Travel by Design
10 North American Homes That Are Fabulously on the Water
Float homes, houseboats and boats serve these view-loving homeowners well
Did Sleepless in Seattle stir romantic thoughts about living in a floating house like the one Tom Hanks shares with his lovable matchmaking son? It was my first introduction to the on-the-water lifestyle, and the idea has fascinated me ever since. Whether it’s a float house like the one Hanks’ character lives in, a houseboat, a converted barge or a trawler, the thought of watching from the sofa as the wildlife swims or flies by, water just beneath my feet, is dreamy. Here are 10 unique homes that move with the water.
Oshatz designs in plan and section at the same time, imagining how life will function in the home. Copper and wood add warmth to the space while statement curves add softness.
Fun fact: The remarkable home was used in an episode of Portlandia.
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Fun fact: The remarkable home was used in an episode of Portlandia.
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2. Miesian Inspiration on Portage Bay
Located between Lake Washington and Lake Union in Seattle, this unique float home has industrial style and an efficient open-plan design. Inspired by the way Mies van der Rohe laid out the interior of Farnsworth House, his icon of International Style, the designers utilized a central core to hold the kitchen, bathroom and closets, and to divide the main living space from the bedroom.
This photo is a little deceiving as it shows the house being towed from Ballard, Washington, to its slip on the bay — it’s not actually a boathouse but a float house. Many float home sites do not allow construction at the slips, so the homes often have to be built elsewhere and then towed to their permanent spots.
Located between Lake Washington and Lake Union in Seattle, this unique float home has industrial style and an efficient open-plan design. Inspired by the way Mies van der Rohe laid out the interior of Farnsworth House, his icon of International Style, the designers utilized a central core to hold the kitchen, bathroom and closets, and to divide the main living space from the bedroom.
This photo is a little deceiving as it shows the house being towed from Ballard, Washington, to its slip on the bay — it’s not actually a boathouse but a float house. Many float home sites do not allow construction at the slips, so the homes often have to be built elsewhere and then towed to their permanent spots.
Sleek yet warm interiors make the most of the views. Smart built-in storage makes the home livable and maintains its neat look. The project was a collaboration between Kim Mankoski Interiors, architect Ryan Mankoski of Ninebark Design Build and Dyna Contracting.
Fun fact: In the shower, a leftover part of the cedar float structure now serves as a shower bench.
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Fun fact: In the shower, a leftover part of the cedar float structure now serves as a shower bench.
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3. Wharf History on Lake Union
Rather than doing the usual Craftsman-on-a-float often seen around Seattle, architect Dan Nelson
looked to local canneries and other industrial waterfront architecture for inspiration for this home, tying it to the history of the site. In fact, the couple for whom he designed the home fondly refer to it as “the floating cannery.”
The exterior is composed of rot-resistant Western red cedar, board and batten siding and Trespa panels. By placing the spiral staircase to the roof deck on the exterior, Nelson saved interior space and enhanced the facade.
Rather than doing the usual Craftsman-on-a-float often seen around Seattle, architect Dan Nelson
looked to local canneries and other industrial waterfront architecture for inspiration for this home, tying it to the history of the site. In fact, the couple for whom he designed the home fondly refer to it as “the floating cannery.”
The exterior is composed of rot-resistant Western red cedar, board and batten siding and Trespa panels. By placing the spiral staircase to the roof deck on the exterior, Nelson saved interior space and enhanced the facade.
Nelson made the most of the space constraints by going boxy and opening up the interiors to the water. Large glass garage doors on the lake side open completely.
Many float homes use smart strategies for providing privacy from the neighbors, as the homes typically float very close to one another. The walls with shelves, TVs, closets and fireplaces are often located along the sides of the homes.
Fun fact: This home’s roof deck includes a putting green.
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Many float homes use smart strategies for providing privacy from the neighbors, as the homes typically float very close to one another. The walls with shelves, TVs, closets and fireplaces are often located along the sides of the homes.
Fun fact: This home’s roof deck includes a putting green.
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4. North Carolina Bark Siding in Washington State
Here’s another Lake Union float house that’s a far cry from a floating Craftsman. KDF Architecture, Conard Romano Architects, G Little Construction and Doug Rasar Interior Design teamed up on it, mixing in a wide range of textures and elements, including bark siding, bronze, sapele, portholes, stone and even a planted roof. This project marked the first time the signature bark siding from Bark House in North Carolina was used in Washington state.
