A dark exterior contrasts with light-toned finishes inside a compact, floating home in Washington designed by Studio DIAA co-founder Suzanne Stefan as her own home.

The Portage Bay Float Home serves as the personal residence of Stefan, who co-founded Studio DIAA in 2019. The project recently won a 2021 Housing Award from the American Institute of Architects.
The Portage Bay Float Home is in Seattle
Following a long tradition of floating homes in Seattle, the dwelling is located on the north end of Lake Union, in a spot called Portage Bay.
It was built on top of a log-float foundation dating to the early 1900s. The home sits close to the shore and has access to a garden.
Exterior walls are clad in dark cedar
Square in plan, the home consists of a single level that totals 650 square feet (60 square metres). The building is topped with a pitched roof that flattens out as it extends over a deck. Exterior walls are clad in dark cedar and Richlite, a composite material made of resin-infused paper. Sliding doors help erase the boundary between inside and out.
A light fixture above the kitchen island is made of concrete
Inside, the home is divided into two zones. One side encompasses the shared spaces  ? an open kitchen and dining area, which is separated from a living room by a retractable sheer curtain.
The other side contains two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Glass doors are found in all rooms, except for the bathroom, and provide direct access to a wraparound deck. In the living...