Houseboat H

Bill Bloxom commissioned the designed of his floating house around one fundamental concept: What if new structures could improve and enrich the environment? With sustainability driving every decision, Bill assembled a team (Gloria Andrade as project designer, and G. Little Construction as the contractor) to build a truly sustainable, beautiful home that extends the shoreline habitat instead of taking away from it. During the process, Bill married architect, Michelle Lanker, who then joined the team as Architect of Record and sustainability expert. Dubbed Houseboat H, the home truly has a symbiotic relationship with the lake. Far more than a getaway, this stunning home with priceless views also collects data on the ways in which intentional, ecologically-friendly design can enrich and protect the environment.

The home’s most important feature are the floating islands suspended below the deck. Floating island technology was designed to improve water quality and to create new habitats for aquatic life, thereby extending the shoreline. Made from recycled plastic material, the planters allow the roots of native plants to grow through and eventually extend into the water below, creating fish habitats. A large window in the basement float of the house allows observation of the fish inhabiting these islands. Friendly bacteria colonize in the plastic material, feeding on excess nutrients in the water to discourage suffocating algae growth.

Bill lost the original, 100-year old houseboat structure to fire. Although the structure itself was destroyed, the old-growth cedar logs which formed the traditional float for the original home were surprisingly well-preserved. The salvaged logs were dried and processed and incorporated into the interior of the home, including a dramatic curved ceiling in the bedroom and other built-in elements. The result is a stunning tribute to the original family home that honors the sustainability woven into every design feature.

With stunning view of Lake Union and the Seattle city skyline, the team chose opening glass NanaWall systems in the living room and master bedroom to dissolve the barrier between indoors and out. The NanaWall WA67 opening glass walls fully retract to allow interaction with the lake, a vital component of houseboat life. When closed, the aluminum cladding and performance sills are engineered to perform in heavy wind and rain environments, protecting against heat loss, water penetration and air infiltration.

Sustainability reigns supreme throughout the home’s design and construction, and the sheer number of features is staggering. The walls and the roof are designed with maximum insulation thicknesses and minimum air leakage. The exterior materials have been chosen for minimum maintenance and maximum durability. Unlike traditional houseboats, there is no wood cladding on the exterior to insure against corrosion and weathering. The exterior cement fiber wall paneling is installed as a rain screen system to prevent any possible moisture infiltration. Two-thirds of the roof is covered by a 5.32 KW solar array, installed over a standing seam metal roof. The final third curved portion is a vegetated roof system to help further insulate the interior space.

A titanium plate with an 800 lineal foot transfer fluid coil loop is attached to the west side of the deck structure and extends into the water to collect heat from the lake. The lake water temperature stays at a pretty constant 45°F during the winter at the 8’-0” depth the plate is submerged to. The 30°F minimum temperature of the transfer fluid in the loop is able to absorb this temperature differential to bring back to the heat exchanger in the mechanical room. An 80-gallon storage tank supplies hot water for the household and the polished concrete heated flooring. LED light fixtures and electric systems and appliances throughout the house ensure an essentially net zero energy use since the water heater – which also provides a boost of heat during cold months - is powered by the electricity generated from the solar array.

Renewable resource materials have been used throughout the home’s interior and exterior design. All cabinetry is either cedar or bamboo, and the second story flooring and stair treads are bamboo. Concrete flooring on the main floor and basement were selected for durability and aesthetics, ensuring a lifetime of use. Wherever possible, materials were left unfinished and exposed. An Epic deck on the main floor has been left uncovered in the basement, allowing for maximum ceiling height and a unique texture. The steel structure, including support beams, were also left exposed.

Houseboat culture has always included responsible stewardship of lakes and waterways. In discussing traditional houseboat construction, Michelle Lanker explains, “While passive eco-friendly design was incorporated through deep eaves for shade provided by roofs and single story spaces with many windows for ventilation, as these houses have aged and have needed upkeep many have still not embraced the technological side of environmental design.” Bill, Michelle, Gloria, and the rest of the team believe that Houseboat H is the best of both worlds: It respects and celebrates the beauty of the lake aesthetically and ecologically while incorporating the benefits of cutting edge technology.