Budget Breakdown: This $645K Austin Home Has No Use for Exterior Windows
Architect Scott Specht devised an 1,100-square-foot residence with views of interior courtyards instead of ones of an adjacent public walkway.
Architect Scott Specht devised an 1,100-square-foot residence with views of interior courtyards instead of ones of an adjacent public walkway.
A house with no windows, at first mention, sounds less than ideal. However, for Scott Specht, cofounder of Specht Novak Architects, the idea held weight as a way to mitigate problems of density, privacy, and adaptability for an exposed lot in Austin, Texas, he purchased in 2019. The parcel, located in the South Congress neighborhood, is on an alley, and being within walking distance of popular restaurants and shops, gets its share of foot traffic.
Scott Specht of Specht Novak Architects designed a 1,100-square-foot home in Austin for himself and his wife, Shiraz Bakshai. The house features two bedrooms, two bathroom, and, notably, no exterior-facing windows.
Photo by Leonid Furmansky
Dubbed the Stealth House for its windowless perimeter, the project began as an exploration of designing comfortable, private living spaces in dense urban areas.
Photo by Leonid Furmansky
To create a residence there for himself and his wife, Shiraz Bakshai, that’s shielded from the trickle of passersby, he gave it a distinctly cagey exterior that borrows from historic courtyard homes: not a single window faces outward. "There is always a vision of sitting on the front porch and waving to the neighbors walking by. It sounds nice, but in places like Austin it doesn’t happen much," says Scott.
The couple spent $27,250 on windows, including the floor-to-ceiling glass that frames the courtyard.
Photo by Leonid Furmansky
See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: This $645K Austin Home Has No Use for Exterior Windows
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