Spacious timber frame octagon pavilion with graceful archways

Rob and Noreen MacGregor – May 2007

Rob and Noreen MacGregor had heard about the Wise Owl Joinery Co. through a friend of theirs, so they decided to investigate our shop.  They have a beautiful large lot, and like to entertain in the summer months.  They wanted an octagon 17’ across. 

building the octagon in our shopcomealongs tie posts and beams togetherRichardPost showing pockets for fasteners


To add some flair and lighten up the appearance of the structure, we created octagonal posts up to just below the headers. A graceful curve was added to create the archways. The pendant at the top had to be cut just right for the 8 hips to join into their pockets. The white stain complemented the white trim on the existing house.

The clients wanted to keep the posts as low to the ground as possible and not have any hardware showing. We created pockets about 8” high from the bottoms of posts where threaded rods were epoxied to the concrete piers. A large washer and nut was the fastener. Thin white covers hide the pockets.

The timber frame pavilion is a jewel that enhances the houseLooking up at pavilliontop of pavillion


Note that the 8 posts were of Hemlock for rot resistance, and the bottoms were treated with Borecol.

Inside the octagon pavilionPosts and beams

See the design for the Octagon pavilion.



Update 2008: Timber pergola added to octagon pavilion

Pergola and pavilionpost and beam gazeboWise Owl Joinery carried on the same theme for the pergola. The posts themselves were 8-sided, which gave them a distinctive look.

A nice timber grid above with scalloped end details provides an interesting space with partial shade.

The new arbourSeasoned hemlock was again chosen for longevity. The bottoms of the posts were anchored with threaded rod, nut and washer. Access pockets were made and covered with a plate, and are easy to get at if necessary.

gazeboThere are plans for one more wing.

 

You can see the design for the Pergola here.