Take a Tour of Some of Seattle’s Prettiest Modern Homes
Snoop around other people's houses, in a socially acceptable way, on Saturday's self-guided Modern Home Tour
By Chelsea Lin April 24, 2018
If you’re the sort who spends your free time attending neighborhood open houses with no intention of buying, well, have we got the event for you: On Saturday, April 28, Modern Architecture + Design Society is hosting a self-guided Modern Home Tour here in the Seattle area, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $40.
Seven homes, in locations from White Center to Redmond, will be open for viewing, including architect Pietro Potesta’s Ballard home. Potesta, who runs ALCOVA Architecture out of his light-filled home office, gave us a sneak peak last week. It’s a stunning house: Built in 2015, with an open floor plan and the kind of incredibly thoughtful details you’d expect to see in an architect’s home, it’s a modern house that feels warm and inviting.
Potesta bought the Ballard lot in 2013, with the intent to tear down and put up his own design. With new construction, he says, you can take advantage of advancements in sustainability and technology—this 3,300-square-foot house, he says is far cheaper when it comes to utilities than the previous one, though it’s significantly bigger.
Tall ceilings and large windows allow for ample light, even on the greyest Seattle days. And the backyard features a mega trampoline, a fire pit, a carport and patio with seating for six. All of this on a 3,800-square-foot lot. “You really have to play with inches when you have such a small lot,” Potesta says.
Whether new construction or remodel, modern homes regularly deal with criticism that they’re cold and boxy. Having the opportunity to scope out the interiors changes that, though—there’s a reason this is such a popular style in Seattle, and it’s largely due to the use of natural light.
Get your tickets here and keep an eye on your inbox—a map will be sent prior to the event.