New Period Style Garden Building for Disguised Telescope Storage (just the odd finishing touch to add)

[newbostonian]

A few months ago I mentioned on this site the period style garden building (summerhouse/gazebo/arbour seat) that I was planning to make as disguised storage in my garden  for my new Bresser Messier 12" Dobsonian Reflector which was arriving at the end of October. It's a shame it can't be an observatory (various reasons) but the best observing position in the garden (2nd largest expanse of sky, fewsst overhanging streetlights) is just a short roll out away on the new path, the pavers for which I cast during last year and this.

I ordered all structural timber, decorative iron and other supplies in August and started building in Septmber. We had so many extended periods of heavy rain and gales during September and October that I had to build, prime and paint most of it to completion in panels/kit form in the garage. We've had more gales, minus temperatures/snow followed immediately by monsoon levels of rain in November, so it's all been slower than it should have been and I still have the decorative iron balustrade panels/rails to make and add plus a few minor finishing touches BUT it's almost there and I promised to show the results! I delayed the 'scope's arrival to be sure of having the telescope house weatherproof and secure in time and the snow started the day after it arrived so I've hardly seen it yet and I can't yet put it together and use it as I'm waiting for some strong drilled angle iron to connect the rocker box panels instead of the flimsy cam studs which mostly sheared in half the first time I turned them to lock in place. My 'off road' casters with brakes are on the underside of the turntable base and the pull/push handles on the rocker box. I reckon next week, weather permitting, the OTA might be on the mount!

Edited November 28 by newbostonian
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[Mr H in Yorkshire]

That deserves a Porter sundial telescope to match.

[newbostonian]

Thank you Mr.H!

[saac]

Oh that is lovely, well done. I really like the addition of the garden mirrors and the colour suits your setting. Love it.  

Jim 

[newbostonian]

18 minutes ago, saac said:

Oh that is lovely, well done. I really like the addition of the garden mirrors and the colour suits your setting. Love it.  

Jim 

Oh thank you Jim! The mirrors are supposed to make it look like it's partially open and not an inviting storage building to break into! Likewise the seat on the road facing side is meant to divert attention.

[saac]

1 minute ago, newbostonian said:

Oh thank you Jim! The mirrors are supposed to make it look like it's partially open and not an inviting storage building to break into! Likewise the seat on the road facing side is meant to divert attention.

I really do think it is a great solution and your execution in the build quality is commendable. I already have an octagonal summerhouse as my observatory but I'm in similar need for somewhere to store a large dob. I went for the octagonal summerhouse for the same reason, to make it unobtrusive in a smaller garden. But I must say your finishing touches, the mirror, decorative iron work and the integration of the seat, really make yours a very functional and attractive building. I think most would be hard pressed to think it is storing anything on first glance with the seat and solid wall opposite. You have definitely given me some inspiration for what can be done. 

Jim 

[newbostonian]

19 minutes ago, saac said:

I really do think it is a great solution and your execution in the build quality is commendable. I already have an octagonal summerhouse as my observatory but I'm in similar need for somewhere to store a large dob. I went for the octagonal summerhouse for the same reason, to make it unobtrusive in a smaller garden. But I must say your finishing touches, the mirror, decorative iron work and the integration of the seat, really make yours a very functional and attractive building. I think most would be hard pressed to think it is storing anything on first glance with the seat and solid wall opposite. You have definitely given me some inspiration for what can be done. 

Jim 

That's so kind, Jim. Ah, we think alike then! Initially I hoped to have a small unobtrusive observatory, but the two spots in the garden with the largest expanse of sky are not only rather too lit by streetlights, the very best (but way too lit) spot is very visible from the main road right in the middle of the garden and I was sure it would just attract vandalism/break-ins! It would also have blocked the view through the garden and although I planned to use industrial telescopic drawer runners for opening the roof, with an octagonal roof I would have needed more than 200% extension for it to clear the building walls completely when open and they're not manufactured to more than 150% extension. I didn't want supports and pergola type arrangements to take the run-off roof (I've got enough of them elsewhere!). Resorting to just storing the 'scope in a building and rolling it out just a few feet for observing (hence the continuous paving) was a revelation as I could utilise a spot formerly occupied only by a double depth metal arch that's partly under tree canopy and almost invisible from the road unless someone climbed my 6ft side fence. I've made it so that it can still be walked/barrowed through for gardening purposes when the front and back doors are both open. I'd be really interested to see your observatory and to hear how you solved the problem of an octagonal roof clearing the building walls completely! I'm guessing a cunning plan of sorts!

Take care,

Ruth

[skyhog]

That is very nice, as mentioned perfect for the setting. Well done indeed. And happy observing...👍

[newbostonian]

9 hours ago, skyhog said:

That is very nice, as mentioned perfect for the setting. Well done indeed. And happy observing...👍

Thank you skyhog!

[Alan White]

A very fine building you have constructed.
 👍👍 a double thumbs up from me.
 

[lukebl]

That’s a beaut!

[newbostonian]

21 hours ago, lukebl said:

That’s a beaut!

Thank you Luke. Very kind.

[newbostonian]

On 29/11/2024 at 20:35, Alan White said:

A very fine building you have constructed.
 👍👍 a double thumbs up from me.
 

Thank you Alan!