What areas does Blue Sound Construction serve?

Blue Sound Construction serves Seattle and the greater Puget Sound area, including Shoreline, Bellevue, Kirkland, West Seattle, Capitol Hill, Edmonds, Mukilteo, Lake Forest Park, Woodinville, Medina, and Clyde Hill.

What types of remodeling does Blue Sound Construction specialize in?

Blue Sound Construction specializes in whole home remodeling, historic home restoration, home additions (including second-story additions), house lifting, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, and exterior envelope repairs throughout the Seattle area.

How long has Blue Sound Construction been in business?

Blue Sound Construction was founded in 2006 by husband-and-wife team Ben and Courtenay Gebhardt. With over 20 years of combined experience and 100+ years of collective craftsmanship across their team, they continue the Gebhardt family's 60-year legacy of building in the Seattle area.

Does Blue Sound Construction handle historic home renovations?

Yes. Historic home restoration is one of Blue Sound Construction's award-winning specialties. They preserve the architectural integrity and character of Seattle's historic homes — including Tudors, Craftsmans, and Dutch Colonials — while integrating modern comfort and systems.

What is house lifting and does Blue Sound Construction do it in Seattle?

House lifting is the process of raising an existing home off its foundation to create new basement space or increase clearance, without expanding the home's footprint — ideal for Seattle's urban lots. Blue Sound Construction specializes in complex house lifting projects throughout Seattle.

How do I get a remodeling estimate from Blue Sound Construction?

The process starts with a free phone consultation to discuss your goals and needs. Blue Sound Construction then schedules an onsite meeting, followed by an initial cost estimate reviewed via video call. You can reach them at 206-854-6042 or inquiry@bluesoundconstruction.com.

lAKE uNION fLOATING hOME rEMODEL

aN aRTSY sTUDY IN sPACIAL tRANSCENDENCE- “Tui Tui of the Joyous Lake”

The artisans who inhabit this home dubbed it “The Sovereign Nation of Tui Tui” and are the torchbearers’ of Seattle Floating Homes community’s original Bohemian vibe (and in many ways its continued existence… read on). So it was a true honor to remodel this special home, one that seems to transcend space & time, and truly takes you on a watery journey of spiritual proportions.

At its core the project was to alter the central bathroom— “The Water Kiva,” a room in the shape of a polgon. We added a freestanding tub, a shower with custom made copper and lumicor panels (which include washers, a symbolic currency, “tuits” in their nation), and a central dome above the “I Ching” wooden floor carving. (The shimmery iridescent wall tile was handmade by the homeowner.) We think it all reads like some underwater fantasy world out of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo movie.

In the solarium at the front of the home, we rebuilt the southern portion that had endured significant rot, installed all new skylights, windows (including a very appropriately reused porthole window!), new copper roof, new lumicor in the front door, new back door, built a new bar, and site built cabinetry for the laundry area.

Elsewhere, we replaced windows that had endured similar conditions, all while carefully numbering the handmade tile for (eventual— when he gets “tuit”) homeowner reinstall.

All of this was very fun work for our carpenters, who wore lifejackets (progress photos below). In general, however, much of the magic was pre-existing due to the very thoughtful homeowners, Dogfish and Dragonfly, whose storied presence is in of itself a landmark of the Seattle area (not to mention their contribution to floating homes’ very existence) and absolutely worthy of this wonderful article by KUOW.

Design by Dave Dykstra

Overhead photos by Elevato Visuals and SeattleAfloat.com

Interior photos by Miranda Estes.

Winner of the People’s Choice Award at the SEAPEX 2022..