Fireplace, Pergola, And A Backyard That Finally Gets Used
Some backyards are almost there. The lawn is in, the fireplace is built, the furniture is set out – but without shade or shelter, the space never quite becomes the everyday hangout it should be.
That was the case for Mark in Glendowie, Auckland. He had a beautiful concrete outdoor fireplace and plenty of room for seating, but the area sat fully exposed to the sky. On hot days the patio baked; on damp or drizzly evenings, the fire stayed cold.
A 5 x 4 m Tasman freestanding motorised louvre roof pergola is what pulled everything together and turned the space into a true outdoor living room.
Turning an open patio into a real room
The new pergola sits like a simple frame around the fireplace and lounge setting. Four clean posts, a flat dark roof, and nothing fussy to distract from the fire or the garden.
Underneath, there is now:
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Comfortable lounge seating arranged around the hearth
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A clear, dry zone on the concrete for food, drinks, and firewood
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Shade overhead when the sun is high, and cover when rain comes through
The pergola makes the furniture feel permanent and protected instead of temporary and at the mercy of the weather.
Made for Auckland’s changeable weather
Glendowie’s coastal climate can swing from bright sun to passing showers in the space of an afternoon. Mark wanted to enjoy the fire and garden without constantly checking the forecast.
The Tasman motorised louvre roof gives him that control:
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With the louvres open, the space feels light and airy, with sky views and natural warmth.
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With the louvres closed, the roof forms a solid canopy over the seating and fireplace surround, keeping the area usable in light rain.
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A simple remote adjusts everything in seconds, so the pergola can respond to the weather rather than dictate it.
Instead of the patio being a fair-weather space, it now works through most of the year.
A clean, modern frame for the fireplace
The fireplace is the star of this backyard, so the structure around it had to complement, not compete.
A few design choices make the combination work:
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The charcoal Tasman frame contrasts nicely with the pale concrete of the fireplace and the light outdoor furniture, giving the setup a sharp, modern look.
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The pergola is perfectly centred over the hearth and lounge, making the whole composition feel deliberate and balanced.
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Low timber retaining walls and hedging wrap the perimeter, so the pergola reads as a room tucked into the garden rather than a standalone object dropped in the middle of the lawn.
From any angle, the fireplace and pergola now look like a single, well planned outdoor living zone.
Freestanding, flexible, and future proof
Mark chose a freestanding pergola rather than attaching a roof to the house. That decision keeps the area flexible:
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The structure is independent of the house, so it can sit exactly where it works best for the fireplace and garden layout.
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There is clear separation between indoor and outdoor spaces; the pergola feels like a destination, not just an extension of the eaves.
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If the landscaping changes in future, the pergola still works as a strong focal point in its own right.
The clean lines and durable aluminium construction mean it will continue to look sharp alongside any future changes to planting or furniture.
How the space is used now
With the Tasman pergola in place, the backyard has shifted from occasional entertaining area to a regular part of family life:
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Weeknight dinners and weekend coffees outdoors, without worrying about drizzle or harsh sun
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Long evenings around the fire, with the roof closed to hold in warmth and keep the seating dry
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Extra room for guests when the house is full, without the space feeling like a compromise
Most importantly, the investment Mark had already made in the fireplace and landscaping is now fully realised. The pergola is the missing layer that makes everything else work.
Thinking about something similar for your place?
If you have a fireplace, patio, or open slab that you like the idea of using more, a freestanding Tasman motorised pergola can turn it into a true outdoor room:
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Shade when you want it, sky when you do not
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Protection for furniture and finishes
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A simple, architectural frame that lifts the look of the whole garden
Share the size of your space and how you plan to use it, and we can help you work out whether a 5 x 4 m Tasman like Mark’s – or a custom size – is the right fit for your backyard.