Here’s another Lake Union float house that’s a far cry from a floating Craftsman. KDF Architecture, Conard Romano Architects, G Little Construction and Doug Rasar Interior Design teamed up on it, mixing in a wide range of textures and elements, including bark siding, bronze, sapele, portholes, stone and even a planted roof. This project marked the first time the signature bark siding from Bark House in North Carolina was used in Washington state.
There isn’t a speck of drywall to be found inside. Instead, organic textures like wood and stone keeps things warm. A custom railing opens the bedroom loft to the views; brighter colors are introduced via artful glass pendants and paintings.
Fun fact: This home has a dumbwaiter that extends from the space below the first floor all the way up to the roof deck. It makes serving and hauling firewood easy.
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Fun fact: This home has a dumbwaiter that extends from the space below the first floor all the way up to the roof deck. It makes serving and hauling firewood easy.
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5. Vancouver Views From an Ideally Located Marina
This float home is one of only six in tony Coal Harbour Marina in Vancouver, Canada.
Clear-coat-finished cedar and corrugated steel create a compelling contrast on the exterior. A shiny mirror finish on the steel recalls boat sheds from the city’s past and nods to the surrounding modern skyline of the present.
This float home is one of only six in tony Coal Harbour Marina in Vancouver, Canada.
Clear-coat-finished cedar and corrugated steel create a compelling contrast on the exterior. A shiny mirror finish on the steel recalls boat sheds from the city’s past and nods to the surrounding modern skyline of the present.
As you can see, the homeowners enjoy a special urban waterfront experience here, floating while surrounded by skyscrapers. There are also views out to the mountains. Three levels of outdoor rooms off the home — the deck, the balcony and the roof deck — maximize indoor-outdoor living.
Fun fact: When built, this home was one of only 18 floating homes in all of Vancouver.
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Fun fact: When built, this home was one of only 18 floating homes in all of Vancouver.
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6. Artful Houseboat-Turned-Float House in Sausalito
This renovation was a true labor of love. Homeowners Tom and Malinda Macey transformed a shack of a houseboat into an art-filled cozy float house on San Francisco Bay. They worked on it for 12 years, living in it almost the entire time they were renovating.
A custom mural by graffiti artist John Neuhoff lets you know from the outside that this is a creative home full of art and collections.
This renovation was a true labor of love. Homeowners Tom and Malinda Macey transformed a shack of a houseboat into an art-filled cozy float house on San Francisco Bay. They worked on it for 12 years, living in it almost the entire time they were renovating.
A custom mural by graffiti artist John Neuhoff lets you know from the outside that this is a creative home full of art and collections.
Inside, the home feels much larger than its modest 485 square feet, thanks to high ceilings, expansive windows and water views.
Fun fact: Tom is a construction supervisor and was able to salvage discarded materials and reuse them around the house. For example, an unwanted countertop and maple floors found a home here rather than in the landfill.
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Fun fact: Tom is a construction supervisor and was able to salvage discarded materials and reuse them around the house. For example, an unwanted countertop and maple floors found a home here rather than in the landfill.
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7. Prefab and Ready to Power Across the Water
So far, the homes we’ve seen require a tow to move in or out of their slips, and are known as float houses. The term is often used interchangeably with houseboat, but the latter more accurately describes a home that can motor around on its own.
Portuguese design firm Friday makes FloatWing prefabricated units, which have the option of being a true motorized houseboat or a float house. The homes are available in sizes ranging from 300-square-foot studio units to 560-square-foot, three-bedroom models. This particular model includes the roof deck option as well as the motor option. The architecture is seaworthy for calm waters and can handle waves up to 3 feet high.
So far, the homes we’ve seen require a tow to move in or out of their slips, and are known as float houses. The term is often used interchangeably with houseboat, but the latter more accurately describes a home that can motor around on its own.
Portuguese design firm Friday makes FloatWing prefabricated units, which have the option of being a true motorized houseboat or a float house. The homes are available in sizes ranging from 300-square-foot studio units to 560-square-foot, three-bedroom models. This particular model includes the roof deck option as well as the motor option. The architecture is seaworthy for calm waters and can handle waves up to 3 feet high.
The interiors are clean and minimalistic, with the focus on the views. You can order one of these homes with photovoltaic and solar panels, which can power the home for a week.
