inside look

8 stunning Houston homes showcase creativity and craftsmanship on AIA tour

The AIA Houston Home Tour is back! The annual tour raises funds that support various AIA Houston initiatives throughout the year. Held this Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19, the self-guided tour features eight magnificent homes throughout the Houston area.

"The AIA Houston Home Tour is an incredible opportunity to showcase the diverse architectural talent within our city," says Shawn Gottschalk, AIA, principal at studioMET Architects and 2025 Home Tour event chair. "I'm really excited about this year's event because it features a remarkable range of homes: an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) tiny house, a sensitively-restored mid-century modern townhouse which served as a model home for the future, to an expansive campus-style home comprised of multiple structures and an array of homes in between. Each project is unique in its style, size, and design, offering something inspiring for every visitor."

Homes were selected based on design excellence, quality craftsmanship, innovative solutions, use of materials, and sustainability. A juried panel comprised of fellow architects, deans of architecture schools, and other experts choose from the hundreds of project submissions every year. To keep things honest, jury members are from out of town, but not too far out of town.

“We are not looking to put on an AIA home tour of only Texas vernacular architecture,” AIA executive director Rusty Bienvenue tells CultureMap. “We want a wide variety of things because this is a very diverse city, and I’m not sure folks from too far away understand what’s going on here.”

Project architects will be on-site both days of the tour to answer questions visitors may have about the homes, or the process of hiring and working with a local architect. One thing the tour hopes to do is dispel the notion that hiring an architect is something that costs a fortune, when in fact, it can be the more cost effective way to go.

“One of the things we are trying to show is that all people in the area are entitled to good design, no matter what their socioeconomic background is,” says Bienvenue. “Hiring an architect does not necessarily make the price go up when you’re building something. In many ways, it will make the price come down, because they’re able to negotiate with suppliers they use all the time and know what to spec or not. When you go into a builder home, those prices are set.”

This year’s event chair is no stranger to the AIA Houston tour. Gottschalk’s studioMET Architects has received an AIA residential design award, an AIA Firm of the Year award, and has had their projects selected for the AIA Houston Home Tour for 16 consecutive years, with two projects featured this year — Wink Residence, designed by Gottschalk himself, and River Bend, designed by Yoonchul You — and he looks forward to being able to share these projects with the greater Houston community.

“More than just an event for architects, the AIA Houston Home Tour celebrates the simple joy of great design,” Gottschalk tells CultureMap. “It’s casual, inspiring, and welcoming to anyone curious about how thoughtful architecture transforms everyday living.”

One home on the tour is quite the standout example of how good design can transform everyday living. Homes on the tour must have been built in the last five years, or have undergone a significant renovation or addition in the last five years. “Style in Steel” is a project with significant history, and the city is lucky that the home was able to be saved from the fate of so many other quirky Houston homes.

Built in 1968 as demonstration homes for the 1969 National Association for Home Builders (NAHB) show at the Houston Astrodome Astrohall, the "Style in Steel" townhouses were a collaborative effort sponsored by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), Houston Lighting & Power Company (HL&P), and General Electric (GE). Their purpose was to showcase the advantages of the use of steel in moderately-priced residential construction, utilizing steel not just in structural elements but also in furniture, equipment, and fittings. The townhouses were designed in the International Style, taking cues from Mies van der Rohe, by renowned architects Talbott Wilson and Hal Weatherford of Wilson, Morris, Crain, & Anderson, the same firm that co-designed the Houston Astrodome. Designated as protected landmarks in 2007 by the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, their fate after over half a century became a pressing question.

The townhouses received a Twenty-Five-Year Award from the AIA Houston Chapter in 1998, and the home was awarded a Preservation Houston Good Brick Award in 2023. It has been featured in Architectural Record, Architectural Digest, Professional Builder, Brides magazine, and more recently in Preservation Magazine (Winter 2025) and Texas Architect (Spring 2025).

