From shed to sanctuary: Bruny Island tin shed hides a four-bedroom designer home

A weathered corrugated iron shed on Bruny Island's Simpsons Bay conceals a four-bedroom designer home. The project was led by Hobart architects Giles Newstead, Richard Loney and Richard Brenchley, who previously worked on converting a North Hobart industrial warehouse into two luxury townhouses. Portions of that earlier project were salvaged when a vacant Bruny Island lot offered a chance to reimagine the materials into a new residence. The result is a minimalist yet warm home that foregrounds natural timber, industrial accents and expansive forest views. The location offers easy access to a walking track and the sandy shoreline of Simpsons Bay, with the site perched in a secluded enclave that nonetheless remains in reach of nature's rhythms.

Inside, a monumental indoor/outdoor fireplace anchors the living deck, which is partly covered and opens to a deck with floor-to-ceiling glass and timber doors. The interior uses warm timber on floors, walls and ceilings; the kitchen showcases solid timber surfaces and a timber island bench built by a local craftsman from reclaimed timber. A dining area features a built-in table from Tas oak and steel, designed to seat six but adaptable to larger groups. Adjacent to the living area is an indoor garden that nods to Japanese Zen spaces, featuring lemon, olive and avocado trees and Tassie Gold limestone gravel.

Running alongside a hallway is the indoor garden and a walkway to the four bedrooms and a bathroom; the bathroom's showpiece is a deep ceramic tub set at the edge of the garden, with a timber and glass window that can roll back to convert the space into an outdoor bath. A large wood heater sits in the living space, and a separate outdoor bath can be accessed by rolling back the timber and glass. The design also embraces practical details, such as a robust timber-and-steel aesthetic that channels an industrial feel while prioritizing natural light and forest views.

The home sits in a secluded enclave a short walk from a sandy Simpsons Bay shoreline; the property is positioned to offer forest views while being near a popular walking track for hikers, kayakers and birdwatchers. Locals note that mature blue gums frame the outlook and that the site is adjacent to a habitat for endangered swift parrots, a point cited by the listing agent to prospective buyers.

Fall Real Estate agent Jude Viney is handling the listing with offers over $1.25 million. The realtor says buyers are drawn to a combination of a high-end holiday home, a potential short-stay investment, or a full-time residency in a serene Bruny Island setting. The listing also emphasizes that the home uses timber and steel to create an industrial yet warm ambience, with large double-glazed windows maximizing the forest backdrop. Prospective buyers have praised the building's minimalist Japanese Zen character contrasted with salvaged trusses and repurposed hardwood, according to the agent, who spoke to Daily Mail Australia.

The Simpsons Bay property illustrates a growing interest in upcycled architecture that marries sustainability with luxury in Tasmania, offering a different kind of island home that remains in harmony with its surroundings.