2H = Two Halsteads

Originally from New York, Chris Halstead came to The University of Virginia upon graduation from the Choate School in 1968. After graduating from UVa in 1972, he learned carpentry in New York and Charlottesville, making Free Union his home in 1973.

 In 1975, Chris co-founded Shelter Associates, a fine local design-build construction company.  With his partner Bruce Gordon, Chris helped lead the local movement toward homes incorporating natural materials, hand worked craftsmanship, and energy efficiency. For twelve years, they designed and built handmade homes in Albemarle County. 

In 1986, Id, Inc. was formed. Trading as idesign, Chris continued to design residences, and also branched off into the design of commercial buildings, with particular focus on newspaper publishing plants. For five years, he designed and managed the construction of publishing plants across the country. Since 1991, Chris has designed new homes, renovations and additions in the Charlottesville area.    

In 2013, Chris and his son Isaac founded 2H Builders, a design-build company which designs and manages new residential construction as well as renovations and additions. 

Chris is married and has two sons. He and his wife, artist Lee Christmas Halstead live in downtown Charlottesville.

Isaac Halstead was born and raised in Charlottesville where he attended The Tandem Friends School, graduating in 2003. He attended Mary Washington University and graduated in 2007. Upon graduating, he and three friends bicycled across country from Seattle to Fredericksburg, via Vancouver, Canada.

From 2002 to 2008, Isaac worked on several construction projects with Chris where he learned carpentry and cabinet work as well as accounting and project management. His carpentry experience included creating interior trim and paneling from rough-sawn lumber the Owner cut on his own property. The great looking sassafras interior remains a source of great pride for both Isaac and the client.

From 2008 to 2010, Isaac worked as a Project Coordiniator for The University of Virginia Medical Center where he managed scheduling and contractor procurement for the hospital expansion and the Emily Couric Cancer Center.

From 2010 to 2013, he worked for DPR, a national construction management firm, as a Field Office Coordinator, again working on UVa Medical Center projects.

Isaac is a LEED Accredited Professional. Leed certification is the national arbiter of sustainability standards in the construction industry. and when considered in light of Chris' forty years of designing energy efficient homes makes 2H Builders a leader in sustainable construction in the Charlottesville area.   

Isaac and his wife, Anne Tor Halstead live in Earlysville with their three daughters.