Greenlake Urban

Location: Greenlake neighborhood of Seattle, Washington

Design Goals: The owners of this recently purchased property plan to downsize and transform the existing structure into their long-term home. Originally built as a commercial storefront and later converted into a duplex, the building is now being reimagined as a single-family residence with a full renovation of both floors. A new stair addition will serve as the vertical connection between levels, unifying the home’s layout and improving circulation. The existing non-conforming detached garage will be replaced and integrated into the design through a newly constructed bridge that connects the main house to a covered outdoor living space atop the new garage—creating a unique elevated retreat.

Style: Pacific Northwest Contemporary

Design Challenges + Site Constraints: The existing structure is non-conforming under current City of Seattle zoning standards, including a portion of the structure situated over the property line. As a result, the remodel and addition required careful and strategic design approach to meet strict code requirements while maximizing livable space and functionality. Creative problem-solving was the key to preserving the existing non-conformities while enhancing the home for long-term use.

Team:
+ Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design
+ Builder: Northlight Custom Builders