Our Projects
See how Living Culture pergolas and shade structures turn everyday decks, patios, and backyards into all-weather living spaces.
How a 3×3 Pergola Turned This Concrete Patio into a Usable Outdoor Space
A concrete pad in the corner of a garden is a great starting point, but without cover, it often sits unused when the sun is too hot or the weather...
Matthew’s Two Charcoal Pergolas for the Deck and BBQ Area
Matthew had two different spots in his backyard that needed cover: a wide timber deck attached to the house and a separate outdoor kitchen area. He used two matching charcoal...
Sheltering the Corner Patio at Ainsley Court
When a house is built with an inner corner courtyard and multiple sets of glass doors, it creates a natural hub for outdoor living. But without a roof, that setup...
A Custom Tasman Pergola for Tim’s Spa Pool Deck
A wide timber deck with a spa pool is a solid backyard setup. But sitting in the spa isn't very comfortable if you're getting hit by a cold breeze or...
Beating the Glare on Rita’s Back Patio
Exposed aggregate concrete looks great and requires almost no maintenance, but it can act like a heat sink in the middle of summer. Rita had a solid concrete patio right...
Two 8-Metre Pergolas Completing a Massive Backyard
When you have a backyard this size—complete with a pool, glass fencing, and an outdoor fireplace—a single umbrella isn’t going to cut it. Ryan’s property in Auckland had all the...
Connecting the House to the Boat Shed: Lisa’s Dual Pergola Setup
When you have a deck that spans from your back door all the way to a boat shed, you have a lot of usable space—but also a lot of exposure....
Darryl’s Deck: The Missing Link Between House and Garden
French doors are designed to open up a home to the outdoors, but if the deck outside is fully exposed to the sun, they often stay closed. Darryl had a...
Aria’s Poolside Oasis
A swimming pool makes a backyard, but it’s the space around the pool that determines how much you actually use it. Without shade, the poolside concrete gets too hot to handle,...
Jenny’s Elevated Deck: From Windy Balcony to Protected Lookout
High-up decks offer the best views, but they often come with a catch: they catch the most wind and sun. Jenny’s deck had a fantastic outlook over the neighbourhood, but...
Side Deck To Second Living Room: Richard’s Wall-Mounted Pergola In Waiake
Every coastal home owner knows the feeling: you have a great deck outside the living room, you can hear the sea and feel the breeze – but most days the...
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...
Caribbean Pergola For Everyday Living
Sandra’s patio sits right off the sliding doors, so it should have been the easiest place to eat, read, and gather. In reality it was a pass-through. Too bright at...
Ray’s Backyard, Finally In Use
Ray wanted a pergola that offered shade for dining, allowed sunlight in during cooler weather, and maintained a clean look that blended seamlessly with the overall style of his home....
Sharon’s Spa Pergola: Shade, Privacy, and Everyday Comfort
Hot tubs are great until the weather decides otherwise. Too much sun, a surprise shower, or a cool breeze can shorten soak time. Sharon wanted the opposite. She wanted a...
A backyard dining space that actually gets used
Some patios spend half the year empty. Too bright at midday, too cold when the breeze picks up, too damp after a passing shower. Dan wanted the opposite: a place...
Sara’s Terrace, Reimagined
The terrace had the view, but not the comfort. It was bright, exposed, and rarely used. Sara wanted a place to sit with a coffee, read in the afternoon, and...
Julie’s Garden Room, Finished In White
Julie's brief was simple. Create a calm, elegant area for everyday living that still felt open to the garden. She also wanted privacy from the street and a touch of...
Poolside dining that actually works all afternoon
Michelle loved her sunny deck by the pool, but the glare and heat made lunches short and dinners rare. She wanted shade that still felt open, and something that looked...
Toby’s Backyard Just Got A Real Outdoor Room
Some patios are fine for a quick BBQ. Toby wanted more than that. He pictured a lounge you could walk into from the living room, sit down, and stay a...
Pergola on a Windy Hillside Deck: A Cozy All-Weather Retreat
Some decks look beautiful in photos but are almost impossible to enjoy in real life. Too much wind, too much sun, and nowhere to hide when the weather turns. That...
Gordon’s Sunny Corner Turned Into A Calm Backyard Lounge
Gordon’s home in Murrays Bay already had a relaxed coastal feel – palms, lush planting, a sheltered fireplace, and a small deck off the house. What it did not have...