New American House

The New American House inverts the form of the typical freestanding residence, creating a livable oasis in otherwise undesirable areas or lots, such as industrial warehouse zones, abandoned retail sites, parcels next to highways, alley lots, and other seemingly unappealing places to live. The plan roughly follows a traditional Roman house model but features a large central courtyard as well as smaller courtyards that allow for privacy at each bedroom. The exterior is a blank—corrugated steel walls and steel doors that fade into the background, while a graphics panel at the front of the house provides a space for personalization. The privacy and small footprint of the home allow for immense versatility in location, including as part of growing urban infill trends. Stay tuned, Scott Specht is currently designing and building the first New American House in Austin, Texas.