One – Half House

John Hejduk – One – Half House, 1966

The “One-Half House” is an architectural design project created by John Hejduk, an influential architect and architectural theorist known for his experimental work. This architecture is part of a series of works known as “Diamond Projects” (Diamond Projects) created between the 60s and 70s.

The One-Half House is characterized by its distinctive geometric shape, with a diamond shape. This house is composed of a cubic structure with a sloped roof and an interior part removed or “cut” along the diagonal, thus creating the characteristic diamond shape. This innovative design was conceived to challenge traditional architectural conventions and to explore new forms and living spaces.

One of the key elements of this architecture is its emphasis on ambiguity and duality. The house appears to be cut in half, creating a sense of uneasiness and incompleteness, and challenges expectations of living spaces. This ambiguity is a recurring feature in Hejduk's work and reflects his interest in the psychology of space and human experience in architecture.

The One-Half House was created as a conceptual design exercise, and many of John Hejduk's works were only realized as models or drawings, rather than actually built. This approach to architecture influenced a later generation of architects and designers, as it promoted experimentation and conceptual research within architecture.