Before ever arriving at its permanent home in Seattle’s vibrant Eastlake floating-home community, a striking new two-story residence undertook a unique nautical journey of its own. Built entirely on a heavy-duty concrete float at the Dyna Builders docks in Ballard, the house was towed across the lake before being carefully installed in its designated Eastlake slip. Today, with expansive glass walls that open directly onto the water, the newly completed Modern Beach House feels intimately and firmly connected to its dynamic aquatic surroundings, even as it floats gracefully above them.
Designed collaboratively by Hoshide Wanzer Architects + Interiors and constructed by Dyna Builders, the 2,123-square-foot residence successfully marries the relaxed, breezy character of a classic Nantucket beach house with the clean lines, rich material palette, and structural innovation typical of contemporary Pacific Northwest architecture. Encompassing three well-appointed bedrooms and open-plan living spaces, the home is purposefully designed to accommodate an active family whose daily routines revolve heavily around swimming, boating, and frequent entertaining.
“The homeowners were drawn to the relaxed, coastal aesthetic of Nantucket, and that influence really helped shape the character of the home,” says Ren Chandler, president and founder of Dyna Builders. Rather than relying on overt, cliché nautical motifs, the design approach deliberately incorporates weathered wood, tactile and honest finishes, and a serene, coastal-inspired palette defined by shades of blue, soft greens, and warm neutrals.
Constructing an entire residential structure on the water naturally requires a fundamentally different engineering and logistical approach than building on solid ground. The newly engineered concrete float provides a stable, long-lasting foundation for the home while expertly accommodating vital utilities and significantly simplifying long-term maintenance requirements. Opting to construct the house at Dyna’s Ballard docks prior to transport offered distinct logistical advantages, giving the construction team much easier access to specialized trades and heavy equipment while simultaneously minimizing noise, congestion, and disruption
to neighboring floating homes in Eastlake.
“Weight, balance, and structural integrity are all critical considerations, and everything needs to be carefully coordinated from the very beginning,” Chandler explains. Unlike a conventional residential foundation anchored to the earth, a floating structure requires exceptionally precise weight distribution. This physical reality directly influences decisions regarding everything from the primary structural framing system down to the selection of interior finishes and built-in millwork.
On the home’s main level, the kitchen, dining area, and living room share a fluid, open-plan layout oriented directly toward the sweeping vistas of Lake Union. Large Fleetwood glass doors are engineered to slide seamlessly into concealed pockets within the central fireplace massing, allowing the indoor living spaces to extend outward without interruption onto the waterfront deck. The prominent chimney continues upward through both floors, functioning as a solid architectural spine that visually and structurally organizes the entire interior.
Inside, a deep blue sectional sofa anchors the expansive living room, complemented by sculptural lounge chairs and a softly textured fireplace surround that adds warmth and tactile interest. Nearby, a built-in dining banquette wrapped in patterned upholstery offers generous, comfortable seating beneath a striking chandelier composed of multi-colored glass globes. The adjacent kitchen pairs warm wood lower cabinetry with crisp white upper cabinets and dramatically veined stone countertops, balancing practicality with high-end aesthetic appeal.
Durability sits at the very core of the architectural and material strategy. Weathered yakisugi siding—utilizing the traditional Japanese method of wood preservation—extends smoothly from the building’s exterior into the interior stairwell. Meanwhile, cork-rubber flooring, stain-resistant cabinetry fronts, and resilient tile surfaces are thoughtfully selected to easily accommodate wet recreational gear, family pets, and frequent social gatherings. A dedicated mudroom, equipped with both interior and exterior showers, provides a highly practical transitional threshold between the waters of the lake and the refined interior living spaces.
“Living directly on the water introduces some unique considerations, particularly when it comes to moisture, durability, and long-term maintenance,” Chandler notes. Careful detailing around exterior architectural openings, private decks, and all exposed surfaces ensures the home can comfortably withstand the Pacific Northwest’s notoriously damp climate over decades of use.
Upstairs, the private primary suite opens directly through large glass doors onto a private upper deck overlooking Lake Union. Minimalist glass railings are utilized to preserve unobstructed views of the water, while a cozy corner fireplace, a custom upholstered headboard, and rich warm wood millwork work together to cultivate an intimate, sanctuary-like atmosphere.
An adjacent dressing area features a particularly striking bespoke detail: a sculptural wood partition composed of vertically arranged slats with carved, undulating profiles. Integrated hidden storage turns this architectural partition into both a highly functional element and a compelling tactile feature within the suite.
The two additional bedrooms make clever use of their compact footprints by incorporating custom built-in bunks. These sleeping units feature internal steel framing that was custom-fabricated directly within Dyna’s specialized metal shop. One bedroom features playful illustrated maritime imagery, while the other incorporates calming botanical motifs, catering to younger family members or visiting guests.
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, offering a subtle, abstract nautical reference while casting a soft, diffuse glow across the vertical circulation space. Furthermore, carefully positioned ribbon windows and layered window treatments address the delicate challenge of privacy within a closely spaced floating-home community, ensuring absolute discretion without sacrificing precious natural light.
For Chandler, the most successful aspects of the architectural undertaking 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 equilibrium between rigorous technical precision and everyday domestic comfort ultimately defines the Modern Beach House. Through its adaptable interiors, expressive and resilient materials, and deeply integrated relationship with Lake Union, the residence succeeds in making an inherently unconventional way of living feel completely natural.
