Half Light House is a deceptively simple but spatially layered renovation of an existing cottage on a ridge in the hills of Clayfield, Brisbane. The design retains the existing front rooms while creating a new central court housing a pool as the locus of a U-shaped sequence of living spaces. The key move is in the resolution of the central court’s cross section: recognising that the pool only requires limited headroom above for swimming unlocks a remarkably compact and striking spatial solution. This allows a generous deck to be positioned above the pool, providing a beautifully proportioned outdoor room while opening up views to the rear yard from deep within the interior of the house.
Half Light House also represents an inventive rethink of how to manage the challenges of late afternoon sun. While simultaneously providing control of sun through louvres, the spatial arrangement of the U-shaped living spaces allows filtered light deep into the interior spaces of the house, animated by the low trajectory and warm hues of afternoon sunlight.
Half Light House provides a stunning reminder of how a clear and innovative strategy can create a beautiful, atmospheric sequence of spaces and experiences within a compact and cost-effective approach that retains and re-uses much of the existing house.
Image: John Ellway
Image: John Ellway
Meet the owners of Half Light House here .
The Award for House Alteration and Addition over 200 square metres is supported by Weathertex . See full image galleries of all the winning and shortlisted projects here .
Hislop Hill House by Clare Cousins Architects
