Compass Hut: Light footprint, hefty impact
Perched on the side of a quiet valley in Tasmania’s north is a hidden gem. Weave your way 10 minutes inland from Devonport – think picturesque countryside interspersed with pockets of glorious native bushland – and you’ll feel yourself unwinding by the kilometre. The eagles soaring overhead love it here too. Riding the currents that push inward from Bass Strait gives them a vantage point like no other.
Looking for direction? Check in with Compass Hut.
This perfect escape for two stands apart so many levels. Resting within 80 acres of working organic farmland is a tiny house escape carefully underpinned by bespoke functionality, genuine sustainability and a treasured family legacy. It’s totally off-grid and gobsmackingly unique. Perhaps most intriguing of all is that it’s the work of two twenty-something young women pushing the boundaries of ethical design.
Independence and intelligence define the Bell sisters. This thoughtful and softly spoken duo are quietly charting a new course in the local tourism industry, treading ever so gently on the land. Tamika and Kylie’s passion for the tiny house movement is palpable and nothing short of infectious. If you’re lucky enough to catch them together and be wrapped in the joy of their incessant chatter, you’ll quickly lose your heart to the tiny house movement and everything that defines it.
“Like typical siblings growing up, we didn’t always get on,” starts Tamika, shooting her elder sister a cheeky grin. “But as we have grown older, things have changed. There’s been a lot of stories running parallel that have got us to the point where we are now. It definitely hasn’t been a simple journey, but it’s one I’m glad we’ve done together. Neither of us would have taken this on alone and both of us would feel lost on this journey without the other. Throughout the whole process our relationship has flourished. I’m so pleased that it’s brought us close.”
Compass Hut isn’t just run by these two balls of energy. It was designed and project managed by Kylie and Tamika too. From the very values that sit behind the brand, through to every concept and plan, everything here has been painstakingly considered and constructed by these two. “A lot of people don’t believe that we’ve done this all ourselves,” explains Tamika. “They find it hard to fathom that two young women can create something like this. At the end of day it’s been a melting pot of factors that have gone into this… being raised to get our hands dirty, our interests in living sustainably, a passion for art and design, our drive for independence and a desire to make sure we have a stable future.”
Kylie is quick to agree, “Our parents moved here in the early 90s from Kangaroo Island. There’s a lot of farming history on both sides of the family, including Dad running a 4000-acre sheep property on King Island prior to moving to Tassie too. It’s in his blood. We grew up working here on the farm… it’s a real way of life… but things were perhaps a little trickier for us as Mum was very sick throughout our childhood. Naturally we picked up the slack on the farm to help Dad out wherever we could. The whole experience was something that shaped us in many ways, including a real desire to be independent.”
“One of the drivers for us in creating this place is to ensure we can always look after each other,” says Tamika. This farm is really special to us. Not only does it put a roof over our heads, but it lets us live simply, and importantly, together. We both love the concept of one property supporting an extended family and the impact on the earth remaining as light as possible.”
“Whatever happens in our lives, even if we never have anything else, we have this place to crawl into. A safe haven, a home, a place to raise children and always a bed for a friend. This farm is our refuge from the world.”
An interest in tiny houses, coupled with Kylie’s degree in architecture, sparked an early foray into the commercial building world back in 2017. “We initially launched a business by the name of Wagonhaus,” explains Kylie. “We found ourselves designing and building tiny houses and there was plenty of interest. There is certainly growing demand for eco and sustainable housing across Australia, and it’s exactly what we’ve achieved here on the farm.”
Picking up the story, Tamika adds, “In the background, we’d been keen on the idea of running a B&B for a while and had been hunting for a suitable property for a couple of years. An investment in property together was appealing in terms of the financial security it represented. We’d looked at everything but couldn’t quite find the right thing. It then hit us that it was right under our noses – we had the farm. We could contribute to the fabric of our local region whilst fusing together all our passions – design, art, sustainability, minimalism – with this beautiful parcel of organic land.”
And so Compass Hut was born.
The first of the accommodation options established on the property was the delightful Barnhaus. At a compact 4.8 metres long and 2.4 metres wide, she is the epitome of tiny accommodation. Barnhaus is positioned keeping quiet watch over the valley below. Eased into the hillside and cleverly surrounded with a glass-framed deck, she’s adorned with all the requirements for smart, off-grid living. Solar panels, a composting toilet and a moonlit shower. Oozing luxe Scandinavian barn style, she’s the perfect mix of considered detail and clever functionality. Think timber cladding perfectly offset with dark pressed metal.