Full-Tour tickets may be purchased in advance ($35) until Friday, October 17 at 11:30 pm. Single home tour tickets are available for $10 per home, but are not available for presale. Tickets may also be purchased on-site.

"It’s one thing to pass by and admire these stunning homes from the outside, but an entirely heightened experience to step inside and be captivated by the remarkable thought and talent that went into each design,” says Bienvenue. “We look forward to seeing you on the tour.”

Each architect participating in the tour offered CultureMap personal insights into their respective projects, whether that be something special to keep an eye out for, or the thing they love most about the house. Find these insider insights below. Each link includes sneak peek photos and the home’s address.

The Tour

River Bend
“What I love most is how the design unfolds across the site in a long, single-story plan. From each space, the river is experienced and revealed in a new and surprising way.” - Reynold Scott Magnuson

Wink Residence
“The Hammam is one of my favorite elements of the home because it brings a touch of Moroccan heritage, turning a simple bath into a moment of ritual and tradition. Sharing a commitment to fitness and longevity with the homeowner, it’s rewarding to see the modern home we designed come alive through daily wellness routines — morning laps in the pool, cold plunges, and sauna sessions.” - Shawn Wesley Gottschalk

Style in Steel
“The trellised entry forecourt at the ‘Style in Steel’ Townhouse is the most featured and photographed space of the townhouse. Our goal in restoring the original architect’s intent for the townhouse included the removal of the added roof and glass window coverings to reveal the intended open trellised and light-infused forecourt space. A subtlety we appreciate is the visual engagement from inside the townhouse looking out to the forecourt through the two-story window wall, bringing the volume and light from the forecourt into the house.” – Rodolfo R. Fabre

Gibbs House
“Ironically, my favorite part of the home is the view from the exterior, looking north from the pool along the east-facing side of the house. I love how the long stretch of landscaping leads into the rich ebony wood exterior, connecting naturally with the porch and flowing into the living space. This side of the home is filled with natural light. Large windows brighten the interior, the stairwell glows through its vertical glass panels, and skylights above the bedrooms bring in soft, overhead light. As a corner home, we wanted to create a strong connection to the side yard that faces both streets, making the most of its unique position.” – Brett Zamore

Backyard Bungalow
“The thing I like most about the Backyard Bungalow is how good I feel when I am in the space. The quality of light, the cozy backyard setting, the playful forms all give me the feeling of comfort and possibility.” – Bradly Hirdes

Hunterwood Residence
“I am especially interested with how the design balances openness with intimate, personal spaces, such as the cozy spot tucked between the kitchen and family room. It’s a home designed to evolve with the family, offering flexibility in how each space is used while always feeling grounded, warm, and connected to its natural surroundings.” – Dillon Kyle

Northwood Residence
“The design of this home came from a desire for peace, and it was scheduled for construction during an incredibly uncertain time. Built entirely through remote collaboration at the height of the pandemic, it became a reflection of a strong sense of trust and shared purpose. What makes it truly special for the owners is the sense of calm that fills each room. Carried by the light, the materials and simplicity come together to create a quiet, restorative space for a young family.” – Chase Stanley

Hunters Creek House
“The design is intentionally minimalist, but the craft runs deep. I personally built many of the details, so every reveal and surface carries the mark of handwork and precision that you don’t always see at first glance. What makes this house special to me is how much of it I built myself. It’s minimalist in form, but every inch reflects hours of handwork, detail, and a love of craft that doesn’t shout…it whispers.” — Kam Biazar.

Photo by Leonid Furmansky

Style in Steel, designed by Rodolfo R. Fabre Design + FORMATION.

aia houston home tour home-design

Get a room

Inside the former brothel that's now downtown Houston's hottest new bar

Courtesy of No Vacancy

Put on a No Vacancy robe and enjoy a welcome glass of champagne.

With a name like No Vacancy, it comes as little surprise that this “hotel bar” on Main Street is the hottest new ticket in town. Draped in mystique, the 1970s-inspired bar offers guests pure nostalgia from every which way and is so authentic that it’s difficult to decide who would have enjoyed it more: Hunter S. Thompson or David Lynch.

