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Collection by Miyoko Ohtake

Dominey Pavilion and Carport

When Decatur, Georgia, residents Todd and Heather Dominey tasked architect architect William Carpenter of Lightroom Studio to create additional space for their growing family, they turned to the outdoors. Embracing the space surrounding an ailing white oak, they nursed the tree to health and breathed new life into their backyard.

Watch our slideshow of images of the Dominey Pavilion and read the story, told in captions.

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The pavilion and carport that Carpenter designed carry on the horizontal character of the Domineys' Craftsman-style house, and picks up on the Southern vernacular dogtrot architecture.
The pavilion and carport that Carpenter designed carry on the horizontal character of the Domineys' Craftsman-style house, and picks up on the Southern vernacular dogtrot architecture.
In addition to the covered pavilion, the structure Carpenter designed includes an exterior deck, garden, and driveway. The biggest obstacle was siting the components around the initially sick white oak tree.
In addition to the covered pavilion, the structure Carpenter designed includes an exterior deck, garden, and driveway. The biggest obstacle was siting the components around the initially sick white oak tree.
To save the tree, Carpenter called in an arborist, who helped Carpenter and the Domineys nurse it back to health. Carpenter then built the parts of the pavilion around the tree, moved the foundation away from the roots, and used permeable concrete slabs so that water would properly drain into the ground.
To save the tree, Carpenter called in an arborist, who helped Carpenter and the Domineys nurse it back to health. Carpenter then built the parts of the pavilion around the tree, moved the foundation away from the roots, and used permeable concrete slabs so that water would properly drain into the ground.
Carpenter describes the FSC-certified cypress structure as part sculpture, part architecture, and part landscape.
Carpenter describes the FSC-certified cypress structure as part sculpture, part architecture, and part landscape.
The carport leaves the vehicles it shelters partially exposed to the elements but encourages a southeast breeze to flow through, keeping the spaces cool.
The carport leaves the vehicles it shelters partially exposed to the elements but encourages a southeast breeze to flow through, keeping the spaces cool.
The Domineys use the outdoor living room, outfitted with a fireplace, ten months of the year. For more, visit lightroom.tv.
The Domineys use the outdoor living room, outfitted with a fireplace, ten months of the year. For more, visit lightroom.tv.