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Pergola’s
I get a lot of questions about pergola’s, arbors and trellis’ . . . a lot. for good reason. Structure adds a lot to the designed landscape. With structure you bring order, refinement, extension of the house architecture, definition of space, etc. I would say these are good things
Plus; if done well they can look really cool, bringing mystery, romance, intrigue, solitude, craftsmanship, even nostalgia to the designed landscape.
Dimensions
So I have decided to post these dimensions for a simple arbor/pergola for those of you who are looking for some pleasing dimensions to work with. I would say this design is at the more simplistic end of the scale, but this pergola is doing it’s job-bringing scale and defining the space where it is to exist.
Doing it’s job, that’s what matters. It’s part of the place and space, not out of place.
[ I almost always use 6x6's for my post. ]
Why 6×6’s?
Using smaller dimension limber, say 4×4’s, a arbor/pergola just looks too weak, like it’s going to fall over at any minute. Especially if there are multi-layers of cross-pieces sitting on top of the pergola. 2×2’s sitting on 2×6’s sitting on 2×10 beams, that a lot of weight . . . structurally and visually.
This visual weight should be an important part of your design process, and how you hold up(post, columns, pillars, etc.) that visual weight means the difference between a successful design, and a not-so-successful design.
These dimensions are for a project where the post sit on top of a seat wall and the entire pergola anchors the end of a patio space. By sitting and anchoring the seat wall the pergola helps define the space.
How? With the vertical and the overhead elements(the pergola) anchoring the end of the patio, it brings a sense of enclosure to the area. Along with the ground floor of the patio.
Remember this drawing?
This was the initial concept drawing that was shown to the clients where we got the approval to proceed with the project. This rendering showed the relationship between patio, fireplace, seat wall, and pergola.
That rendering is where I tried to show how the pergola will look in the new landscape. How all the pieces fit together,.
If everyone approves-the green light is given. Then-we get to business with the numbers for the dimensional lumber. That’s where the sketchbook drawing comes into play.
The contractor will not take the dimensions, and my lumber take-off and come up with a final price for the clients.
Daydreamin’ today about the good ole days of Summer.
[Just how big did those "Ears" get?]
Anybody else ready to look at some green? Plus they all are coming from the South so these events are 1/3 rain, 1/3 sleet, and 1/3 ice, and 1/3 snow . . . I know, I know . . . that’s 4/3rd’s.
Hey it’s my Blog.
Steps
Top it off, I am now in the middle of a creative funk with a set of steps I am designing. Should they or should they not have some seat walls attached?(mostly I think not)
However, since I am not sure they are needed at that very spot, others will think they may be needed at that spot(watch and see).
Ahhhh heck, I gotta make up my mind by tomorrow.
Stay tuned, for the classic case of steps and seats, or is that seats and steps?
Sandstone and Granite pavers stacked at a salvage yard.
Great Stuff
[Granite in the foreground, some old foundation stone in back.]
Here’s another look at the yard. There’s some great stuff here, and some not-so great stuff here. Do you know which is which?
[Looking for a home.]
Here’s another look at a possible fireplace for these homeowners.
[A more interesting storage area for firewood.]
I also took a very un-symmetrical look at the sides and a random edge on the right . . . more of a unpolished, rugged look. I want to get away from all that pretty symmetry of the “lick-n-stick” fireplaces being built these days.
The other two posts show earlier sketches(and here) for this project. The homeowner has seen these(as of yesterday) and likes the above concept the best.
So far.
In keeping with the previous post, here is another attempt at a fireplace for this backyard.
[Another look at a possible solution for this woodsy backyard. ]
I’m not done cranking out sketches for this fireplace. I have a meeting with the client in a day or so. We’ll see how close I’m getting to their dream of a “fireplace-centric” back yard.
I am in the middle of a project where the main focus of the backyard will be a large fireplace that we hope to have anchor one end of the patio.
The fireplace will anchor the end of the patio, and serve as the main gathering space for those on the patio, also becoming the main visual focus from the above/adjoining deck.
Wait there’s more. The fireplace will also anchor a rock outcropping . . . or become part of the rock outcropping. Hmm; to anchor, or to become part of ? . . . that is the question.
[ Something this large will be the focal.]
How will all the other elements play off of the fireplace? As this design evolves we’ll figure it out. One thing I see right away . . . the patio would look great as large slabs of stone as opposed to pavers-that’s what my gut is telling me right now.
Back in March of last year I wrote a long post about Carl Linnaeus, Horologium flore, and the Flower Clock. I wrote something to the effect of how cool and idea it was and that I was not that thrilled with the idea of pulling this off on a practical basis.
Let alone an impractical one.
[At this site and many other sites on the web.]
Well it seems Joel Lerner is more gun-ho on the idea. Joel has published a very fine article in the Washington Post on the Horologium flore from Feb 9th of this year. The best thing about his article is a very detailed and long plant list.
Joel has even added times when plants tend to open.
