Pura Vida

The design of this floating home is based on the Costa Rican philosophy 'Pura Vida' which translates to 'Pure Life' - a reminder to cherish simple pleasures... spend time with loved ones... enjoy a relaxed pace of being... and recognize what is most important. Located on the waters of Portage Bay, the site provides a daily reflection of the ever-changing lake dynamic alongside a serene connection to nature.

Designed and inhabited by architects Paul & M.E. Wanzer, the house is a responsive design that allows them to adapt to both social and environmental conditions. A glass, waterfront pavilion that defines the public spaces can open on three sides for unobstructed lake access, or utilize sliding slat screens and solar shades to become a secluded retreat. The 2-story shoreside volume that houses the private zones can provide a quiet space for two, or allow access to a vegetative rooftop deck that can accommodate large gatherings and offer expansive views.

The construction process and systems integration for a floating home is unique - from coordinating permit reviews for various governing, environmental and cultural boards; to the delicate launching of a 300,000lb concrete displacement float into the water with both land and water cranes; to building the home offsite from a dockside location; to moving the (almost) finished home into place with two tugboats (weather permitting); to linking utility systems between water and land; to calibrating and balancing final loads to keep the home level. All efforts require attention to detail, sensitivity to site and an affinity for solving complex puzzles.