The Lookout Cabin, designed by Dana McCarter Architecture, is a small, two-story guest house located on Bruny Island off the coast of Tasmania, Australia. Situated on a grassy paddock, the cabin is designed to blend quietly into the island's unique coastal landscape while offering dramatic, uninterrupted views of the Tasman Sea.

The cabin is designed for both immersion in nature and quiet refuge from the elements. The layout emphasizes a strong connection between the interior and the rugged, natural environment. With its materials chosen to weather and age gracefully, the cabin reinforces a sense of permanence and belonging within the Tasmanian landscape.

The Lookout is situated on Lunawuni/Bruny Island, a location known for its windswept coastal beauty. This specific site allows the cabin to feel secluded while maximizing the spectacular ocean views.

The exterior cladding is made from materials chosen for their resilience against the harsh coastal climate and their ability to age beautifully over time, helping the cabin to settle into the landscape.

The interior palette is warm and durable, balancing exposed concrete elements with recycled local timbers for a tactile feel.

The cabin spans two levels, ensuring that both the living and sleeping areas have expansive, uninterrupted ocean views. Oversized glass sliding doors open directly onto the rugged landscape, blurring the line between inside and out and heightening the connection to the sea. Despite its small size, the space was designed to be comfortable and functional for guest accommodation. The low-impact design of the structure allows for a unique, intimate experience of the native wildlife and vegetation. The design emphasizes observing the natural world from a position of warmth and safety.

Project credits

Architects: Dana McCarter Architecture.

Principal: Dana McCarter.

Photography: Adam Gibson.