Before arriving at its permanent home in Seattle’s picturesque Eastlake floating-home community, this striking two-story residence undertook a remarkable journey of its own. Built entirely upon a heavy concrete float at the Dyna Builders docks in Ballard, the house was carefully towed across the water and successfully installed into its designated Eastlake slip. Today, with expansive glass walls that open directly onto the shimmering surface of the water, the Modern Beach House feels intimately connected to its vibrant aquatic surroundings, even as it hovers gracefully above them.
Designed by the architectural and interior design firm Hoshide Wanzer Architects + Interiors and constructed with precision by Dyna Builders, the 2,123-square-foot residence masterfully bridges two distinct design worlds. It successfully combines the relaxed, carefree character of a traditional Nantucket beach house with the clean, minimalist lines and sophisticated material richness typical of contemporary Pacific Northwest architecture. Encompassing three bedrooms and generous open-plan living spaces, the home is thoughtfully tailored to accommodate an active family whose daily routines revolve around swimming, boating, and entertaining guests against the backdrop of the Seattle skyline.
"The homeowners were drawn to the relaxed, coastal aesthetic of Nantucket, and that influence really helped shape the character of the home," explains Ren Chandler, president and founder of Dyna Builders. Rather than relying on overt or cliché nautical motifs, the design team chose to evoke a coastal atmosphere through the use of weathered wood, highly tactile finishes, and a serene, cohesive color palette dominated by soothing blues, greens, and warm neutrals. This subtle approach allows the natural beauty of the surrounding lake environment to take center stage.
Constructing a home entirely on the water demands an engineering and logistical approach vastly different from traditional building on solid ground. The newly engineered concrete float provides a stable, buoyant foundation for the multi-story structure while seamlessly accommodating essential utilities and simplifying long-term maintenance needs. Constructing the home at Dyna’s specialized Ballard docks offered significant logistical advantages, granting the construction team easier access to necessary specialized trades and heavy equipment while drastically minimizing disruption to neighboring residents in the crowded and tightly knit Seattle floating-home community.
"Weight, balance, and structural integrity are all critical considerations, and everything needs to be carefully coordinated from the beginning," Chandler explains. Unlike a conventional house built on a permanent earth foundation, a floating structure requires exceptionally precise weight distribution. This fundamental physical requirement directly influences decisions regarding every single aspect of the design, ranging from the primary structural framing system down to the selection of interior finishes and custom millwork.
On the main level, the kitchen, dining area, and living room share a spacious open-plan layout oriented directly toward the sweeping vistas of Lake Union. Large Fleetwood glass doors are ingeniously engineered to slide entirely into wall pockets integrated within the central fireplace massing. This clever architectural feature allows the interior living spaces to extend seamlessly outward onto the waterfront deck, effectively dissolving the boundary between indoors and outdoors. The prominent chimney continues upward through both floors, functioning as a solid architectural spine that visually and structurally organizes the interior floor plan.
A deep blue sectional sofa anchors the expansive living room, complemented by sculptural lounge chairs and a softly textured fireplace surround that invites quiet relaxation. Nearby, a built-in dining banquette wrapped in richly patterned upholstery offers generous, comfortable seating beneath a striking chandelier composed of colorful, multi-hued glass globes. The adjacent kitchen pairs warm wood cabinetry with crisp white upper cabinets and dramatically veined stone countertops, creating a sophisticated yet welcoming culinary workspace.
Durability is a central pillar of the home’s architectural and interior design strategy. Weathered yakisugi siding—utilizing the traditional Japanese method of charring wood for preservation—extends continuously from the exterior facade into the interior stairwell, establishing a strong visual connection. Meanwhile, high-performance cork-rubber flooring, stain-resistant cabinetry fronts, and resilient tile surfaces are chosen specifically to accommodate wet gear, family pets, and frequent social gatherings. A dedicated mudroom outfitted with both interior and exterior showers provides a practical, highly functional transition zone between the lake and the refined living quarters.
"Living directly on the water introduces some unique considerations, particularly when it comes to moisture, durability, and long-term maintenance," Chandler notes. Meticulous detailing around exterior openings, cantilevered decks, and all exposed architectural surfaces ensures the home can successfully withstand the famously damp and demanding climate of the Pacific Northwest.
Upstairs, the luxurious primary suite opens directly onto a private upper-level deck overlooking the expanse of Lake Union. Sleek glass railings preserve uninterrupted views of the water and distant bridges, while a corner fireplace, a plush upholstered headboard, and warm wood millwork combine to cultivate a deeply intimate and restful atmosphere. An adjacent dressing area features one of the home’s most striking artistic details: a sculptural wood partition composed of vertically arranged slats featuring carved, undulating profiles. Integrated custom storage turns this partition into both a highly functional element and a deeply tactile architectural installation.
The two additional bedrooms make exceptionally efficient use of their compact footprints by incorporating custom built-in bunk beds. These bunks feature internal steel framing that was custom-fabricated directly in Dyna’s dedicated metal shop. One bedroom features playful illustrated maritime imagery, while the other incorporates serene botanical motifs, adding unique character to each space.
The main stairwell offers yet another testament to the project’s high level of custom craftsmanship. Illuminated resin panels form a translucent screen alongside the steel-and-wood stairs, providing a subtle nautical reference while casting a soft, ambient glow across the vertical circulation space. Throughout the upper and lower levels, carefully positioned ribbon windows and layered window treatments thoughtfully address privacy concerns within the closely spaced floating-home community without ever sacrificing an abundance of natural daylight.
For Chandler, the most successful aspects of the ambitious project are not necessarily the ones that immediately catch the eye. "There’s a tremendous amount of engineering and coordination that goes into a project like this, but ideally, none of that is particularly apparent when you’re walking through the house," he reflects.
That delicate balance between rigorous technical precision and effortless everyday comfort ultimately defines the Modern Beach House. With its highly adaptable interiors, expressive and durable materials, and an unusually close physical relationship to the lake, the residence succeeds in making an unconventional and complex way of living feel entirely natural.
