Blatto Boat, Seattle, Northwest home, Washington houseboat, USA architecture

Blatto Boat in Seattle

July 14, 2025

Architecture and Interiors: GO’C

Location: Seattle, Washington, United States of America

Photos: Andrew Pogue (all still images except overhead drone shot)
Peter Bohler (overhead drone shot)

Blatto Boat, Washington, USA

Blatto Boat is a new Floating On Water Residence (FOWR), commonly known as a houseboat, on the north end of Lake Union, constructed within the bounds of an existing boat. Constrained by the over-water footprint of the existing boat, Blatto Boat comes in at a narrow and long 12’x40’.

Working with a nautical engineer from the initial design phases GO’C was able to understand the vertical constraints, hull size, and ballasting required. The project became very much a three dimensional puzzle – 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.

With a 4’ tall steel hull, the main level of the home sits below the water line, lowering the center of gravity of the top heavy houseboat and allowing an entry access at a mid level adjacent to the finger dock. As the lake rises and falls through the seasons (by approximately 2’) the entry goes from level access to a raised entry accessed by a temporary stair on the dock.

On entering the residence, the central core of the structure is visible with a stair that wraps around the main level bathroom forming entry storage at the lower stair and bedroom storage up above. By nature of such a tight space and a desire to have a staircase (vs a ship ladder), very careful planning went into this knuckle of the house.

At the main level an L-shaped kitchen gives ample prep and storage space for an owner who prioritizes cooking at home. The cabinetry of the kitchen flows seamlessly into a built-in seating area adjacent to sliding doors which access the main level deck.

A moveable central island can function as additional kitchen prep space, a dining table, and a work desk. The windows in the kitchen and seating areas have extended sills to act as bookshelves. Many elements of the house serve double duty in this way.

Upstairs the language of carefully planned cabinetry continues in the bedroom with closets and bedside tables integrated. Similarly to the main level, large sliders open to a generous roof deck for entertaining. This roof deck can also be accessed via a ladder from the main deck so guests do not need to pass through the bedroom.

From the roof deck another ladder leads to a private upper roof deck above the bedroom – this is mainly to be utilized for planters to allow the owner to grow some of their own produce, but the space also offers incredible views of the Seattle skyline.

In a tight slip surrounded by other tall houseboats, natural light as well as privacy is very important. Clerestory windows are used throughout the main level to allow natural light in without direct views from neighbors. A skylight over the main level living area allows further light to penetrate into the center of the home.

The structure was built on land and lifted into the water and then towed to its final slip location. Ballast in the base of the hull is calculated and added based on the weight of the house with final leveling occurring in its permanent location.

Blatto Boat in Seattle, Washington – Building Information

Architecture and Interiors: GO’C – https://gocstudio.com/

Location: Seattle, WA USA

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GO’C Project Team:
Jon Gentry, AIA
Aimée O’Carroll, ARB
Matt Hunold, RA
Sara Long

Contractor: Wild Tree Woodworks
Structural Engineering: SSF Engineers
Marine Engineer: Kraftmar
Custom Steel Hull: Snow & Company

Materials/products/fabricators:
Kitchen / Dining/living:
Floor: Forbo Marmoleum
Ceiling: Clear hemlock
Lighting: Dals 2” LED
Cabinetry: Custom white oak cabinetry and sofa (pull out bed) designed by GO’C
Countertops: Richlite
Backsplash: Ceramic wall tile – Seashell
Range: Bosch
Cooktop: Bosch
Refrigerator: Summit

Hall:
Stairs/Entry landing: white oak engineered flooring

Primary Bedroom:
Floor: white oak engineered flooring
Ceiling: Clear hemlock
Bed/shelves/closet: Custom white oak, designed by GO’C
Lighting: Sconces – Cedar & Moss Wildwood, Pendant – Hay Rice Paper Lantern

Primary Bath:
Vanity: Custom white oak
Floor: Forbo Marmoleum
Shower walls/floor: ceramic wall tile – ocean

Exterior:
Windows: Weathershield Vue series Aluminium windows and doors (throughout house)
Cladding: Vertical cedar siding, ebony stain
Cladding: Richlite panels – slate
Metalwork: Custom steel ladders and guardrails, painted, Benjamin Moore onyx