Architects: GO’C
Area: 5,500 ft² (511 m²)
Photographs: Kevin Scott
Project Team: Jon Gentry AIA, Aimée O’Carroll ARB, Ben Kruse, Yuchen Qiu
Contractor: Thomas Fragnoli
Structural Engineering: Swenson Say Fagét
Civil Engineering: Josh Welch, J Welch Engineering
Lighting Design: Niteo
City: Seattle, Washington
Country: USA

Sound House, a 5,500-square-foot (511 m²) residence designed by GO’C in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood, replaces a 1920s home on an existing plateau to maximize 360-degree views of Puget Sound and downtown. Designed for a blended family of eight, the house balances private retreats and communal spaces, integrating custom music, literature, and cooking features. A double-height living space anchors the design, connecting levels through an open vertical void with a bridge linking the children’s wing and the primary suite. The upper level features a bunkhouse-style arrangement, while the primary suite cantilevers over outdoor terraces. Extensive glazing, terraced gardens, and rooftop decks enhance the connection to the landscape, reinforcing a harmonious indoor-outdoor flow.

Sound House was inspired by both the family it was built for and the dramatic topography of its site. The home’s name—Sound House—reflects not only its stunning Puget Sound views but also the ever-present music and lively energy of the six children who call it home.
Interview with Jon Gentry and Aimée O’Carroll of GO’C

Sound House, designed by GO’C, is located in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood, a peninsula northwest of downtown that offers unobstructed views of Puget Sound and the city skyline. This 5,500-square-foot (511 m²) residence replaces a 1920s home, utilizing an existing plateau to optimize nearly 360-degree panoramic views. The design integrates reworked terraced gardens and pathways, creating a dining terrace and pool terrace that blend into the sloping terrain, reinforcing the home’s connection to the site.

The residence was designed for a blended family of eight, each member having distinct spatial needs. Brandon Ebel, a music enthusiast and record label owner, prioritized a home-wide integrated audio system and space for an extensive vinyl collection. Sarah Ebel, a New York Times best-selling author and chef, required quiet writing spaces, a library, and a large kitchen for hosting family and friends. The six children needed private rooms and a shared play and study area. The home was envisioned as a gathering space, with indoor and outdoor areas that encourage interaction. The name Sound House reflects its connection to music, family energy, and natural acoustics.

The structure consists of two main living levels, a basement opening onto the pool terrace, and a rooftop level with extensive gardens. Viewed from the upper north street, the house appears as two stacked horizontal volumes, with the lower level grounded in solid materiality and the upper level lightweight and porous. The upper portion is clad in vertical tight-knot cedar slats, forming screen walls over portions of the glazing, allowing filtered light and privacy. A wide entry hallway visually and physically connects the front and rear, opening onto the garden terraces and swimming pool. Floor-to-ceiling glazing along the main level strengthens the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

At the core of the house, a double-height living area features a wood-burning fireplace with a vertical chimney that extends upward through the space. The design transitions from public to private spaces, with large glazing elements giving way to a wood slat brise-soleil, filtering sunlight while maintaining privacy from the street. The upper-level bridge links the children’s wing and the primary suite, maintaining a sense of connection while preserving privacy for each area.

The upper level places the primary suite on the east side, oriented toward southern views, while the children’s wing occupies the west side. The children’s area is designed as a modern bunkhouse, with six compact bedrooms arranged around a sunlit central play space. A large skylight floods the area with natural light, while built-in desks and storage along the perimeter keep functional elements separate from the bedrooms, creating a more open feel. The rooftop above the garage extends this play area, providing additional outdoor space. Meanwhile, the primary suite cantilevers over the dining and pool terraces below, offering uninterrupted views of the city and Puget Sound. The suite includes a luxurious bathroom, separate dressing areas, and a private office in the northwest corner.

A suspended staircase, accessed from the upper-level bridge, leads to a spacious rooftop deck and gardens. Encased within a light monitor, the staircase channels natural daylight into the main living space. Sound House embodies an architectural balance of privacy, communal living, and integration with the surrounding landscape through a carefully curated material palette, seamless spatial transitions, and strong indoor-outdoor connection.