Halo House realises a highly conceptual design as a practical and robust family home. Drawing inspiration from the Halo Effect, the project takes the form of a faceted, textural “iceberg” from the outside, and a protected yet lofty refuge internally.

Halo House acts as a provider and protector for its inhabitants, granting a young family with a sanctum in which to grow and thrive. With a unique street presence of faceted white textures, articulated recesses and a discrete slip-in entry, the building reads like a geological feature in a landscape, continually evolving with the passing of time, weather and seasons. Upon entry, the home reveals a lofty, open and inclusive arrangement. A central stair void features 2.5 storey woven wire balustrade screens with a ‘halo’ of clerestory windows above.

Staying true to the overarching design concept, a clean, simple and robust materials palette, taking cues from Nordic design, features light timbers, natural concrete, painted recycled brick and raw brass. All materials are locally and ethically sourced, and environmentally sustainable where possible.

The house is carefully designed for passive thermal performance. Incorporating a 5KW PV solar array and a hydronic heat pump hot water system that services both internal heating and pool heating, Halo House operates entirely off a zero emissions, zero fossil fuel services system.