HALF HAUS

This home is shared by a designer husband, a translator wife, and their child, combining living and working in one place. When the two are closely intertwined, the way distance is shaped becomes crucial. With the residence at the front and the workspace at the rear, a garden was introduced at the center, creating a gentle buffer between life and work. Facing this garden, the dining area quietly connects the two.

From the street-facing guest room, the space flows into the living room, then through the dining to the courtyard. The dining connects these areas while keeping the guest room independent and circulation natural. For visiting family, the shower and toilet are placed near the courtyard and dining. The staircase to the private second floor—master bedroom, children’s rooms, and bathroom—is easily accessible from the dining at the heart of the home.

The rear workspace is accessed from a bright courtyard corridor, then through a darker hallway. Inside, a bright room opens to gardens on both sides, creating a subtle psychological shift. The open-plan space is gently divided into the husband’s studio and the wife’s office, with matching partitions softly separating the desks. When working from home, their young child plays nearby, adding the quiet presence of daily life.

The earthen floor and walls are finished in mortar; the ceiling is exposed structural plywood. Doors are flush cypress panels, and the kitchen and tiles are off-the-shelf—modest but functional. Connecting the townhouse-inspired residence and workspace, these simple finishes highlight both buildings. A hanging cupboard from the original house and a cracked, imperfect glass pane add character and a sense of age to the space.

Originally formed by two connected buildings, the house stretches about 28 meters. Light and wind are guided through a garden created by partial reduction. The garden acts as a buffer between residence and workspace, shaping a subtle sense of distance. The second-floor balcony facing the courtyard functions comfortably. Opening the wooden glass-panel doors transforms the interior into a semi-outdoor space.

In the master bedroom, walls are clad with reclaimed second-floor boards. Lighter patches mark areas shielded by beams and unweathered by time. The entrance shoe cabinet reuses two original doors; the other two were made from the same boards. Boards of varying sizes were carefully finished, letting the aged patina—impossible with new materials—bring character to the home.