It's hard to know where to start with this article, part of me wants to do a photo dump and step back to let it explain itself - but much like the project depicted, some care and thought needs to accompany the visual aspect to truely get a feel for the almost spritual aspect of this cathedral-esque pergola. It almost feels as though the phrase 'pergola' provides a disjustice to what is so much more. It is a tribute to the clients personality, a tribute to architecture, a tribute to the dying art of stone masonry where each stone was chosen and and placed with care, and a tribute to the style of carpentry that once upon a time was every day practice but now takes a builder out of their comfort zone.

At the end of a derelict tennis court was a space, where the only inhabitants were the stubborn weeds forcing thier way through cracks in the asphalt. The client fell in love with a similar pergola, designed by a famous Boston Architect, and knew that those resiliant little plants had to give way for one of his own. The client came to us with that brief, and together we worked closley with architect Mariana Koy of MORF architecture to put their ideas to paper and create the masterpeice we see there now. The weeds began to bow down to their new queen at the end of the court.

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Once these Ideas were put to paper and the client could start to see their vision come to life, the next question was how? How to do we form the archways similar to that of traditional boat building? How does the stonework come to look like it has geologically risen from the ground and become covered in centuries of lichen growth?

The answers to those questions werent straight forward, but what was needed was a sense of freedom to explore creativity. As a builder this is an oportunity that now days is not likley come knockinig throughout most careers, as we are mostly bound by modern architecture with its sharp square lines and tight budgets, using only the materials monopolised by trade stores. It was an absolute honor to be given a chance to trust our creativity, skills and to break free of those bounds.

Stepping outside our comfort zone wasnt limited to the archways. It came in the form of pitching a traditional style rafter roof with ridgebeams at 60 degrees, insitu made trusses, tieing the deck in to the stonework, and creating a level entry chess court inside the deck also. The joins between components had to be seamless, as every cut with the saw and stroke of the chisel would be forever on display. The 'forest of lights' Chandeliar was something that would also remove us from the norms of carpentry, admittedly taking us 3 attempts to get perfect.

A special mention goes out to Graham Bond for not only being a phenominal stone mason, but for his eye for detail and amost spiritual connection to the project at hand. The stones were selected individually from various bespoke quarries, and were carefully handled as to not disturb the natural growth of mosses and lichens. This would proceed to give the stonework an acient feel, as if they had been there for centuries. Another HUGE creditation to Graham, was his endevour to source materials for the roof. The client was adimant they wanted an aged copper roof, with its green oxidisation to be a standout feature. What Graham managed to source far exceeded expectations, and i believe to be the greatest compliment to not only the pergola, but of historical preservation specific to the south island of New Zealand. The 'dragon scale' embosed roof tiles were saved from the Christchurch Cathedral that was devestated by the earthquakes, and cut and custom folded on site to create what is in our opinion one of the most delicate and special displays of roofing we have ever seen. Full Credit to the roofers aswell for their carftsmanship, simply stunning.

So mutch detail and care has gone into this project, right down to the painting and also the elctrical work and placement of lighting, the marble bench top sourced to cover the outdoor kitchen and the custom built furniture that acompanies the space.

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Our client wishes to remain anonymous, along with the location of the pergola. Not only are we happy to repsect their wishes, but cant help but feel it adds tremendously to the personal and spiritul conncection to such a special project, knowing that only very few will get to grace the presence of this materialised vision.

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A huge congratulations and thanks to all involved, It truely was a team effort and a project im sure we will all talk about for years to come.

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