Scott Specht - Specht Novak Architects

In this episode of "Designed" by Architectural Record, host Aaron Prenz interviews Scott Specht of Specht Novak about the Stealth House, an 1,100 square foot alley house with limited exterior penetrations. They discuss Specht's design philosophy, which prioritizes the client's needs and the context of the site over a rigid adherence to a particular style, and how his firm avoids the generic modern aesthetic by focusing on materiality, detailing, and simple expression of a large conceptual idea. Specht shares insights into designing for smaller spaces, the importance of programming, and his experiences building the Stealth House as an experiment in urban living, including the challenges and rewards of creating a private, light-filled space in a dense urban environment. He also reflects on his career, offering advice to young architects and discussing his future aspirations for more experimental and unusual projects.