Outdoor Kitchen & Pool Pump House

[steve45]

We have wanted to remodel & expand our patio for years, and last summer we finally had enough money to do it. Problem was we would have to move the pump &
filter system for our swimming pool. What to do? My plan was to build a small storage building and put the pool equipment in there, along with our lawn equipment.
My wife decided that she wanted an outdoor kitchen (we remodelled out indoor kitchen about 5 years ago). I suggested that we install a drive-thru window, like
McDonald's, in the kitchen so people on the patio could just walk up and get a burger, but that didn't go over very well.

My wife finally had an idea--combine the outdoor kitchen with the pool pump house. I came up with some ideas and got to work. What a project! I wanted something
unique, and something that would last. Originally I was going to use wood, but the outer spans would be about 16 feet. I didnt' want it to sag, so I decided to do it in
steel. About the time we were ready to move on it, steel prices shot through the roof. I had to re-design it to take out some of the steel and put in more wood. By
looking at it, it's hard to believe that I took out any steel--this thing could serve as a tornado shelter or bomb shelter!

The kitchen will have two serving counters with rollup doors on the pool side. There will be a brick lattice wall to separate the
pool equipment from the kitchen. The pool equipment will be on the side away from the pool. The lower portion of the walls will be bricked to match our house, with
masonite above.

Anyway, here are some pics. I haven't included pictures of the underground plumbing, sprinklers, gas or electric lines, etc. By looking at the grass (and lack thereof)
you can tell that I've been working on this for a while.

Oh, yea, I am NOT a welder, but I own one. I have tacked everything together and my neighbor, who owns a fab shop, does the serious part. The welding is not
completed in these pics.

Sorry for the long post!

Putting rafters on the columns:


Cutting the columns to length (I used a Sawzall with these rectangular tubes as a guide:


First two rafters welded in place. This took quite a bit of doing to get everything line up!


All rafters in place. The center hub is a piece of 3" pipe.


Crossbeams connect the outer ends of the rafters. Clips are mounted on them to allow mounting of wood rafters. There will be 3 concentric rings in all. These await installation.


The finished product:


Aerial view:


There is a ring connecting the inner columns. Clips on this ring will support joists for a ceiling around the perimeter. Recessed lighting will be mounted in the ceiling.


A view of the crown on top of the structure. It will have controllable louvers for venting. A ceiling fan will be mounted in the lower pipe above the BBQ grille to remove
smoke. The upper pipe in the center of the crown will be used for mounting a flagpole, weathervane, or ...

[Sandy]

Dang that's one busy looking structure with all the angles and clips in place.

I think I've got the concept figured out but will have to wait for the finished pics for sure.

Great work.

[GLwelder]

That's a pretty impressive structure. DId you design it yourself? I don't think I could get all those angles right, atleast w/o alot of swearing, recutting and hammering.

[jtrapper]

Keep them coming, nice looking project. What is the roofing material going to be?

[steve45]

Designed it myself. I've got a degree in engineering and I tend to overcomplicate everything. Sometimes I just do things just to see if it can be done. I've sure learned a lot so far with this thing.

The roof will be composition shingles that match the house. I hope to have the roof on in a month or so. After that, I can install my circuit breaker panel, then the pool equipment and lighting. That will be followed by framing a doorway, serving counters, sink, etc. Next, the brick & siding will be installed. I'm gonna hire a bricklayer.

I will probably fab my own louvers, I want them to seal well. Not sure what I'm going to do on the rollup doors for the serving counters. I've seen some wooden ones, but don't think they'll last outdoors. Aluminum rollup doors would be very expensive.

[fredf]

Steve, its going on 4 months how about an update???? this is a cool project and I for one would like to see some finished pictures :-)

[kburd]

ladder on top of scaffholding... better hope osha isnt in sight

[chaz3882]

Originally Posted by kburd

ladder on top of scaffholding... better hope osha isnt in sight

That picture should come with the disclaimer "Do as I say, NOT as I do."

On that note, this is an extremely impressive structure! I can completely understand the comment of being an Engineer and overcomplicating everything. Exact same reason I change things time and time again around the house. Always trying to improve the previous design.

Good job, give us some updates! I want to see this thing when it is completed!

[weldbead]

Originally Posted by kburd

ladder on top of scaffholding... better hope osha isnt in sight

osha has nojurisdiction on this kind of project but the point is well taken.

[roho]

WoW! That pic with the step ladder on de scaffold reminds me of a monument I saw at the Aliaska PipeLine Terminal in Valdez! It was a tribute to the worker of the pipeline! A group of people with heavy workcloths & welding hoods & hard hats! Now this monument could be in front of a emergency room & be a tribute to all Do it U'rselfers! Boy sometimes we put ourselves in a bind.. BTW GREAT LOOKIN STRUCTURE!

[kburd]

that structure is very nice cant wait to see it with the roof on. would you mind telling me what size your shop is there in the background

[steve45]

Sorry it's been so long to update this. It still isn't finished, but getting closer.

I really didn't like the ladder on top of the scaffold, but it is tied down with two ratchet straps. It was pretty secure. Sometimes, you do what ya gotta do. Work slowly, work carefully, and make every move deliberately.

Here's a shot with the wall studs in place:


Overview, showing serving windows (closed) facing the pool:


Another outside shot, this shows the walkthrough door:


Rollup door on serving counter. The serving counters will eventually be finished with galvanized steel (probably).


Serving counter & sink. Not finished by any means, but you get the idea. The BBQ grill is also shown.


Louvered windows. I had to order them from Hawaii because they are no longer sold in the continental US because they aren't energy efficient.


Wiring. Circuit breaker box and pool timers in the background.


Ceiling paneling, the lights will be relocated up higher to give better lighting of the serving counters.


'Crown' paneling. I will mount a ceiling fan in the 'cage' area to draw smoke from the grill. I made a different mounting fixture for the fan blades so they will actually be mounted vertically. In this way, the fan will act like a centrifugal blower.

[jman]

Wow,.... "Stellar Job" !
Cheers,

/J.....

[drewjunr]

WOW your property value just doubled with that put on it. Very nice

[Brink, M.E.]

Now where is that smiley with it's jaw on the floor . . .

Simply amazing!

[oxy moron]

wow! amazing... simply amazing.

[ItsAdam1]

looked weird when your where building it, but it came out awesome.

[cajun welder]

Awesome! Very nice. I might have a summer project to build a gazebo, next to a pond
and I would like to know the diameter and height. Also what did you slip over the outside columns.

Thanks
Simon

[lewcrippen12]

Hi guys,

It's really good.


Many thanks


Regards
Lew Crippen

[AlanAlan]

A magnificently constructed swimming pool is a dream to all.However once you have decided to construct a pool, there are so many thoughts that walk in randomly.The view is really nice and is very attractive...a very interesting ideas that will be referenced long into the future.