Citizen Design: A Collaborative Vision

Citizen Design, the architectural arm of Collaborative CO, approaches every project with the goal of delivering joyful, collaborative, and client-centered designs. The firm’s primary focus lies in custom single-family residential designs, where their broad expertise and thoughtful process allow them to excel in this specialized area of architectural endeavor.

This remodel, though modest in size, was no exception to Citizen Design’s passion for creating beautiful and functional spaces. The 406-square-foot floating home posed unique design challenges, and the team was eager to take it on, especially for an existing client with whom they had a long-standing relationship.

The client’s vision was clear: to modernize the floating home while maintaining its charm. Once used as a storage dock and later as a studio rental, the floating home needed extensive updates to transform it into a livable and stylish summer getaway. However, with strict community rules limiting the footprint and height of the floating home, every design element had to serve multiple purposes, balancing aesthetics, functionality, and budget.

Designing Within Constraints: Creativity Meets Functionality

At the heart of the design inspiration was a bold Native American blanket cherished by the client. Its blue, white, and black patterns informed many of the design decisions, from materials to color palettes.

One of the primary goals of the remodel was to maximize the floating home’s natural light and create a sense of spaciousness within its small footprint. Larger windows were installed to open up views of the city, while a skylight was repositioned to bring sunlight deeper into the space. The rooftop deck was reimagined with built-in benches, turf for a grassy feel, and even a diving platform that doubles as a playful summertime feature.

Inside, the design focused on thoughtful simplicity. The kitchen, bathroom, and living areas were carefully organized to allow for easy movement, and storage solutions were seamlessly integrated into the limited space. Every decision reflected Citizen Design’s commitment to creating a functional and joyful environment.

PPM’s Role: Precise As-Built Plans and Revit Modeling

To bring this vision to life, Citizen Design turned to PPM for precise As-Built plans and a detailed Revit model. For a project with such tight design constraints, accuracy was paramount.

Colin Maloney, PPM’s Regional Director for the Pacific Northwest, explained, “Our client needed both 2D AutoCAD plans and a 3D Revit model. The precision of these deliverables ensured that every design detail could be mapped out effectively, especially given the floating home’s age and unique floating structure.”

Surveying on the Water: Challenges and Rewards

For Benjamin Johnson, an architectural scan surveyor at PPM, working on this floating home was both a technical challenge and a memorable experience. Using the GeoSLAM ZEB Revo RT, a mobile LiDAR scanner, he carefully captured every detail of the property. “The Revo RT allowed me to process data quickly on site,” he shared, “so I could ensure the measurements were accurate before leaving.”

Benjamin scanned the 406-square-foot floating home in just one hour. Thanks to his expertise and our cutting-edge technology, the project progressed with remarkable speed and efficiency, even wrapping up ahead of schedule.

Surveying the floating home came with unique obstacles, such as navigating narrow decks and avoiding the water. “We have to be incredibly cautious with every step we take,” Johnson noted. “With this project, that care was amplified, but the experience was worth it.”

For Johnson, the most rewarding part of the job was taking in the stunning surroundings of Seattle. “Being out on the water, enjoying the views, and working on something so unique—it’s hard to beat that,” he reflected.

Conclusion: A Floating Retreat Reimagined

This floating home remodel is a testament to what can be achieved when creativity and precision align. Citizen Design’s thoughtful approach to maximizing space and light, paired with PPM’s meticulous As-Built plans and Revit model, brought the client’s vision to life within challenging constraints.

The floating home now stands as a beacon of modern design on Seattle’s waters, ready to host summer gatherings and provide a peaceful escape. This project underscores the value of collaboration, innovation, and the ability to adapt, no matter the size or scope of the challenge. To learn more about Citizen Design and this project, head to their website at www.collaborativeco.com.