Located on a picturesque sloping site on Karta Pintingga - Kangaroo Island, Red Tail Cabin is a restful retreat that sits amongst the Red Tail Cockatoos and eucalypts.
In development…
Nestled within the picturesque landscape of American River on Karta Pintingga - Kangaroo Island, South Australia this architecturally designed single-bedroom cabin offers a refined retreat immersed in nature. Positioned to capture expansive views across the water and surrounding bushland, the cabin is conceived as a quiet, contemplative dwelling that responds sensitively to its remarkable setting. Its modest scale and carefully considered form allow it to sit comfortably within the landscape, providing a sense of seclusion while maintaining a strong connection to the outdoors.
The cabin is thoughtfully sited on a sloping block, using the natural topography to shape both its orientation and spatial experience. Elevated lightly above the ground, the structure minimises disturbance to the terrain and allows native vegetation to flow beneath and around it. This approach not only enhances views and ventilation but also creates a sense of floating among the trees, reinforcing the cabin’s relationship with its environment.
Surrounded by dense native vegetation, the site forms part of the vital habitat of the endangered red-tailed black cockatoo. The design acknowledges this ecological significance through a restrained material palette, low-impact construction methods, and careful placement to preserve existing flora. Large openings are strategically positioned to frame the bushland while reducing interference with wildlife movement, ensuring the cabin coexists harmoniously with its natural surroundings.
Internally, the single-bedroom layout is designed for comfort and simplicity, offering a warm, intimate refuge that encourages slow living. The material palette and generous glazing suites blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, inviting light, views, and the sounds of the landscape into the space. The result is a serene, architecturally crafted cabin that celebrates Kangaroo Island’s unique ecology, providing a deeply immersive experience within one of Australia’s most beautiful coastal environments.