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Pura Vida Is a Modern Floating Home on Seattle’s Portage Bay

ByMyProperty Life

Seattle’s Portage Bay has a new architectural landmark – a floating home designed by Dyna Builders in collaboration with Hoshide Wanzer Architects. Rooted in the Costa Rican concept of pura vida, the appropriately named Pura Vida Floating Home celebrates simplicity, balance, and a deep connection to nature while embracing the unique challenges of life on the water.

Modern floating house with dark exterior panels and wooden slats, viewed from a walkway leading to an open entryway over the water.

Replacing a decades-old houseboat that once occupied the canal slip, the project began with a new reinforced concrete float – a foundation that provides long-term stability and modern utility access for plumbing and electrical systems. The home itself was built in Dyna’s Ballard shipyard and carefully towed into place, a reminder of the precision required for floating architecture in Seattle’s waterways.

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Modern floating house with large glass windows, rooftop seating area, and interior lights on, situated on a body of water with trees and buildings in the background.

A modern houseboat with large glass windows and a rooftop deck is docked on a body of water, with neighboring buildings and greenery in the background.

At 1,780 square feet of interior space with an additional 820-square-foot rooftop deck, the home prioritizes efficiency and adaptability. Its clean rectangular form makes the most of its footprint, while walls of glass on the main level dissolve the boundary between indoors and out on three sides of the residence. From sunrise over Lake Washington to boat traffic along Lake Union, every room is designed to engage with the ever-changing scenery of Portage Bay.

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Modern houseboat with large glass windows, an open living and dining area, and a ladder leading into the water, docked in an urban setting with apartment buildings in the background.

A waterfront deck with two chairs and a small table holding a bottle and glass, overlooking a calm body of water and city buildings under a clear sky.

Flexible shading systems, operable screens, and sliding glass doors allow the residents to shift between privacy and openness – whether enjoying family time indoors or welcoming the lively atmosphere of the waterfront.

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A person stands by large windows in a modern living room, overlooking a waterfront cityscape on a clear day.

Modern living room with wood-paneled walls, a gray sectional sofa with colorful pillows, a gray rug, a black wood stove, and a blue accent chair near large windows.

Modern living room with a black fireplace, bird wall decor, built-in wooden bar area with glassware, and a gray sectional sofa with a blanket and pillows.

The interiors echo the maritime setting through teak cabinetry, white oak floors, and carefully crafted cabinetry that doubles as architectural transitions between spaces. The warm, natural finishes bring a sense of timelessness while reinforcing the home’s connection to the boating community.

Modern kitchen and dining area with wood finishes, large windows, and a view of a river and bridge outside.

Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, white countertops, open shelving, and barstools; a dining table with succulents is in the foreground.

Modern open-plan kitchen and dining area with wooden cabinets, a large island with white bar stools, a wooden dining table, and lounge area in the background.

Modern open-concept kitchen and dining area with wood finishes, large windows overlooking a waterfront, and minimalist furnishings.

A wooden doorway frames a view of a modern living room with a sofa and large window overlooking water and buildings outside.

Modern interior with a wooden staircase, white walls, built-in wooden storage, and an adjacent study room with bookshelves and mid-century style furniture.

Modern home office with wooden bookshelves, colorful books, an iMac on a desk, two wooden chairs, abstract art, a record player, and a brown leather sofa.

A tan leather sofa sits in front of built-in wooden bookshelves filled with books, art objects, and decor, with a pinball machine on the left and modern sculptures on the right.

Modern bathroom with a white toilet, wood vanity, rectangular mirror, glass shower enclosure, and white tiled walls. A towel hangs on the sink and art is mounted on the wall.

A modern wooden staircase with a metal handrail leads up to a skylight; a framed picture hangs on the wall, and a living room with shelves is visible to the left.

Upstairs, the primary suite is designed as a retreat reached via a double-height staircase lit from above with skylights. The upper level bedroom comes complete with a cozy window seat overlooking a green roof. A lower-level library provides another private space, enclosed when needed to create a private escape from the open living areas.

A modern bedroom with a wooden bed, blue bedding, a yellow accent pillow, two bedside tables with lamps, and a large abstract painting on the wall.

The bedroom features a curated mix of woods, stones, glass, and resin to reflect the spectrum of nature seen from Pura Vida.

A modern bedroom with a wooden bed, blue and yellow bedding, a large abstract painting, a window seat with cushions, and sunlight streaming through a window.

A built-in window seat with two pillows and an open book overlooks a waterfront view; a small side table holds a cup and two books.

View of a hallway with built-in wooden cabinets and drawers; two towels hang on the left wall, with framed art above them, and natural light fills the space from windows ahead.

Modern bathroom with glass shower, wood cabinets, dual sink vanity, large mirror, potted plant, and a window letting in natural light.

The rooftop deck offers a second living space that blends outdoor comfort with subtle privacy. Movable furnishings, modular tables, and even a rolling fireplace provide flexible configurations for everything from a quiet evening to a social gathering. The integrated sedum roof not only softens the structure’s profile but also supports stormwater management – an eco-conscious nod to sustainable floating home design.

Modern outdoor patio with a fire pit, black sofa, bar seating, and a dining area overlooking a river and a nearby bridge under clear skies.

Outdoor dining table set with white chairs, glassware, and limes on a deck overlooking a calm river and cityscape under a clear blue sky.

For more information on the Pura Vida Floating Home by Dyna Builders and Hoshide Wanzer Architects, visit hw-architectus.com.

Photography by Andrew Giammarco.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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