Ostensibly run by “Dottie,” the mysterious, fantastical patroness of No Vacancy — whose past entertainment history was illuminated by red lights more than limelight — who invites guests to pass through the No Vacancy Pool to check-in at reception before choosing to spend the evening in the Lobby Bar, upstairs in Dottie’s Penthouse, or rent a suite…by the hour, of course.

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, No Vacancy is strictly a bar for flirtatious foreplay, a game night with friends, and certainly for people watching. Dottie won’t stand for any hanky-panky. So, if things get a little too hot to handle, get a room — someplace else.

The building at 410 Main Street, once a notorious Houston brothel in its own right, sets the perfect scene for a bar that displays framed brassieres once belonging to former showgirls and boasts an impressive collection of vintage Playboys. Even the large steel door (c.1877) that used to connect the brothel to the bank next door is still visible while taking the stairs up to Dottie’s Penthouse. And the bathrooms? All converted from what was once a row of shower rooms.

“It’s a downtown, rundown hotel, you know? It used to be nice, I think that’s the important part,” says No Vacancy partner Carson Hager, who also operates ‘80s themed bar Cherry. “Because in Dottie’s mind, it probably still is nice. It’s an actual bar. There are so few actual bars anymore. We just want people to like it. It’s not a dive bar — that’s an actual distinction. It’s a hotel bar. Go to an actual bar and enjoy the details and have a good time and go home.”

As for Hager’s relationship to the elusive Dottie: “When people ask, I tell them that I’m Dottie’s nephew and I run things when she’s not here.”

Courtesy of No Vacancy

Put on a No Vacancy robe and enjoy a welcome glass of champagne.

The commitment to the plot is evident in everything that is No Vacancy. Take, for instance, “Dottie’s Penthouse: The Menu Magazine.” This actual magazine — all 27 pages of it — offers guests a deep dive into Dottie’s personality while listing items of note such as Dottie’s house rules, Dottie’s Penthouse drink menu, fun facts, horoscopes, an advice column, crossword puzzle, raunchy cartoons, and even a fun “Which of Dottie’s Girls are You?” quiz.

“The details of the building are one thing, but the details of the actual storyline behind everything are even more consistent and more thorough,” explains creative director and Dottie’s cosmic proxy Shilo de Armas. “The Penthouse Magazine enforces the actual story — it’s not just saying a story into the wind. Those types of structural things are what I’m most proud of. Truly, if I die today, that is something that I would really want on my grave. Talk about it in my eulogy. I’m the most proud of that than anything I’ve done. It just brings everything together because it has her house rules on page three, and you learn about who Dottie is when you read those house rules.”

All of the hotel phones in No Vacancy are functional and routed through to reception and housekeeping. Guests in the suites may ring for service or choose to utilize the “Do Not Disturb” lights outside of the rooms. Housekeeping is outfitted in proper French maids’ outfits — feather dusters included — and cocktails arrive on carts, naturally.

No Vacancy’s vintage televisions play a curated selection of era-appropriate programming, with custom commercials produced in-house. Think Marvin Zindler and Thunderbolt Transmissions-inspired content. Guests can switch channels, but the network is always No Vacancy Television: “NVTV…always turned on.”

All of the furniture and decor are either vintage or antique, and the decision to go with carpeting throughout helps keep things intimate. Like many 70s-era spaces, patterns go wild at No Vacancy — think animal prints galore, plaids, stripes, and textured solids. Undergarments are tossed about, fabric canopies and draperies fill each room, and fringe adorns just about every other surface.

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The downstairs level offers three different suites that can accommodate groups of four to six people, each with a different theme and speciality cocktail menu. While available by the hour, there is a 15 minute grace period to get settled in before the clock starts. Suites are $64.95-per-hour and include a round of complimentary welcome drinks upon arrival (up to four guests) — tailored to each suite.

