The capitals of the columns are 16" square. To completely cover the capitals so birds don't build nests on the ledge that would otherwise be created, the 6 x 12 beams on the lower level are tripled over the capitals. This is done by cladding symmetrically carved stub-beams to each side of the major beams.

Because these major beams are 6 x 12's, they have sufficient load capacity to have a chord safely removed from their centers: similar in principle to the bridge that spans a canyon being supported by a single arch from below. Here, the mass of the chord is just dead weight and provides no additional support -- so it has been removed. This detail forms an arch on the beam's underside and adds character to the arbor's interior.

The canopy's weight was a factor to be reckoned with. So hollow PVC plastic 3 x 3 tubing with capped ends was used for the lath. These had sufficient strength to span 6 feet without support so only a mid-span beam running the length of the canopy was necessary. To minimize the weight of this suspended beam, it was made only 8 inches thick. In keeping with the 6-inch width of  the outer longitudinal beams, a 6 x 8 was used.

These longitudinal beams, spanning the length of the arbor on the upper level, have a total run of 30 feet - much too long for a single continuous beam. So two beam segments had to be spliced together. This is readily done over the columns, but takes some special attention to detail to make a splice over the thinly-supported span at the arbor's midpoint. Here a special heavy-duty, double-size bracket is clad to both sides of the spliced beam to minimize any sag from the splice itself.

Most difficult to fabricate was the skirting configuration below the beams around the perimeter. Here a laminated arc with a tight radius of 3 feet had to be integrated into a balustered valence. This then had to be fitted between tapered columns with minor but significant distances between them. There were many devils in this detail. But day or night, each arc provides an angelic effect: it forms a halo for the lantern hanging from its zenith.

Here's another bedeviled detail: If the only lighting came from the lanterns hung in the arcs around the perimeter, then anyone standing in the interior at night would see himself surrounded by six radial shadows. So yet another lamp was necessary in the center to mitigate this phenomenon.

Now having exorcised all these demons by paying attention to the multitude of details, we can only conclude that if this structure is still possessed, it could only be by angels! Hence its name: "Loft of Angels."

I often get inquiries about reproducing this arbor. Based on that it would appear to be a very popular stand-alone shade structure. But everyone wants it fabricated with different dimensions. It is a classic arbor and any change in dimensions will only serve to diminish the perfect balance among all its elements. It will not be widened, elongated, heightened, diminished in scale or attached to the walls of any dwelling.