North to Alaska

Building Character : Episode BDC-111 -- More Projects »
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A waterfront location is one thing, but Liz Perry and John Havrilek actually live right on the water in a former net shed built on pilings. Located in the Alaskan fishing village of Petersburg, the couple has the perfect spot to watch freighters ply the Wrangell Narrows on their way to and from the Pacific Ocean.

The shed was used by fishermen, who pulled up their boats to dry and store their thousand pound nets. While most people would hardly consider the 1920s building a place to call home, Perry and Havrilek have turned the 1800-square-foot wooden building into a cozy home. The couple has made some sacrifices, such as having no yard and living in a home that sometimes moves when boat traffic is heavy. But falling asleep to the Northern Lights and waking up to magnificent waterfront views makes up for it all.