Swansong
Inspired by the landscape, Swansong is an owner-designed, off-grid destination in Tasmania’s Bay of Fires.
Words: Hande Renshaw I Photography: Natasha Mulhall
Swansong is an off-grid holiday house designed by Lisa Hatfield and landscape designer, Sam Cox. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
Furniture throughout is designed by Laura McCusker. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
Swansong has two pavilions: one for the kitchen and living space, the second for a bedroom and bathroom space. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
Lisa Hatfield and landscape designer Sam Cox had a strong connection to Tasmania and it’s landscape when they stumbled upon a bush block on the state’s north-east coast.
‘We have always loved hiking in Tasmania and we stumbled across the bush block for sale while relaxing at the Bay of Fires after a hike almost ten years ago – we never set out to purchase land, but it was just one of those moments where you seize the opportunity as it felt right. We finally settled on a design that we conceived of ourselves and then had an opportunity to begin building in 2020,’ says Lisa.
The recently completed Swansong is a small 60 square metre footprint, which spans two pavilions, designed to recreate the feeling of camping, with an open separation between the two living spaces.
The inspiration behind the two pavilions was to further encourage a connection to the outside. ‘We wanted a shelter that retained the feeling of being exposed to the elements in some way – to go from room to room you go outdoors, but it is really like a walk down a hallway.’
Although there are two seperate spaces, the two areas are strongly connected because of the continuity of materials. ‘Dividing and orientating the building this way made the most of the view and the solar collection with such a small footprint. It also created a courtyard space between the buildings, which is visually interesting and provides shelter,’ says Lisa.
Swansong operates off-grid by producing a surplus of solar energy – the focus on environmental sustainability can be found in almost every element of the property.
‘The environment is important to us as landscape designers – our job is to think about it all the time. Our idea was to build “a total living environment” – one that integrates dwelling, landscape and the environment beyond. So it made a lot of sense do the best we could minimise the impact on the planet by going off grid.’
The exterior is made from galvanised steel, robust enough material for a BAL 29 (Bushfire Attack Level) site. The couple chose this finish over zincalume for its capacity to dull off and reflect the environmental conditions it’s exposed to over time.
‘As Sam is a landscape designer, the focus is on bringing bush foliage in close to soften the steel and the hard edges of the building.’
The couple also created a courtyard space between the buildings, which is visually interesting and provides shelter. ‘As the plants grow in this landscaped space it will create a “green room” to give an even greater sense of being immersed in the environment,’ says Lisa.
Bookings are now open for Swansong, which is available for short-term stays 100 days of the year.
The two pavilions open up to the landscape. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
Simple yet beautifully balanced design details at Swansong. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
Pyro Mini wood heater in the living and dining pavilion. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
Materials chosen needed to be simple, low in embodied energy and comply with the BAL29 bushfire rating. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
Swansong has two pavilions: one for the kitchen and living space, the second for a bedroom and bathroom space. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
The bathroom views out to the landscape designed by Lisa Hatfield & Sam Cox. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
Bathroom with a view. Photo: Natasha Mulhall
“We love natural materials, particularly as they form part of the visual field when looking out to the view. We felt it was important to use the similar and complementary tones so that distinction between inside and out was less of a contrast.”
‘We never set out to purchase land, but it was just one of those moments where you seize the opportunity as it felt right.’ Photo: Natasha Mulhall
‘The environment is important to us as landscape designers – our job is to think about it all the time.’ Photo: Natasha Mulhall
‘We wanted a lot of glazing to bring light in, so subtle textures and natural internal materials seemed like the obvious choice as they can absorb and soften rather than reflect the light.’ Photo: Natasha Mulhall
‘It’s about keeping connected to the outside – like when we used to camp on the block before we built. We wanted a shelter that retained the feeling of being exposed to the elements in some way – to go from room to room you go outdoors, but it’s really like a walk down a hallway,’ says Lisa Hatfield. Photo: Natasha Mulhall