This Floating Home Was Designed With 180 Degree Views Of The Water

February 15, 2022
Architecture firm Olson Kundig, has designed a floating cabin in Seattle, Washington, that's part of a floating home community on Portage Bay.

Architecture firm Olson Kundig has designed a floating home in Seattle, Washington, that’s part of a floating home community on Portage Bay.

The floating home lies low to the water and creates a platform from which to enjoy and engage with the surrounding waterway.

Architecture firm Olson Kundig, has designed a floating cabin in Seattle, Washington, that's part of a floating home community on Portage Bay.

The galvanized steel structure supports generous roof planes and walls of windows that open to 180-degree views and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.

This modern floathome includes a galvanized steel structure that supports generous roof planes and walls of windows that open to 180-degree views and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Lightly stained knotty western red cedar exterior siding will weather over time with minimal maintenance. The siding’s thin, vertical wood slats are arranged in an irregular articulated pattern, recalling the random composition of trees in a forest.

A modern floathome with lightly stained knotty western red cedar exterior siding, which will weather over time with minimal maintenance.

Durable, low-maintenance metal elements like galvanized steel and flame-sprayed zinc nod to the demanding marine environment. These metals will complement the color of the siding as it silvers with age, as well as the shifting blues and greys of the surrounding bay.

Durable, low-maintenance metal elements like galvanized steel and flame-sprayed zinc nod to the demanding marine environment of this modern floathome.

The wood materials continue through to the interior, with warm oak flooring and casework balanced by cooler silver and black metals.

A modern floathome with warm oak flooring and casework that's balanced by cooler silver and black metals.

The open plan main floor includes a living room with sliding glass walls that open to a deck with an outdoor fire pit and seating.

The open plan main floor of this modern floathome includes a living room with sliding glass walls that open to a deck with an outdoor fire pit and seating.

Separating the living room and the kitchen is the open-plan dining area with a wood dining table.

Separating the living room and the kitchen of this modern floathome, is the open plan dining area with a wood dining table that features metal  legs.

The kitchen is slightly raised from the dining area and includes open shelving, a skylight, wood cabinetry, and large windows.

This modern kitchen is slightly raised from the nearby dining area and includes open shelving, a skylight, wood cabinetry, and large windows.

Behind the living room, there’s also a home office that doubles as a bedroom with a pull-down bed. Sliding wood panels can be pulled across to become a wall when needed.

Behind the living room in this modern floathome, there's also a home office that doubles as a bedroom with a pull-down bed. Sliding wood panels can be pulled across to become a wall when needed.

The staircase to the second level includes knotty wood wall finishes and acts as a lightwell to capture natural daylight.

The staircase to the second level  of this modern floathome, includes knotty wood wall finishes, and acts as a lightwell to capture natural daylight.

The primary bedroom includes floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors, as well as a fireplace and built-in shelving.

This primary bedroom includes floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors, as well as a fireplace and built-in shelving.

The primary bathroom features the same materials as the exterior of the floating home, while the dual shower has water views and tiled walls.

This primary bathroom features wood walls, while the dual shower has water views and tiled walls.
This primary bathroom features wood walls, while the dual shower has water views and tiled walls.

There’s also a secondary bathroom with a live-edge floating wood vanity and shelf.

A modern bathroom with a live-edge floating wood vanity and shelf.
Photography by Aaron Leitz | Design: OLSON KUNDIG | Project Team: Jim Olson, FAIA, Design Principal; Jason Roseler, LEED AP, Project Manager; Betty Huang, Architectural Staff; Christine Burkland, Eunice Kim and Hunter Van Bramer, Interior Design Staff | Key Consultants: Dyna Contracting, General Contractor; Voelker Engineering, Structural Engineer; Brian Hood Lighting Design, Lighting Design