{"id":662,"date":"2025-07-30T17:00:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T17:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.angesfinanciers.org\/?p=662"},"modified":"2025-08-01T15:08:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T15:08:43","slug":"goc-designs-seattle-houseboat-as-a-study-in-tiny-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.angesfinanciers.org\/index.php\/2025\/07\/30\/goc-designs-seattle-houseboat-as-a-study-in-tiny-living\/","title":{"rendered":"GO’C designs Seattle houseboat as a study in “tiny living”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"go'c<\/div>\n

Architectural studio GO’C<\/a> has converted a 1970s houseboat into a contemporary, multi-level residence called Blatto Boat, which features a variety of space-saving<\/a> strategies and three outdoor decks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moored within a marina on the northern end of Lake Union, a freshwater lake in Seattle<\/a>, the floating residence<\/a> is tucked into a slender slip in a finger dock, where numerous other houseboats are located.<\/p>\n

\"Blatto
GO’C has converted a 1970s decommissioned houseboat into a contemporary multi-level residence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The project involved converting a decommissioned, 1970s “cruise-a-home” boat into a modern residence for a doctor. The design needed to include all of the basic comforts of home and conform to the boat’s “over-water footprint”, which was long and narrow at 40 foot by 12 foot (12 metres by 3.7 metres).<\/p>\n

Figuring out how to include areas for cooking, sleeping, bathing and working within such a tight space was a challenge. Moreover, the design had to consider elements specific to watercraft, such as hull size and ballasting needs.<\/p>\n

\"go'c
The houseboat is located in Lake Union, a freshwater lake in Seattle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The project became very much a three-dimensional puzzle,” said GO’C<\/a>, a local architectural studio, which worked with a nautical engineer on the project.<\/p>\n

“How do you factor in all the elements of a conventional home in a very unconventional space? This became a study of tiny living at its finest and resulted in a design in which all elements are fully considered and integrated much like they would in a ship’s cabin.”<\/p>\n

\"Seattle
It is clad in ebony-stained cedar siding<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The team conceived a rectangular, 618-square-foot (57-square-metre) home with a series of outdoor decks. Facades were clad in ebony-stained cedar siding.<\/p>\n

Construction work took place on land with the two-storey houseboat then placed into the lake and towed to its final slip location.<\/p>\n

\"Blatto
Construction happened on land and then the houseboat was towed to its final destination<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The dwelling is entered via a front door that is not always level with the boat dock, as the lake rises and falls about two feet (0.6 metres).<\/p>\n

To accommodate the fluctuation, there is a detachable stair that links the main entrance to the dock.<\/p>\n

\"Blatto
The lower level of the house contains an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space and bathroom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The lower level of the home contains an open-plan kitchen, dining area and living space, along with a bathroom. The team tucked in storage<\/a> where it could and incorporated elements that serve more than one purpose, such as window sills that double as bookshelves.<\/p>\n

“Many elements of the house serve double duty in this way,” the team said.<\/p>\n

\"Seattle
Window sills double as shelves for extra storage in the small space<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The kitchen’s L-shape layout helped maximise space for storage and food prep \u2013 important considerations given that the owner prioritises cooking at home. A moveable island can be used as a counter, a dining table or a work desk.<\/p>\n

The kitchen cabinetry merges with a built-in sleeper sofa and nightstand. A sliding glass door provides access to an outdoor deck.<\/p>\n

\"go'c
A bedroom is located on the upper level<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the upper level, there is compact bedroom, with built-in closets and bedside tables. Similar to the lower level, a sliding door opens onto a deck.<\/p>\n

Ladders<\/a> connect this deck to the lower-level deck, along with a third deck up above, where there are planters for gardening and views of the Seattle skyline.<\/p>\n