He seems more practical about the idea and comes at it from a “let’s do this today“, as opposed to my, “hey look at what these wacky guys were thinking about“. Kind of thing.
Unrelated
Another great clock from the Kirchler Society blog
[Kircher's Sunflower Clock.]
Something Else
On a really unrelated not here’s a link to another really weird/cool site with a look at interesting graphics, video’s and art-related stuff called a Near Life Experience, it’s worth a look . . . . if you know what I mean.
A Design Question?
Even though I don’t get much comment when it comes to questions, I tend to get e-mail.
Here’s one for the comment section. Has anyone ever asked for a Horologium flore?
So did I get to the 8 O’clock session? I will never tell.
I want to do a longer post on Steve Farber, author of Radical Leap, for now let me drop a few lines on you from his Conference ending keynote speech.
On audacious leaders, and how they think:
“Not outside the box, but . . . what box?”
On leadership:
“The moment you step into a leadership role, people watch everything you do. The they see if you follow everything you say you’re going to do.”
Finally:
OS!M
It was a very good way to end the conference. Lots of great energy going out the door.
A line I heard earlier that morning.
“What ever you do keep it pretty.”
The Clinic has another great year, the only thing keeping it from being awesome was the fact that I was not on the speaker list . . . . ha! Well maybe next year the programming committee will come back to their senses. Are you guys reading this?
Mark your Calendars now Feb. 6th thru the 9th, 2009.
A long day, a very long day, for an old guy like me it wa too long of a day. It’ll be interesting to see if I make the 8:00am session.
As I think about it . . . . I doubt it, I will do the best I can.
Today’s best line . . .
“If you’re happy will you please tell your face.”
So tonight the annual network roundtables were held, and I decided to sit at the BLOG roundtable. Being there 1st and writing this blog made me the de-facto moderator.
There’s a laugh.
What really had me rolling was a question I was asked 4 or 5 time, and in one 5 minute stretch I was asked 3 times;
How do I find a Blog?
or;
How do we find a blog?
I mean; wow, are you kidding me . . . . how do you find a blog? I didn’t know they were lost, or had left the room, or they were all(5or 6 million of them*) hiding under a bed, That’s some good stuff.
I was asked several other questions, the usual stuff like.
- How many hours a week does it take?
- Do you make any money off your blog?
- Is it work?
- Is it worth it?
- I don’t like computers, can I do a Blog?
- Where do I put my blog?
- I’m not a good writer, can I write a blog?
- I don’t like computers, can I write a blog?
- I don’t have any time, can I write a blog?
- And of course . . . the #1 question . . . What’s a Blog?
By now you have figure out that I convinced more people not to write a blog, than to write a blog.
Upon reflection-I don’t think I convinced anyone to start posting . . . maybe checking a few out including this one. But if you’re one of those and you are now reading this . . .
You probably wanna blog me over the head.
Great energy at the clinic yesterday as usual right up to the end at the Muggets get-together.
There was a lot of good stuff yesterday including the Landscape Swap-Shop where a lot of the discussion centered on sustainability issues; making topsoils, compost, grinding yard waste-and in general keeping stuff out of the dump, and saving money to boot.
Joel Zeff was a big hit for the second year in a row, with his Saturday night improv show. Jeff has a real talent for taking folks with no talent and making us look/sound funny-mostly making us look funny.
My line of the day comes from Carr Hagerman on trying to find someone to put a Watershape/pond/waterfall on his property;
“I don’t want to see your tape measure, or hear about you taking pictures . . . get me excited, fire me up, make a connection.”
Well it’s in full swing now. Everyone is hear the events have started, na dthe 1st lunch has been eaten.
Last night’s opening reception was a good one as usual, catching up with old friends, and accquaintances. Seeing former attendes from past WCI events-including the 1st Philosophy of Design Symposium(PoD), and making a few new friends.
A new thing at the clinic this year is small networking receptions held by the sponsors, called Hospitality Receptions. I spent most of my time at the Garden Media Group reception . . . Susan McCoy knows how to throw a good party-some of the finest beverages that Kentucky has to offer.
As I understand it, the Bailey Nurseries party was slammed full all evening, shoulder to shoulder. I never made it that far.
This AM the opening keynote was byMick “yo-yo man” Lunzer , and Carr Hagerman. These guys had a innovative approach to looking customer service/sales . . . through the eyes of what they’ve learned as street performers plus throwing in the “human approach” to the work. Interesting stuff including a line that stuck with me;
Celebrate human roughness.
Another that I thought was great;
An idiot with a commitment is dangerous.
And finally;
Fear is the #1 killer of employee engagement.
Good way to start the conference.
My hope is to use this site to spread some info about the art and practice of Landscape Design. It is a very misunderstood profession; I do not cut grass like the next door neighbor's cousin who carries 3 mowers and a blower in the back of his truck.
I will also pass along comments on industry happenings, events, etc., and any maybe a few other adventures going on in my world-after all this is "my" blog. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Questions? Drop me an e-mail.
rick (at) whisperingcraneinstitute (dot) com
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