The Stealth House reimagines the urban ADU with a fully windowless perimeter clad in Cor-Ten steel, offering security and refuge in dense neighborhoods. Landscaped courtyards and floor-to-ceiling glass flood the interior with natural light, creating serene, functional living spaces on previously overlooked sites. The home was designed by Specht Novak, and is the primary home of the architect himself, Scott Specht.
Project Name: Stealth House
Studio Name: Specht Novak
Designed by Specht Novak, The Stealth House is a compact accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that reimagines urban living. Built on a previously underutilized backyard lot in a dense neighborhood, the project addresses urban challenges like densification, privacy, and adaptability while serving as a test bed for experimental design ideas. Combining personal design decisions with practical, cost-effective strategies, the Stealth House offers a vision for resilient, adaptable housing.
The program required a functional, comfortable residence capped at 1,100 square feet, the maximum allowable under local ADU zoning regulations. Situated on a 70’ x 50’ lot along a pedestrian alley behind a busy commercial corridor, the site previously housed a dilapidated garage with little vegetation. The project transformed this overlooked parcel into a private and livable retreat that prioritizes comfort in an urban context.
Designed as a “forever home,” the Stealth House reflects the architect’s commitment to exploring innovative approaches to housing. Building for oneself allowed for unique design choices that challenge conventional expectations of market appeal. The project prioritized individual needs and architectural experimentation over traditional resale considerations, demonstrating how design can meet specific needs while enhancing quality of life.
The house reimagines privacy by rejecting typical suburban design features. In place of perimeter windows or fences, the Stealth House features a windowless exterior clad in corrugated Cor-Ten steel. This approach ensures visual and acoustic privacy while establishing clear boundaries between public and private spaces. It also eliminates the need for added elements like blinds, site walls, or fences, creating a more open frontage along the alley.
Inside, the design focuses on inward-facing courtyards that bring natural light and greenery into every room. These courtyards, visible through floor-to-ceiling glazing, create a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces while maintaining privacy. The main courtyard, centered around an olive tree, provides shade, reduces solar gain, and contributes to a tranquil atmosphere. This design draws inspiration from ancient Roman courtyard typologies, updated to suit contemporary living and privacy needs.
Strategic material choices helped achieve a high-quality design within a modest budget. Frameless insulated glass units, sourced in standard sizes, reduced costs while maintaining thermal performance and visual appeal. Corrugated Cor-Ten steel avoided oil-canning issues and provided a durable, textural facade. Custom interior elements, like glass tile accents and locally crafted pieces, were selectively used in high-impact areas to maximize design value without exceeding budget constraints.
Despite its compact size, the house balances efficiency and comfort. Bedrooms are compact but functional, while fully glazed showers and living areas emphasize openness and connection to the courtyards. Mirrors are placed strategically to expand the perception of space, enhancing the sense of openness within the compact footprint.
The Stealth House has been well received by visitors and neighbors, who have praised its peaceful, “zen-like” ambiance and innovative living spaces. By blending creative solutions with practical considerations, the house offers a model for small-scale residential design, redefining what urban housing can be.
While the Stealth House is highly personal, its ideas could have larger implications for urban housing. Its compact footprint, acoustical and visual separation, and energy independence make it a model for accessory dwelling units, infill housing, and even “unbuildable” sites near highways and industrial zones.
“It’s a prototype, t shows how you can live well in a small space, even in a dense area, without sacrificing privacy or sustainability,” says Scott Specht, Specht Novak. “More than anything, though, the house is an answer to the evolving way we live now— in an environment of increasing social unease where the comfort of security, peace, and control over one’s environment are more valuable than an unobstructed view of the street.”
