Thomas Bailey.
A long hallway leads past the bedrooms and bathrooms to the living room where the picturesque view is highlighted. There is also a concrete platform used as an outdoor dining area for 12 people and as a place to read a book or watch birds.
Low horizontal windows are strategically installed throughout the house so that only those in a relaxed state can enjoy the uninterrupted scenery on the peninsula outside.
There is one in the master bedroom that is only visible when lying on the bed and another in the master bathroom near the sunken bathtub in the floor.
A sheepskin wall in the master bedroom was added to “hug you” as you enter the room and offers the warmth of the “solid” concrete the house is made of, said architect Thomas Bailey. The local project.
There is also a concrete platform used as a 12-seat outdoor dining area and as a place to read a book or watch birds.
“Triptych” describes a set of three associated artistic works. The third in this architectural triptych is the Pulmonum which Bailey, director of Tasmanian architecture firm Room11, described as an “experience-based” sculptural piece.
The modern estate named Triptych is located at Koonya on the Tasman Peninsula in southern Tasmania and comprises three contemporary structures: the main house, the ‘Pulmonum’ and the ‘Glass House’.
Triptych won the Australian Institute of Architects Tasmania Awards Residential Architecture Award, with the jury praising the project as “monumental, heroic and intimate”.
Each of the three structures corresponds to the landscape that Bailey knew “extremely well” from spending time there at his family’s beach shack.
He noticed the property had a “sold” sticker as he cycled past and a few hours later was on the phone with the owner, who loved Bailey’s “brutalist style” talking about working together to build Triptych.
Triptych won the Australian Institute of Architects Tasmania Awards Residential Architecture Award, with the jury praising the project as “monumental, heroic and intimate”.
“The Glass Pavilion, while ostensibly a trope of modernism, is in fact a very attenuated essay on creating space in the Tasmanian landscape,” they said.
Each structure corresponds to the landscape that Bailey knew “extremely well” because that’s where his family’s beach cabin is located. He noticed the property had a “sold” sticker as he drove by and a few hours later he was on the phone with the owner.
The Triptych owner and Bailey client said the house was built in response to how “unpredictable” life can be, as he has learned in recent years thanks to Covid: “It means we let’s start valuing things that have coherence and assurance”
“The interior walls are made of trees and bush. The daily acts of sleeping, eating and being are in communion with the shrouded light of these specific forests.
The Triptych owner and Bailey’s client said the house was built in response to how “unpredictable” life can be, as he has learned over the past few years thanks to Covid.
“It means we start to value things that have consistency and assurance. Things like the landscape and the house became a priority. This location inspired us to create a group of buildings that participate in the landscape, in a very humble and discreet way,” he said.
“They allow me and every visitor to just enjoy the place and feel part of it. Reassured and energized. Each building or part of the painting amplifies every human need and emotion – from inspiration, comfort and relaxation to creativity, harmony and happiness.
