Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington

Portage Bay House Seattle, Washington Waterfront Residence, Building Photos

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle

Washington Waterfront Home, USA – design by Heliotrope Architects

Apr 15, 2020

Portage Bay Residence, Seattle, WA

Design: Heliotrope Architects

Location: Portage Bay, Seattle, Washington, USA

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington

Tucked into a small city lot along the water’s edge, the Portage Bay Residence was designed to live like a studio loft for a bachelor who values privacy, a central location to reside in the city, and a convenient spot to park the float plane.

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington

Hidden from the street, the building is a protective shell of zinc and aluminum – a refined version of the maritime industrial sheds found throughout the waterfronts of Seattle.

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington

Water-side, the house becomes more transparent, with prospect-views over the houseboats of Portage Bay, the University of Washington, and the Cascade Mountains.

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington

Living, cooking, and sleeping all occur in one volume distributed over two floor levels, sized and shaped to envelope the occupant in a protective refuge.

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington

The kitchen is small and streamlined with equipment paired down to the essentials.

Portage Bay Washington waterfront property kitchen interior

Bathing happens in a below-grade spa or a master bath with a Japanese style hinoki tub overlooking the lake.

Portage Bay Washington Waterfront home bathroom interior

An interior palette of cedar, walnut, flagstone, blackened steel and marble stands in contrast to the machine-like character of the exterior.

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington

Site constraints, and the modest needs of a bachelor, generated a one-bedroom residence smaller in size and lower in height than the house it replaced.

Washington waterfront property design by Heliotrope Architects Washington Waterfront home design by Heliotrope Architects sauna

Portage Bay Residence, Washington – Building Information

Project Team
Architecture: Heliotrope Architects
Contractor: ESMB, Inc.
Architectural metals: Company K + Decorative Metal Arts
Landscape: Jonathan Morley of the Berger Partnership
Furnishings: Inform Interiors

Washington Waterfront home design by Heliotrope Architects stairs Washington Waterfront house design by Heliotrope Architects stairs

Photographer: Aaron Leitz

Washington Waterfront house design by Heliotrope Architects

Portage Bay Residence in Seattle, Washington images / information received 271119

Location: Portage Bay, Seattle, Washington, USA – eastern arm of Lake Union, Lake Washington Ship Canal

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