Seattle-based Coates Design Architects recently completed a distinctive residence for a professional musician who requested a home where the sound of her baby grand piano could resonate clearly throughout the interior. The firm—providing architecture, programming and planning, interior design, and sustainability services—worked closely with the client to translate that aspiration into a livable, expressive design that reflects her artistic identity while meeting practical needs.
Built With Shipping Containers
The client was drawn to the aesthetic and industrial character of shipping container construction. Early in the design process Coates Design explored ways to use containers intact, taking advantage of their inherent structural strength and modular nature. After careful evaluation and cost comparisons, the project team found that combining the container concept with traditional wood framing offered the most viable path. This strategy preserved the container-inspired appearance while delivering greater flexibility for interior volumes, insulation, and building systems.
To achieve the visual language of stacked containers while accommodating acoustic and spatial goals, the design modestly widened some of the container stacks. The exterior treatment emphasizes industrial character—corrugated metal cladding and robust junctions—yet the interiors open up into comfortable, light-filled spaces. The exterior metal is intended to patina naturally over time, developing rust and texture as it weathers, which reinforces the building’s crafted, lived-in quality.
Acoustics Were Key
Acoustics drove many of the design decisions. The client’s desire for a home where piano music could carry and be enjoyed throughout the house required careful attention to volume, ceiling height, and the balance of reflective and absorptive surfaces. Rather than relying on heavy, closed-off rooms, the design favors connected spaces and generous ceiling heights that allow sound to travel. Material choices and interior geometry were coordinated to support pleasant resonance without creating excessive echoes or unwanted reverberation.
The result is a home that balances the raw, industrial exterior with interiors tuned for musical performance and daily living. Careful placement of openings and interior partitions helps channel sound while preserving privacy in sleeping and working areas.
Metal, Wood, And Glass
Material contrast plays an important role in the house’s character. Tall, exposed wood ceilings and natural wood trim introduce warmth, soften acoustics, and complement the industrial steel and corrugated metal exterior. These wood elements create inviting volumes for listening and gathering. Strategic glazing and thoughtful placement of windows bring daylight deep into the home, enlivening surfaces and creating visual connections between rooms and the surrounding landscape.
Accent colors and curated finishes introduce personality throughout the home, reflecting the client’s background as a teacher and performer. These brighter touches—used sparingly on walls, cabinetry, and select furnishings—help define social zones and support a lively, creative atmosphere.
A Room For Baby (Grand Piano)
A specially considered space has been prepared to receive the client’s baby grand piano. The layout and proportions of that room were developed to let the instrument’s sound fill adjacent spaces while maintaining comfortable acoustics for everyday use. The piano’s forthcoming placement will complete the home’s function as both a residence and a small performance environment where music can be shared with family and students.
The project demonstrates how an evocative industrial aesthetic can be combined with practical construction methods and thoughtful acoustic planning to meet a client’s artistic requirements. Once the piano is moved in and the interior furnishings are finalized, updated photographs will illustrate how the spaces are activated by music and daily life. The finished house stands as a tailored, expressive environment—where design, sound, and lived experience come together.
