Gazebo Structure

Description

• Quite often round or octagonal in shape and frequently freestanding, gazebos by definition will usually feature a scenic view. Although a gazebo's sides will be partially or completely open, a roof provides shelter from rain.

History

• Gazebos played a role in Egyptian, Roman and Chinese architecture before becoming popular in the West. Originally mentioned in a 1752 English landscaping book called "New Designs for Chinese Temples," the early gazebos sometimes served as a tower on a roof or as a structure on top of a wall.

Purpose

• In England during previous centuries, a gazebo might have been placed so that an estate owner could view a construction or landscaping project on his property from a protected place, according to the University of Florida Extension. In modern times, gazebos are primarily ornamental.