Pura Vida Is a Modern Floating Home on Seattle's Portage Bay


Seattle’s Portage Bay has a brand new architectural landmark – a floating residence designed by Hoshide Wanzer Architects, and constructed by Dyna Builders. Rooted within the Costa Rican idea of pura vida, the appropriately named Pura Vida Floating Dwelling celebrates simplicity, stability, and a deep connection to nature whereas embracing the distinctive challenges of life on the water.

Changing a decades-old houseboat that after occupied the canal slip, the venture started with a brand new strengthened concrete float – a basis that gives long-term stability and trendy utility entry for plumbing and electrical programs. The house itself was in-built Dyna’s Ballard shipyard and thoroughly towed into place, a reminder of the precision required for floating structure in Seattle’s waterways.

Modern floating house with large glass windows, rooftop seating area, and interior lights on, situated on a body of water with trees and buildings in the background.

A modern houseboat with large glass windows and a rooftop deck is docked on a body of water, with neighboring buildings and greenery in the background.

At 1,780 sq. ft of inside house with an extra 820-square-foot rooftop deck, the house prioritizes effectivity and flexibility. Its clear rectangular kind makes essentially the most of its footprint, whereas partitions of glass on the primary degree dissolve the boundary between indoors and out on three sides of the residence. From dawn over Lake Washington to boat visitors alongside Lake Union, each room is designed to have interaction with the ever-changing surroundings of Portage Bay.

Modern houseboat with large glass windows, an open living and dining area, and a ladder leading into the water, docked in an urban setting with apartment buildings in the background.

A waterfront deck with two chairs and a small table holding a bottle and glass, overlooking a calm body of water and city buildings under a clear sky.

Versatile shading programs, operable screens, and sliding glass doorways permit the residents to shift between privateness and openness – whether or not having fun with household time indoors or welcoming the energetic environment of the waterfront.

A person stands by large windows in a modern living room, overlooking a waterfront cityscape on a clear day.

Modern living room with wood-paneled walls, a gray sectional sofa with colorful pillows, a gray rug, a black wood stove, and a blue accent chair near large windows.

Modern living room with a black fireplace, bird wall decor, built-in wooden bar area with glassware, and a gray sectional sofa with a blanket and pillows.

The interiors echo the maritime setting by means of teak cabinetry, white oak flooring, and thoroughly crafted cabinetry that doubles as architectural transitions between areas. The nice and cozy, pure finishes deliver a way of timelessness whereas reinforcing the house’s connection to the boating group.

Modern kitchen and dining area with wood finishes, large windows, and a view of a river and bridge outside.

Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, white countertops, open shelving, and barstools; a dining table with succulents is in the foreground.

Modern open-plan kitchen and dining area with wooden cabinets, a large island with white bar stools, a wooden dining table, and lounge area in the background.

Modern open-concept kitchen and dining area with wood finishes, large windows overlooking a waterfront, and minimalist furnishings.

A wooden doorway frames a view of a modern living room with a sofa and large window overlooking water and buildings outside.

Modern interior with a wooden staircase, white walls, built-in wooden storage, and an adjacent study room with bookshelves and mid-century style furniture.

Modern home office with wooden bookshelves, colorful books, an iMac on a desk, two wooden chairs, abstract art, a record player, and a brown leather sofa.

A tan leather sofa sits in front of built-in wooden bookshelves filled with books, art objects, and decor, with a pinball machine on the left and modern sculptures on the right.

Modern bathroom with a white toilet, wood vanity, rectangular mirror, glass shower enclosure, and white tiled walls. A towel hangs on the sink and art is mounted on the wall.

A modern wooden staircase with a metal handrail leads up to a skylight; a framed picture hangs on the wall, and a living room with shelves is visible to the left.

Upstairs, the first suite is designed as a retreat reached by way of a double-height staircase lit from above with skylights. The higher degree bed room comes full with a comfy window seat overlooking a inexperienced roof. A lower-level library supplies one other personal house, enclosed when wanted to create a non-public escape from the open dwelling areas.

A modern bedroom with a wooden bed, blue bedding, a yellow accent pillow, two bedside tables with lamps, and a large abstract painting on the wall.

The bed room contains a curated mixture of woods, stones, glass, and resin to mirror the spectrum of nature seen from Pura Vida.

A modern bedroom with a wooden bed, blue and yellow bedding, a large abstract painting, a window seat with cushions, and sunlight streaming through a window.

A built-in window seat with two pillows and an open book overlooks a waterfront view; a small side table holds a cup and two books.

View of a hallway with built-in wooden cabinets and drawers; two towels hang on the left wall, with framed art above them, and natural light fills the space from windows ahead.

Modern bathroom with glass shower, wood cabinets, dual sink vanity, large mirror, potted plant, and a window letting in natural light.

The rooftop deck presents a second dwelling house that blends outside consolation with refined privateness. Movable furnishings, modular tables, and even a rolling hearth present versatile configurations for all the pieces from a quiet night to a social gathering. The built-in sedum roof not solely softens the construction’s profile but additionally helps stormwater administration – an eco-conscious nod to sustainable floating residence design.

Modern outdoor patio with a fire pit, black sofa, bar seating, and a dining area overlooking a river and a nearby bridge under clear skies.

Outdoor dining table set with white chairs, glassware, and limes on a deck overlooking a calm river and cityscape under a clear blue sky.

For extra data on the Pura Vida Floating Dwelling by Dyna Builders and Hoshide Wanzer Architects, go to hw-architectus.com.

Pictures by Andrew Giammarco.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in images from SCAD and might normally be discovered looking for classic wares, doing New York Instances crossword puzzles in pen, or transforming playlists on Spotify.



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