Carriage House and Pergola

Originally designed by architect Charles A. Platt in 1909, this historic Seattle carriage house and pergola have been meticulously restored to their original beauty through extensive structural and aesthetic rehabilitation. The project required all-new structural steel and concrete and careful refinishing of the existing columns and stucco façade.

A key feature of the restoration was the integration of Muschel, a 1.5-ton sculpture by Katharina Fritsch. To accommodate this oversized artwork, the roof was removed and reconstructed, allowing for an opening through which the sculpture was carefully lifted and threaded over scaffolding and tenting by Artech Seattle. The Dowbuilt Shop crafted a custom mounting system using a CNC template from the sculpture’s base, ensuring a precise and secure installation on the pergola floor.

This restoration honors the property’s historic character while preserving its legacy for future generations. The original garden, designed by renowned landscape architect Ellen Shipman (c. 1915), remains an integral part of the estate’s design. The project is featured in architect Stephen Sullivan’s book, Architecture as Art, and can be experienced firsthand through the Seattle Architecture Foundation’s walking tours.