A Deep Immersion – Halcyon by Jolson

Conscious of balancing key attributes of landscape, orientation and experience, Stephen Jolson of Jolson optimises the itinerant lakeside location of his houseboat, Halcyon. The home thoughtfully interprets its unique context to create a home that offers not just a refuge but an experience – one that allows a deep connection to the elements.

Halcyon denotes an idyllic time from the past that was peaceful and happy and is the name that Stephen has given his floating home. Stephen’s inspiration came from his time spent on his grandparent’s houseboat on the same lake as a child, and whilst the new home has come a long way since the primitive houseboat perched on the pristine lakeside location in the 1960s, it still relies on the enduring pull of the largely unchanged, rugged Australian landscape where it resides.

The home takes advantage of its mooring by welcoming the textures of the landscape inside the boat, recounting a strong connection between the water and the landscape with the interior.

Halcyon is a graceful expression of Jolson’s combined interior and architectural expertise. Its design seamlessly integrates with elements of the landscape to maximise its unique context. Living on the water means changing orientations, and outlooks are to be celebrated. As such, an open plan ground floor with limited joinery, furniture and walls allows many outlooks, with a full-height wall serving as a division that enables the lounge and outdoor dining area to connect seamlessly. The first floor also houses two master bedrooms and two other guest bedrooms that share an ensuite. In the middle of the houseboat is a staircase that extends to the open rooftop, which houses a woodfired hot tub.

The home takes advantage of its mooring by welcoming the textures of the landscape inside, recounting a strong connection between the water and the landscape with the interior. Floor-to-ceiling windows, an open floor plan with minimal partitions and large, functional outdoor spaces were all incorporated to maximise the indoor-outdoor connection. In addition, the way natural light passes through the home in such abundance was key in influencing the layout of the bedrooms and the interior palette.

While the fully insulated fibreglass exterior of the boat is strong and sleek, it is juxtaposed by a calm and soft interior that echoes the alluring contrast of the serene yet rugged Australian coastal landscape.

Materiality is another way that textures of the landscape become part of the home. Whilst the fully insulated fibreglass exterior of the boat is strong and sleek, it is juxtaposed by a calm and soft interior that echoes the alluring contrast of the serene yet rugged Australian coastal landscape. A sense of calm is derived from a limited palette of materials – with the objective being to not overcrowd, but to connect to the landscape as much as possible – featuring a combination of saw-cut oak floorboards, polished plaster walls, plasterboard and timber. Furnishings are minimalist and contemporary, with tones kept neutral and raw.

Halcyon offers not just a home, but an experience in itself – whether it be watching the day change from morning to night as the tide comes in, glimpsing the reflection of the moon upon the water or simply listening to the sounds of nature when the boat is still. By drawing on a unique personal history, Jolson creates a remarkable home that encourages connection to the land and the people around you – a moving shelter where you are one with the elements.