Frank did it Wright

I guess it started with a piece of stained glass I purchased many years ago.  The symmetrical lines and craftsman style spoke to me.  Later I became more of a fan and purchased books, designs, and even visited many of the buildings Frank Lloyd Wright had designed.  He must have had some kind of mind.

In this gate series I took inspiration from the basic designs he used in the Robie house in Chicago.  The design turns out to be infinitely flexible and can be proportioned and laid out in a wide variety of shapes and orientations.

I’ve given this gate series some of my own touches, but the core is a tribute to my favorite architectural designer.

Each gate weighs in at around 100 pounds.  There are nearly 100 individual pieces, each precision cut at both ends.  Lots of cutting, lots of welding, and lots and lots of grinding. The gates swing on ball bearing hinges which add another 10 or so pounds.  The posts I chose are obviously massive.  6’6″ tall  12″ X 12″ solid wood posts.  Each of these guys weighs over 100 pounds too.  Since I’m not a fan of planting wood into the ground, I excavated about 3′ deep and poured a steel reinforced concrete base.  Mounted on each base is a set of three steel brackets that hold the posts just above ground level. I’m guessing the installation will last through the next ice age, but it’s my tendency to over-engineer things.

I want the posts to naturally weather, but am mindful that if they soak enough weather, even these beasts will warp. Therefore I added steel hat’s that should keep the end grain from soaking up rain and snowfall.  To add just a bit more flare, I’ve cut out two different but complimentary patterns to apply to the inside and outside.  Finally, the latch system is a standard agricultural system that allows the gate to be opened from either side, and swing in either direction. Further, a good shove closes it with authority.

The powder coating is a beautiful finish, especially the fire engine red one, which will accent a planned Japanese style garden.

The gate let’s plenty of light and view through, but controlled openings and accenting expanded metal pieces ensure pets and other small animals won’t get through.