Designed for now and the future, a bespoke holiday home on Tasmania’s Bruny Island is a perfect example of multi-generational living. Here, families can gather, relax and return, year after year.

Perched lightly on the exposed northern tip of this idyllic island, Nebraska was built by Luke de Vries, Managing Director and Owner of Construction with Destiny (CWD). The brief was deceptively simple: a robust, welcoming holiday home capable of accommodating multiple families without feeling oversized or precious.

Building on the island, however, presented obvious logistical challenges. Luke’s collaborative approach and high-end craftsmanship skills ensured the project ran smoothly from start to finish.

‘From the first day on site, we knew this project would be something special,’ says Luke. ‘There was a clear vision from the architect and client, and everyone involved was committed to doing it properly with no shortcuts.’

Founded in 2011, CWD reflects Luke’s lifelong passion for carpentry and building, shaped early on by his grandfather, Cecil Pyle, who passed down enduring lessons about quality and pride in workmanship. That ethos is evident throughout Nebraska, from the precision of the timber detailing to the calm confidence of its execution.

Five bedrooms are arranged across discreet pavilions, allowing extended family groups to holiday together without sacrificing privacy. From the water, the home reads as a refined beach shack – low, calm and unassuming – while two rear pavilions with soaring, undulating ceilings house additional sleeping zones. A light-filled corridor connects the main living spaces to a separate bunkroom pavilion, a favourite escape for the youngsters.

According to Luke, material selection was driven by longevity, ease of maintenance and sustainability. Externally, the home is clad in bushfire-resistant spotted gum, chosen for both durability and its ability to weather naturally in Bruny’s salty, windswept conditions. The spotted gum continues through the decking and window frames, creating continuity between inside and out.

Internally, Tasmanian oak takes centre stage, lining walls and ceilings and forming custom joinery throughout the home. The consistent timber palette brings warmth and cohesion, allowing the architecture and landscape to take the lead.

Certified Tasmanian oak was treated with Cutek oil to protect the timber while allowing it to breathe and age gracefully. ‘Using Tasmanian timber was a non-negotiable for us,’ says Luke. ‘It made sense aesthetically, environmentally and practically. We had no issues sourcing it.’

In the main living space, a wall of off-form concrete panels anchors the home to the site and forms a dramatic backdrop to a classic French cast-iron fireplace. The concrete’s quiet strength is balanced by tactile timber, while oversized sliding doors open the living, kitchen and dining areas directly onto the deck.

Bathrooms introduce subtle moments of character through handmade Moroccan tiles in cool, coastal hues, paired with brushed brass tapware for a restrained sense of luxury. In the kitchen, stainless-steel benchtops reflect the changing light and landscape, reinforcing the home’s connection to its setting. 

Built-in furniture, generous storage and thoughtful detailing ensure the house can easily be swept clean and reset, crucial for a shared holiday home.

Luke worked closely with award-winning architect Lara Maeseele, who created a thoughtful, restrained design while working carefully with Bruny Island’s rugged coastal environment. Angular in composition yet warm in execution, Nebraska offers shelter from the elements. ‘Lara’s creativity and eye for detail made this project what it is,’ says Luke.

After completing the build in 2025, the result is a coastal escape that feels calm, durable and deeply grounded in place. CWD’s complex build was recognised at the 2025 HIA Tasmanian Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards, where Nebraska took out Home of the Year, Custom Built Home and Kitchen of the Year.

‘We’re incredibly honoured,’ says Luke. ‘This award belongs to everyone involved – the client, Lara, our team, and all the trades. The care and craftsmanship that went into this home is something we’re really proud of.’

More than an award-winning house, Nebraska is a generous and intelligent response to family, landscape and longevity. It is a home designed to evolve gracefully, just like the memories it will hold.

Time to shine

Celebrate outstanding workmanship, innovation and leadership. Entries for the 2026 HIA Awards are now open and close in May 2026. Showcase your work, acknowledge your team and take your place among the industry’s best.

Enter now

First published 12 March 2026