This corrugated iron retreat in the Southern Highlands is far from your average tin shed. Picture: Tom Ferguson Photography.

The “pill-shaped’’ building contains a reading room which forms part of an existing rural retreat, which is completely off the grid and only accessible by four-wheel drive.

The latest addition was designed by Andrew Benn of Benn + Penna Architecture.

There were two other existing pavilions for sleeping and living already on the site, which were designed by architect Beverley Garlick in 1993.

The new structure in the foreground was designed to blend in with the existing structure on the property. Picture: Tom Ferguson Photography.Source:Supplied

The newer structure is linked to the existing buildings with a path and awning.

Inside are polished concrete floors and a log-burning stove

While corrugated iron has been used for decades Mr Benn said to be able to use it innovatively you had to understand the basics of the materials.

Architect Andrew Benn said corrugated iron was an easy material to work with. Picture: Tom Ferguson Photography.Source:Supplied

“For instance; how does it reflect light? can it bend? and in which direction? what is its weight?’’ he said.

“In terms of achieving a modern clean-lined appearance I think the key is in the detailing. Every junction in the building needs properly thinking about and resolving neatly.’’

Mr Benn said corrugated iron had great potential as a building material if people realised how innovatively it could be used.

“It is light weight, so is easy to deliver to such remote sites. It’s non-combustible so is bush fire safe (and) it has a precision so it can be reliably constructed without needing our close supervision.

Mr Benn said the grey coloured iron selected for the Southern Highlands retreat fitted in well with the greens and browns in the surrounding landscape.

And the bonus was it was relatively inexpensive and could be constructed quickly.

Inside the Southern Highlands retreat. Picture: Tom Ferguson Photography.Source:Supplied

Bookcases line the wall inside the retreat. picture: Tom Ferguson Photography.Source:Supplied

“The clients loved the original buildings and so the brief was to make something complementary, but also something that was clearly identifiable — and therefore able to maintain the architectural integrity of the original buildings while also allowing us the freedom to respond to new challenges.’’

Mr Benn said the corrugated iron was easy to work with. He said the curves were easy to achieve, just as they are when used for water tanks.

Fixtures are minimal inside the retreat, but include a fireplace. Picture: Tom Ferguson Photography.Source:Supplied

The sheets were delivered to site pre-rolled so basically just needed to be clipped onto the frame.

“The building sits at the base of a beautiful sandstone cliff that forms a natural amphitheatre to the site,’’ Mr Benn said.

“The buildings rounded form effectively creates a single looping elevation that responds to the sites incredible views in every direction.

Although it was made of simple materials the structure has a sleek, modern look. Picture: Tom Ferguson Photography.Source:Supplied

The building was short-listed in the 2014 New South Wales Architecture Awards in the Small Projects category.