Inspired by Gulf Coast raised shotgun houses and versatility of chameleon skin, Shotgun Chameleon emphasizes programmatic flexibility and response to climate. The chameleon-like front screen element provides a myriad of facade possibilities to adapt this design to different urban contexts and to a variety of solar/wind orientations.  

© Paul Hester

Architects: ZDES

Location: Fourth Ward, Houston, TX, USA

Area: 1500.0 ft2

Project Year: 2015

Photographs: Paul Hester

© Paul Hester

From the architect. Inspired by Gulf Coast raised shotgun houses and versatility of chameleon skin, Shotgun Chameleon emphasizes programmatic flexibility and response to climate. The chameleon-like front screen element provides a myriad of facade possibilities to adapt this design to different urban contexts and to a variety of solar/wind orientations.  
© Paul Hester

Possibilities include wood siding painted to blend with the street-scape, billboards where commercial uses are feasible on the ground floor, louvered wood (vertical or horizontal depending on orientation) to allow for breezes while blocking direct sun and providing privacy, solar panel screen to harvest solar energy, or vine covered screens reminiscent of french quarter balconies.

© Paul Hester

The alternating wood slats scr...