The Life Aquatic (continued)
Photo: Fred Albert
At his clients' request, Carlander positioned bedrooms below and common areas above, then linked the two with a frosted-glass stairwell. "I wanted the experience of using the stair to be as cool as possible," says the architect, who collaborated with dBoone Construction. The luminous stairwell glows like a beacon at night.
Although the upper floor has the best views, Carlander limited windows to preserve privacy and provide space for art. "Houseboats are somewhat chameleon-like: They want to be open, but they also want to be closed because of the proximity to neighbors," the architect says. Stacking glass doors open one wall to a covered deck and skyline vista; a spiral stair affords easy access to the rooftop deck, where the owners can practically touch the fireworks that light up the lake each Fourth of July. A narrow band of windows over the kitchen counter frames views of sailboats and seaplanes coasting past nearby Gas Works Park. "There's so much action here, but it's so quiet at the same time," marvels Barry.
Limestone countertops flecked with fossils animate the open kitchen, which features cabinets crafted from zebrawood. "It's literally the only real texture and splash of color in the room," observes Carlander, who concealed drawers behind doors to preserve the unbroken sweep of horizontal grain. When he's not designing jewelry at the corner desk, Barry prepares meals on the same model Dacor range he uses back in Sun Valley. "The older you get, the simpler you want things," he laughs.
What the Pros Know
Since the Petersons weren't going to be living in their houseboat full time, they wanted a place that wouldn't suffer from neglect or require frequent maintenance. Architect Tim Carlander sided the house in 1⁄4- inch-thick aluminum panels and SlateScape Xtreme, a fiber-cement product that comes in 10 different hues. Since the color is integral, edges can be exposed and cleaning won't harm it. "Once it goes up, you're done. You don't have to go back and paint it or seal it," says Carlander, who specified stainless-steel fasteners to prevent rust and streaking. Both siding materials were installed using a rainscreen system in which siding is applied to battens affixed to the exterior sheathing. The resulting air cavities allow rain to drain out the bottom and prevent moisture from permeating the house wrap or promoting mold. The process adds about 10 to 15 percent to the price of a siding system, but, Carlander says, the problems it prevents more than justify the cost.
Subscribe to ELLE DECOR magazine
MORE REMODEL ARTICLES
