We have worked with the folks over at the American Heritage Museum or awhile now and it was fun to get back over to replace a pergola they had. The trick was preserving the wisteria trunks that had grown into the previous one. The install went smoothly and I am sure this will be surrounded by beautiful growth next season.
The pergola was crafted out of Douglas Fir for a few reasons. It has great strength properties to keep the purlins from sagging under potential snow load, it has some resistance to rot and decay and it’s a little lower cost than most of the cedar options. This structure is a simplified version of what existed in its place prior, but we kept the twin carrying beams that are fastened with galvanized hardware as a homage to its predecessor.
Per usual we sat our posts on top of chamfered granite piers in order to keep the material at least 12” above grade. This is a detail we have grown to love over the years. It gives lots of flexibility for the quality of the concrete pier and ensures all visible elements are clean and elegant.
Though technically a commercial project, the space feels very intimate and inviting. This pergola will allow visitors to sit in a beautiful garden while overlooking some gorgeous scenery in Stow, Massachusetts.
This beautifully crafted Douglas Fir pergola blends commercial durability with an intimate garden feel.
