Inside a Modern, Light-Filled Seattle Houseboat Inspired by the Costa Rican Philosophy of Pura Vida

When designing his new home, Seattle-based architect Paul Wanzer chose to think inside the box but off of the land altogether. A principal at Hoshide Wanzer Architects + Interiors, he teamed up with Dyna Builders for a modern cubic volume floating on Seattle’s Portage Bay. His design inspiration? The Costa Rican philosophy of pura vida, which emphasizes connection with nature, simple pleasures, and easy living.

All three of those tenets are found within the one-bedroom, two-bath abode, which replaced an aging houseboat that had occupied the slip for decades. The prior home had sat on an old-growth log float that was likely from the early 20th century, so Dyna built a brand-new concrete float for Wanzer’s new residence. The rectangular structure was then built in a shipyard before being towed into place.

The design team made the most of the 1,780 square feet available to them, allowing for almost unfettered openness to the watery landscape while also recognizing the need for privacy in such tight quarters. The dining and living areas on the main level are flanked by soaring walls of glass, with blinds, shutters, and screens allowing Wanzer to decide exactly how much transparency he wants at any moment. And, if he desires total privacy, the main-floor library can be completely enclosed, serving as a respite for seclusion, work, or creative play.

Throughout the home, the materials and colors used nod to the nautical setting. White oak floors take you from room to room, where bookmatched white teak casework is a reference to the boating community. A cozy window seat in the upstairs primary bedroom, meanwhile, looks out on a vegetated sedum roof, giving it another connection to nature.

A couple of key outdoor areas add to the small footprint’s livability. Telescopic glass panels slide open to connect the main living area to a small deck for barbecuing, as well as a floating dock for kayaks and other watercraft. Up top, the rooftop deck has plenty of space for outdoor dining and lounging. The furniture is all movable, including the fire pit, giving Wanzer the ability to reconfigure the setup as needed.

While not all houseboats are as chic as this Portage Bay beauty, pretty cool versions do occasionally pop up for sale. A couple of years back, a funky floating home hit the market for $4.9 million in California’s Santa Barbara, and more recently, a $4.7 million two-bedroom houseboat was listed late last year not too far from Wanzer’s place in Seattle.

Click here to see all the photos of the Seattle floating home.