Vanishing Act: A Mirrored Bathroom that Blends into the Bush

In Kangaroo Valley, a remarkable bathroom design challenges our expectations of what it means to ‘get away’.

Just 30 metres from a rustic cabin accommodation, a standalone bathroom — dubbed the Kangaroo Valley Outhouse — invites guests to journey down a winding path and into the wild, where a mirrored cube awaits.

GALLERY  

This is no ordinary bush loo. Elevated lightly above the ground, the structure has been designed to disappear into its lush hillside setting. Clad entirely in mirrored glass, the cube reflects the surrounding bushland so completely that during daylight hours, its form is all but invisible, save for the faint outline of its edges. It’s a true feat of engineering, marrying high-performance materials and minimal site impact with a conceptual framework rooted in sustainability and sensory experience.

Inside the outhouse, a bath and shower take centre stage, surrounded by one-way mirrored walls that give the bather uninterrupted views of the natural landscape — while remaining hidden from view. At night, the glass becomes translucent from outside when the interior is lit, creating an intentional play on exposure and vulnerability. It’s a design choice that heightens the visitor’s connection to place and sharpens their awareness of being out of the city’s confines.

The separation of the bathroom from the cabin was intentional: a move to replicate the experience of camping, where amenities are reached on foot. That short journey becomes an integral part of the experience — particularly under a canopy of stars.

Sustainability was a key driver in the design, which uses natural ventilation, solar-powered lighting, and greywater recycling. Lightweight and demountable, the outhouse can be removed with minimal trace, allowing the site to return to its natural state.

Far from a folly, the Kangaroo Valley Outhouse is a quiet provocation — an elegant, functional bathroom that disappears from sight, yet leaves a lasting impression.

Images by Robert Walsh via ArchDaily

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