Gazebo(Ish) Build
The overall concept was inspired by a trip to Butchart Gardens in Victoria, and a very nice structure we found in the Japanese garden. I didn't really do much detailed planning, just kinda went with it. Overall I'm quite happy with it! It was actually a bit nice that I could be a bit lax on the neatness of my joints, etc, due to the design aesthetic I was aiming for.
Roughing out the size with some 2x4's
Finally settled on this location/angle
Figuring out placement of pier blocks
And the digging begins
4 corners! Had to create a "tenon" if you really wanna call it that, on the posts to make them fit in the brackets on the pier blocks
Using 2x4's to keep things square
Placing pier blocks for the entryway
Entry way and lower beams in place
Cross-bracing with angled half lap joints. After this point the whole thing became solid as a rock
Mocking up the roof structure
Skip ahead a few steps and the roof cladding is on
Finally got around to finishing the roof. First layer of felt to go under the Cedar shakes
First row of shakes plus felt interlay
Doubling up the first row
Solid progress on the back side. I went with a 7' exposure to save some time and money. Technically should've been more like 5" but it's not like it's the roof of my house
All done! At some point I'll probably put a ridge cap on
Threw in a paper lantern to fit the aesthetic
Final product
Not as good of a view, but you can actually see the lantern
Nice work!