The Barn on Portage Bay | Waterfront Remodel Seattle

portage-bay-waterfront-home-remodel-shoreline-architecture-ecco — “The Barn” on Portage Bay

“The Barn” on Portage Bay transformed a small, non-conforming shoreline residence into a modern home shaped entirely by the complexities of its waterfront site. The property sat within a designated shoreline critical area, which imposed strict height limits, view protections, and environmental requirements. Our clients needed a design solution that complied with all regulations while still opening the home to Portage Bay and the adjacent floating-home community.

We reconfigured the structure to lift the primary living spaces to the upper floor, allowing clear views over the new floating homes in the neighboring moorage. At the same time, we preserved important sightlines to the upland residence behind the property. This required careful control of rooflines, massing, and materials to ensure harmony with both the shoreline environment and the surrounding homes.

Throughout the project, we focused on precise detailing, including custom window assemblies, exposed structural steel, clean modern siding, and a partial green roof that helped the home settle into its tight waterfront setting. The result was a contemporary residence that met every shoreline requirement while offering the owners light, openness, and a strong visual connection to the bay.

Project team

Architect - Ecco Architecture & Design
Structural - Swenson Say Fagé t
Contractor - Brightworks Builders
Photography - Ecco and Elevato

Modern multi-story house with large glass windows and a spacious outdoor deck, located on a hillside with lush greenery and neighboring homes.

Modern living room with gray sofa, black and white geometric rug, wooden chairs with cushions, floor-to-ceiling glass doors showing green trees, white walls, and built-in wooden shelving.

Modern kitchen with large windows overlooking a city and water, featuring a central island with a sink and bowl of fruit, a dining table with chairs, and beige cabinets.

Modern living room with large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a marina with boats and buildings, featuring a gray sofa with colorful pillows, a glass coffee table, two wooden chairs with circular patterned pillows, and a kitchen with brown cabin

Modern open-concept kitchen and dining area with wooden flooring, natural light from large windows, and minimalist furniture.

Rooftop patio with a wooden table, six chairs, and small potted plants overlooking a waterway with boats and neighboring houses under a blue sky.

Modern house exterior with an outdoor patio featuring a wooden dining table with six chairs and decorative lanterns. Large glass doors lead to the interior, and there are trees and a parking lot in the background.

Modern bathroom with white walls, a vanity with a white countertop, a mirror with built-in lighting, a small window, a toilet, and a bathtub with a glass shower door and light blue tiled wall.

A modern bathroom with a large mirror above a double vanity with towel rolls, a plant, and a vessel soap dispenser. A glass-enclosed shower is visible in the reflection.

Modern bathroom with a large mirror, a potted plant, a candle, folded towels, a woven basket, and a small soap container on the countertop.

Interior of a modern house showing a staircase with black railings and wooden steps, large window with a view of greenery outside, and a white door.

Modern bedroom with a large window overlooking a canal with boats, a queen bed with a wooden headboard, two nightstands with lamps, and a patterned area rug.

Modern two-story building with wood exterior and large glass windows, a driveway underneath a cantilevered section, surrounded by greenery and a clear blue sky.

A modern two-story house with large glass windows and a rooftop deck. The house has wooden exterior siding, and there is a landscaped front yard with various plants, trees, and a garden bed. The backyard features a patio with outdoor seating and a sm

Close-up of a ceiling-mounted industrial light fixture with four white adjustable arms extending outward.

Close-up of a modern house exterior with a large glass window and a metallic awning, set against a wooden wall on a sunny day with a partly cloudy sky.

Modern house with large glass windows and a balcony, surrounded by a garden with various plants, and a white wooden fence in a sunny outdoor setting.

Modern house with wooden exterior, large glass balcony doors, and a small porch beneath. A black car is parked in the driveway, and a fence surrounds the property.