Spacious timber frame octagon pavillion with graceful archways

Rob and Noreen MacGregor – May 2007

Update 2008 below

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. 

As the design evolved, we incorporated eight arched headers below the plates.  The clients’ main goal was 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 hid the pockets. 

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. 

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

Update 2008: Timber arbour added to octagon pavillion

Wise Owl Joinery carried on the same theme for the arbour. The posts themselves were 8-sided, which gave them a distinctive look. The top members were cantilevered out with sweeping curves for a graceful feeling and to provide shade.

Seasoned hemlock was 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.

There are plans for one more wing.