Today was spent on a ladder, welding up the final framework for the trees that will flan the fireplace. With the scale established on the bottom of the trees it was a simpler matter to weld up the tops. The ceiling will be vaulted in a gentle barrel shape running from the entry to the fireplace. I put up that framework yesterday. The ceiling will be T-bar (yes you can bend it) and so I didn't want the tree branches to protrude through the ceiling. With the ceiling height established the height of the trees was easy to figure out.
The armature for the trees was welded from 1/4" mild steel pencil rod using a MIG welder. I had put in a number of heavy lag screws into the wall structure (blocking had been previously installed behind the drywall with this purpose in mind).
The welded frames look a lot like a computer wire frame model. As I welded I had to imagine what they would look like with the concrete skin in place.
The view from the entry of the little restaurant is spectacular! I can hardly wait to see it finished!
Stay tuned for more...
-dan
