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Shotgun Chameleon House

Architect: Zui Ng/ZDES

Houston, Texas, United States

© Paul Hester

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Shotgun Chameleon is inspired both by raised shotgun houses of the U.S. Gulf Coast houses and the versatility of chameleon skin. The design responds to local climate through a front screen that provides a myriad of façade possibilities that can respond to different urban contexts and to a variety of solar and wind exposures. It also emphasizes flexibility and adaptability of interior spaces. Closing the internal stair, this three-bedroom and two-bathroom single-family home can be turned into a duplex for rental, or accommodate a multigenerational family arrangement.

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Site plan

1. 

Stormwater line 

2. 

Water line 

3. 

Connect to water line 

4. 

Connect to wastewater line 

5. 

Connect to telephone/power pole 

6. 

Power pole 

7. 

5’-wide sidewalk 

8. 

8.5’ x 19’ parking 

9. 

Setback line 

10. 

Property line 
 

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The angle of the roof was carefully calculated to allow lower winter sunlight to enter the interior spaces, while higher summer sunlight is kept outside.

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East elevation

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Ground-floor plan

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Second-floor plan

A. 

Porch 

B. 

Storage 

C. 

Bedroom 

D. 

Study 

E. 

Closet 

F. 

Restroom 

G. 

Balcony 

H. 

Living 

I. 

Dining area 

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North-South section

A. 

Porch 

B. 

Bedroom 

C. 

Study 

D. 

Kitchen 

E. 

Balcony 

F. 

Living 
 

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This 1,500-square-foot house was designed with cross ventilation in mind. The summer breeze is channeled through the south-facing balcony and porch to passively ventilate the house.

 

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Vertical circulation was planned so that a tenant on the upper floor could use the external staircase, or to connect the two floors in a live-work situation—office space on the ground floor, housing above. This encourages a more sustainable form of home ownership.

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The wood-slat screens on the sides of the building afford privacy for both the residents and the neighbors, while permitting sunlight and wind to move through the house.

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Outdoor extensions of interior spaces add flexibility to a home. Protection from the elements (whether permanent or temporary) optimizes their usability.

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The design of the house also aims at revisiting and celebrating the idea of balcony and porch living, which is rooted heavily in the vernacular of the Freedmen’s Town neighborhood. Opening the sliding-glass doors to the balcony and porch extends the usable space.

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South-balcony screen section

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South-wall section

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North-wall section

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COLUMN-TO-GROUND DETAIL

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WALL-TO-GROUND DETAIL

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SCREEN-WALL DETAIL

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CEDAR-WALL DETAIL

Construction details

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Wood-screen detail

A. 

Balcony 

B. 

Storage 

1. 

Standing seam-metal roof 

2. 

Vapor barrier underlayment 

3. 

I-beam 

4. 

¾" plywood decking stamped “CDX-YP” with exterior glue 

5. 

2" x 8" #2 yellow-pinewood roof joists at 16" on center 

6. 

1" x 4" treated wood siding with 1.5" gap between planks 

7. 

8" C girt 

8. 

Corrugated perforated metal 

9. 

5" x ¾" treated T&G deck 

10. 

2" x 8" treated yellow-pinewood floor joists at 16" on center 

11. 

Sealed concrete floor. Floor at 1/8" : 12" slope 

12. 

Concrete pear foundation 

13. 

2" x 6" header 

14. 

½" birch-plywood ceiling panel 

15. 

R-30 BATT insulation, continuous 

16. 

Roof truss at 16" on center 

17. 

Aluminum window “F” 

18. 

Aluminum to match mullions 

19. 

2" x 10" header 

20. 

Aluminum sliding-glass door “F” 

21. 

¾" birch-plywood floor 

22. 

1’-8"-deep pre-engineered floor truss 

23. 

R-13 BATT insulation continuous 

24. 

Double top plate 

25. 

2" x 6" #2 yellow-pinewood studs at 16" on center 

26. 

Aluminum sliding-glass door “A” 

27. 

Floor at 1/8" : 12" slope 

28. 

3" roof drip edge 

29. 

1’-6"-deep pre-engineered wood truss 

30. 

2" x 12" header 

31. 

Corrugated-aluminum wall 

32. 

Insulated aluminum glass window 

33. 

Waterproof membrane 

34. 

½" OSB sheathing 

35. 

½" OSB sheathing treated at wall below 48" 

36. 

Insulated aluminum glass window 

37. 

Drip edge 

38. 

Aluminum roof trim 

39. 

Treated wood soffit 

40. 

2" x 6" treated pinewood studs 

41. 

1" x 4" treated pinewood slat alternate pattern 

42. 

2" x 4" treated pine deck 

A privacy fence is one of the most common design solutions to block a view. It can also double as a screen for sun protection. Regardless of the purpose, the fence or screen of Shotgun Chameleon House is an integral element of the building’s design.

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Optimizing the functional relationship between program and space, providing such spaces with flexible use, and minimizing circulation areas all contribute to most efficient possible use of space and materials.

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The choice of renewable wood material, high-efficiency mechanical equipment (such as mini split AC units and a tankless water heater), dual-flush toilet, LED lighting, foam insulation, and low-e insulated windows drastically reduces energy consumption.

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A double-height window in the living room frames an ever-evolving urban view to the south, while taking in abundant filtered light.

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A large opening in the bedroom frames the views of the garden to the north. The placement of the room at the rear of the house responds to the need for privacy. At the same time, it leaves the southern end of the house to the living spaces, which benefit from a sunnier exposure.