“We really wanted this to be a place where people could come and relax,” explains Kylie. “Time spent here is partly about wellness too – the opportunity to switch off and just enjoy the surrounds, all whilst knowing your impact on the environment is really light. Lots of guests come as they are interested in the tiny house movement, and that’s great too. A night or two here is the perfect taster if you’re wondering if this is right for you.”
The stunning Arc Pavilion was completed in 2021. Whilst upping the size to 7 metres in length, this architectural beauty remains true to the tiny house philosophy and has been constructed on wheels. “We have a desire for each of the tiny homes to be different and they are each a labour of love,” nods Kylie. “We’ve worked tirelessly on Arc Pavilion and think we’ve bought to life something really special. She’s so named as the term arc represents our journey and a whole lot of original ideas we’ve been sitting on for years. They’ve all been incorporated in this design.”
Inspired by The Barcelona Pavilion by Miles van der Rohe in Spain, Arc Pavilion is a joy for the senses – symmetrical but irregular, considered but eclectic, welcoming but individualistic. The roofline takes its cue from the ripple effect created by a pebble being tossed into the ocean and the undulating landscape of the surrounding North-West. The connection to nature doesn’t stop there. The ribbed ceiling is reminiscent of a canopy of tree trunks. “I’d describe it as having characteristics and movement of organic timber architecture and elements of parametric design,” explains Kylie. “We wanted it to be a piece of art in the landscape, and for our guests themselves to be a part of that. When people are inside it, they become part of that work and are framed by the space as they move through it.”
Kylie and Tamika are the first to admit that Arc Pavilion is a fusion of styles. “We’re not ones to conform to a set style,” says Tamika. “We love the results that come from mixing things up and adjusting things as we go. The whole design and building process is like that. Whilst the shower bay is inspired by a display case you’d find in an art gallery, some of the internal panelling is reminiscent of Viking designs that we love and wanted to incorporate.” Eclectic vibes reign.
“Mum was an artist, so it’s in the family,” reveals Tamika. “She painted quiet a lot and loved gardening too. We know that if she was still here, she’d be right alongside us helping out… she would have loved creating this. Everything we are doing here somehow keeps her alive.” She pauses before continuing, “This farm has become our canvas as well as our home. It’s all our creative ideas rolled into one. An experiment that we’ve now opened up for others to enjoy.”
Kylie describes how a penchant for phenomenology also influences her approach. “It’s all about architecture for the senses… I’m really interested in how we experience things and the meaning behind them. What we’ve also tried to create here is a blurring between the landscape and the inside and a place that’s easy on the soul and the environment.”
Tiny homes challenge our values and encourage simplicity. With no room for excess, one is forced to pare back belongings and celebrate what’s truly important. “Functionality and storage are obviously highlighted in tiny homes,” nods Kylie. “We also wanted to incorporate artwork into the accommodation and for this to become part of the design and experience. Making decisions about artworks is equally challenging. The careful curation of a space really makes you consider what’s central to your values. Things are still evolving here and we’re enjoying that ongoing process too.”
The Compass Hut vibe is reflective of Kylie and Tamika’s personal journeys. The interior of Arc Pavilion revels in considered spaces that merge a fresh, young spirit with a mature approach to living. A step inside is akin to a welcoming hug – you’ll be cocooned in the sweet scent of pine, the warmth emanating from passive solar design and the sudden realisation that bigger doesn’t equate to better. It’s all the necessities done amazingly well.
A bespoke kitchen adjoins the light filled sitting room – complete with woodfire, rich textiles and armchairs to melt your soul into. Luxuries are not lost in Arc Pavilion. This stylish dame can mix it with the best in terms of raw linens, wine fridges and the unparalleled warmth of a contemporary wood fire. With local whiskies and gin on the shelf, a weekend away doesn’t get much better.
With further on the horizon for Kylie and the completion of her nursing degree looming for Tamika, one might think these two have enough on their plates. “We’ve got the third tiny house here on the farm now completed,” says Kylie. “Colonial Blue is different again – a little wagon that we built quite a few years ago and have since renovated for guests. It’s a different style altogether and sits within a cottage style garden and right alongside one of Dad’s fields of potatoes. It’s fast becoming become a favourite for both of us.”
Guests drawn to Compass Hut are just as varied as the property itself. “We’ve found we’re primarily attracting young professionals who really appreciate the eco side of what we’re about, as well as older couples keen to experience what tiny houses might offer – or simply escape from the kids for a night or two. At the end of the day we just hope coming here is like a welcoming hug. One that leaves a very minimal footprint on the environment and that leaves you feeling connected and refreshed. Come and share in this special place that’s helped us find our own direction.”
Explore more via the Compass Hut website, Facebook and Instagram.