Two Halves House
Victoria, Australia
The Two Halves House by Moloney Architects is a family home that balances private living spaces with welcoming social areas. Situated in the picturesque bushland of the Daylesford Region in rural Victoria, the house’s name reflects its split monolithic architectural form.
The design is characterized by two pavilions that, while appearing to stand independently, are interconnected. The goal was to create a space that provides privacy and seclusion from the outside world while remaining open and inviting to visitors. This approach allows for the separation of the ‘public’ open-plan living area from the more private sleeping and bathing quarters.
The two pavilions serve distinct functions, with the main living spaces strategically positioned to maximize views and natural light. The kitchen forms the heart of the open living zone, connected to a communal conversation space designed to encourage interaction while still being close to the kitchen. This space extends the casual social aspect of sitting at the kitchen island, allowing for engaging conversations with ease.
A low-set bench seat runs around the room, further fostering connection between the kitchen, living, and dining areas, and providing numerous opportunities for intimate conversations and relaxed seating.
The adjacent pavilion houses the more private areas, including the bedrooms and bathrooms. These spaces are minimal yet intimate, offering quiet solitude. While the public zones are open and outward-facing, the private areas are compartmentalized to provide a sense of seclusion.
The interiors are unified by the use of birch-faced plywood, which gives a warm, tactile quality to the space and reinforces the monolithic form of the angled ceilings.
