True North 

A Deck with Many Destinations

Having built plenty of decks back in New York, the idea of constructing one here wasn’t daunting. The initial concept was straightforward—a rectangular layout with a small set of curved steps leading to the grass. But then, inspiration struck: What if those curved steps formed part of a perfect circle?

I’ve always wanted to incorporate a compass rose into a design—a striking artistic element that transforms an otherwise simple space. But if I was going to do it, I wanted it to be precise. That meant not just marking magnetic north but true north. From there, the idea grew.

The Vision Expands

To enhance the design, I decided to mark the deck’s perimeter with decorative elements. But why stop there? What if each board pointing toward the center represented 2 degrees of the compass, complete with engraved names of significant locations?

That led to a deep dive—four months of research and design. I needed to choose names that mattered. I asked for suggestions from a friend, Winn (you might know him from Sotterly in Florida), and then began curating a list. The result? A mix of places tied to historical discoveries, groundbreaking inventions, personal experiences, and world-changing events—from Bell Labs to Ice Cube Neutrino Observatory, from Azorian to Gates to Hell, even whimsical places like Lake Chaubunagungamaug (This one came from who else but GPC, "Everyone needs an Ash-Hole")  And of course, if you’re marking north, you can’t forget Santa’s Workshop.

Every location on the deck is real, and each has a story.

The Build

The decking itself is made from Tigerwood, a stunning Brazilian mahogany, and assembled using TigerClaw clips to minimize visible fasteners. While installation required some finesse—especially with such a large deck—the result was well worth the effort. Looking back, I’d use the same method again, but with a few refinements to make the process even smoother.

The Outcome

This project took time—more than a few part-time hours—but every moment was worth it. I had fun, and even with all the ribbing I get for how long it took, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Take a look below for a full list of the engraved locations. Let me know what you think—was it worth it?