Fun fact: The prefab pieces for the entire houseboat fit into two standard-size shipping containers.
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Fun fact: The prefab pieces for the entire houseboat fit into two standard-size shipping containers.
See the rest of this house
8. Floating Down the Seine on a Barge
Over in Europe, we’ve explored a couple of unique commercial barges-turned-homes. This one’s usual setting is on the Seine in Draveil, south of Paris. It needed a complete overhaul to make it sustainable, well-insulated and laid out for a family of four’s lifestyle.
Over in Europe, we’ve explored a couple of unique commercial barges-turned-homes. This one’s usual setting is on the Seine in Draveil, south of Paris. It needed a complete overhaul to make it sustainable, well-insulated and laid out for a family of four’s lifestyle.
Inside, modern furnishings, Ikea built-ins and crisp aesthetics give the houseboat a loft-like feeling. Architect Yann Coulouarn completely reworked the interior to suit the family, lowering the living room floor to gain ceiling height and adding extra portholes at lower levels for views and light. All of the public spaces are open to one another on the barge, which has three bedrooms and one bathroom.
Fun fact: The barge was originally used for commercial hauling when built in the 1930s. It was first converted to a houseboat in the 1970s.
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Fun fact: The barge was originally used for commercial hauling when built in the 1930s. It was first converted to a houseboat in the 1970s.
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9. Reclaimed and Moored in London
The design firm that Lee Thornley founded, Bert & May, sells reclaimed and new tiles, reclaimed wood and vintage furniture, so it makes sense that he would reclaim an entire barge and outfit it with all of the above. He uses the barge as his own personal floating B&B when he needs to stay in the city, and also holds meetings and company lunches there, as the boat is usually moored next to Bert & May headquarters on Regent’s Canal.
The design firm that Lee Thornley founded, Bert & May, sells reclaimed and new tiles, reclaimed wood and vintage furniture, so it makes sense that he would reclaim an entire barge and outfit it with all of the above. He uses the barge as his own personal floating B&B when he needs to stay in the city, and also holds meetings and company lunches there, as the boat is usually moored next to Bert & May headquarters on Regent’s Canal.
Thornley eschewed much of the built-in furniture commonly found on boats in favor of beautiful free-standing vintage pieces. He counterbalanced heavy materials like marble countertops, a tile-covered bathroom and a wood stove with concrete underneath the floor to keep the boat level.
Fun fact: When building the roof deck’s railings, the team forgot that the barge would have to pass underneath low bridges. They refitted them with knee joints so they can be folded down when the barge is on the move.
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Fun fact: When building the roof deck’s railings, the team forgot that the barge would have to pass underneath low bridges. They refitted them with knee joints so they can be folded down when the barge is on the move.
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10. Living Aboard on San Francisco Bay
Kelsey Lettko was tired of the expensive landlubber living conditions in San Francisco, so she traded in her apartment’s air shaft view for a 36-foot Nova trawler’s marine vistas. Here she’s seen sitting in her favorite spot on the deck, which serves as both alfresco home office and dining room.
Kelsey Lettko was tired of the expensive landlubber living conditions in San Francisco, so she traded in her apartment’s air shaft view for a 36-foot Nova trawler’s marine vistas. Here she’s seen sitting in her favorite spot on the deck, which serves as both alfresco home office and dining room.
Lettko’s boyfriend, her father and her neighbor all helped her renovate the boat, which she refers to as her “floating condo.” The teak is original to the 1988 craft. Minus a few leaks here and there that are on the to-do list, things are ship-shape.
Fun fact: Lettko’s sister lives on a boat just a few slips over, but her favorite way to get over there for a visit is by kayak.
Learn more about Lettko’s marina lifestyle on Houzz TV
More: 11 Amazing Home-Away-From-Home Tree Houses
Fun fact: Lettko’s sister lives on a boat just a few slips over, but her favorite way to get over there for a visit is by kayak.
Learn more about Lettko’s marina lifestyle on Houzz TV
More: 11 Amazing Home-Away-From-Home Tree Houses
Architect Robert Oshatz let form follow function when it came to this float house in Portland, Oregon. The curvaceous forms started inside, where his clients wanted a non-boxy, loft-like space full of light and comfortable spots in which to read and enjoy the views, particularly at sunset. The way he arranged the shingles outside was inspired by the ripples and rhythm of the river.