Blurring boundaries between living, being and working. The Halo House by hc.A

Description of project by hc.A

The Halo House is a prototypical dwelling for contemporary work practices and the decentralization of the office program. Designed in 2019 and built in the second half of 2020, this split-volume house defines separate spaces for work and living linked by an exterior courtyard. The two distinct spaces of the home separate “work” and “home” to support working from home while preserving living at home.

Following recent housing trends among young professionals towards smaller living spaces and reduced housing budgets, the Halo House maximizes a relatively small interior footprint of 1000 square feet while capturing extensive views of the landscape. The open plan, covered outdoor space and the proximity of interior space to the landscape all work to imbue a sense of spaciousness in the efficient plan.

The house’s opaque living volume blocks views from the street while framing views of the southern swamp and garden. This side of the house prioritizes space for relaxation, preparing food, and private life while an open plan allows for maximum flexibility while keeping the kitchen at the heart of all domestic activity. As a counterpoint, the office volume is wrapped in windows, surrounding its user with the landscape, and connecting them to the motions of life outside of the office, outside of the house.


The Halo House by hc.A. Photograph by N/A.

The two volumes sit under one roof, defining a large covered area that both gives a unified form to the house and shelters the occupant on their commute between home and the office. The courtyard between these two units of the house becomes the third space - the lobby to the office and the foyer to the home; a natural reset, or commute, between work and domestic life.

In addition to the intentional spatial separation between living and working, the design of the Halo House acknowledges the passage of the sun and time to orchestrate the user’s daily rhythm. Carefully positioned windows and skylights within the two volumes are tuned to the passage of sunlight, creating a choreographed dance of light throughout the day. From the gentle glow that accompanies the morning coffee routine to the soft illumination of the workspace during daylight hours, and finally, the subtle reminder as dusk approaches signaling the end of the workday, the passage of the sun, and therefore time, becomes a guide for the user, and an integral part of the home’s design.

In embracing the evolving nature of work and living in contemporary society, the Halo House challenges the traditional office program and embraces contemporary lifestyles. By seamlessly integrating work and home spaces while acknowledging the significance of natural light and time, it challenges traditional architectural paradigms. In prioritizing user experience and well-being, this home responds to the shifting demands of modern work practices and also fosters a harmonious balance between professional endeavors and personal life. Through thoughtful spatial planning and a deep understanding of the user’s needs, the Halo House exemplifies a new standard in residential design, where functionality, comfort, and connectivity to nature and the site converge to create spaces that aim to enrich the lives of its occupants.


The Halo House by hc.A. Photograph by N/A.

The dual programs of the Halo House are articulated through the principal materials of the project. The undulating surfaces of the domestic volume, clad in Galvalume corrugated metal, convey a sense of dynamism and movement through a rigid material. This material’s ability to wrap and construct the contours of the exterior walls creates a facade characterized by the dynamic movement of natural light on the facade.

Across the courtyard, the glass-clad office volume is contained by translucent fabric curtains. Characterized by transparency and permeability to light, the glass and fabric boundary blurs the line between interior and exterior, facilitating seamless integration with the natural surroundings, and connecting the workspace to the context. This volume glows by day with natural light from above and by night with artificial light from within.

Through their tactile and visual qualities, the corrugated metal and fabric curtains - and the dialogue between the two - enhance the spatial narrative of the home. These two distinct material logics act as fraternal twins, each offering a unique sensory experience and spatial identity within the home’s larger composition. By “wrapping” the user of the house in fundamentally different ways, these materials develop spatial differences to separate working and living while holding the house together in a common material and visual language.