Prom After-Party Suite
Up to six guests may join, receiving a welcome bucket of Jell-O shots upon check-in. Dottie’s handmade binder of drinking games is sure to entertain. Suite-specific cocktails include Dottie’s Wine Coolers (bottled, of course) in Passionfruit Pizzazz, Strawberry Fields, and Fuzzy Navel. In addition to the aforementioned Jell-O shots, patrons may order a classic Tiki Trashcan Punch, made in-room to serve four, with “Rum, more rum, Montenegro, tropical fruit punch, and 151 for fun.”

Honeymoon Suite
Up to four guests may join, receiving complimentary Moet champagne to begin the evening. This lover-inspired suite is encased in mirrors to three sides, plush privacy-draperies at the entrance, and includes fluffy red robes to enjoy during the evening. Imbibe suite-specific cocktails — “Save the Date,” “Honeymoon in Vegas,” and “Pillow Talk” — while cozied up in the round love seat.

Side Piece Suite
Up to six guests may join, receiving complimentary “Penicillin shots” to begin the evening. The decor takes guests for a walk on the wild side, with animal print upholstery and jungle-themed artwork. Suite-specific cocktails include the “Post Nut Clarity,” Campañera, and the suite’s signature drink “Strawberry Letter,” which serves four and is served in a high heel carafe.

Lobby Bar
Just past reception and the Side Piece Suite, the Lobby Bar offers guests a comfy barstool or a place in the No Vacancy semi-private rooms. With high-top tables for two, each semi-private room can be closed with curtains for privacy or left open for mingling — the semi-private rooms can also be combined to accommodate small groups. Classics include “Dottie Does Downtown” and the “Centerfold Sour.”

No Vacancy Pool
Rounding out the offerings on the first floor is the “pool.” Part of the exterior entrance area, the pool area offers those who wish to wait a menu of their own. The “Corn Star Margaritas,” “Desert Rose,” and “Poolside Sour,” are sure to help the time pass quickly. Dottie’s Wine Coolers are also available poolside.

Dottie’s Penthouse
Upstairs, guests are welcome to lounge in Dottie’s penthouse apartment, so long as they behave. The penthouse is comprised of a dining room, kitchen (i.e., bar), living room, bedroom, balcony, and office. The low lighting — mostly thanks to Dottie’s lava lamp collection, 18 total on the living room wall — throughout the spaces vibe perfectly with the jazz music. Distinct zones are perfect for couples and small groups who want to sit and chat.

In the office, Dottie’s desk tells stories of its own, original building plans sit beneath a protective plexiglass, her counting machine, phone, Rolodex, and security camera screens all wrapped around the trappings of a seemingly ordinary business…take a closer look.

Dottie’s Kitchen serves cocktails named after her “girls,” and all that that implies. The mezcal-forward menu does offer a vast variety of cocktails, but Dottie highly encourages guests to try something smoky. If that’s not in the cards, reach for a classic Peach Pimm’s Highball or Watermelon Ranch Water.

As vintage fans continue to flock to No Vacancy, it’s worth noting that the bar only offers limited reservations for groups of eight or more in the Penthouse — but only until 7 pm on weekends. After that, it's first-come-first-served. Booking is available via text or through a quick DM to the No Vacancy Instagram account. It’s also a good idea to get on the waitlist if planning a last minute visit.

“Dottie is nutty about having a home,” says Hager. “There is no such thing as just hanging around. If you don’t have a seat, you’re not getting in.”

For those who choose to dress the part, or for those who just like to watch, No Vacancy has a strict no flash photography policy — and they mean it. No Meta glasses, ring lights, or cameras allowed either. No Vacancy is about as old-fashioned as they come.

“The people who needed something like this, and have been wanting something like this in Houston in particular, that’s who it’s for,” says de Armas. “We want it to be for the people who get it. If people don’t get it, they don’t get it. That’s fine — bye!”

No Vacancy is open 5 pm-2 am “every damn day.” Send Dottie a reservation or waitlist request at 713-597-7616 or DM her on Instagram.

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