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a Massive Spanish Courtyard Fireplace Design is Completed and the Homeowner Builds a Fire in the Firebox in Prep for a Dinner Party in Santa Barbara California

Massive Spanish Courtyard Fireplace Design is a Fan Favorite

Jeff Doubet shares how a Spanish courtyard fireplace was designed + built. Learn about the design and build process through photos filmed in time lapse stages.

Group of Santa Barbara Friends Meeting in a Spanish style Courtyard with Extra Large Outdoor Fireplace

Imagine the extra tall flames, random crackle + pops, and the smell of oaky smoke wafting through the air. The finished project became a favorite gathering place for a family living in the foothills of Santa Barbara, CA.

a Jeff Doubét Spanish style Design Rendering Drawing for an Accessory Structure to Be Built in Santa Barbara California

This was my original design drawing for the Spanish-style accessory structure. The built project would compliment the main house. Although a nice start, the homeowner wanted to simplify a few aspects of my design. Mainly, to eliminate the roof stoop above the entry door, as well as the iron window grille. Also, to replace a large window with a pair of French doors.

an Old World Spanish style Building Designed by Santa Barbara Home Designer Jeff Doubét

All good design instincts and feedback. This is how the front door turned out.

The decomposed granite courtyard provides a look and feel of rural France or Spain. The olive tree on the right had lived there for many decades. The ancient olive tree on the left was imported to the site. Learn more about transplanting large olive trees here.

Building A Spanish Courtyard Fireplace in Santa Barbara

Here are a couple of early construction photos showing the earliest stage of a Spanish courtyard fireplace being built. We didn’t want the large fireplace to encroach into the courtyard too much, so the building was notched.

a Framing Crew Works on the Wood Frame of a Spanish style Coving Detail on an Accessory Structure Being Built in Santa Barbara California

The photo above shows the recessed mid-section of the building where it would be built. Also, how framing for the plaster coving was done. The framers are nailing hand cut, 1-1/8″ thick plywood to each rafter tail, and blocking in between.

a Close Up Photo of the Framing for a Spanish style Coving Details on an Accessory Structure Being Built in Santa Barbara California

Here’s a closeup of how the detail looked before block framing and plaster work. A lot of work for the skilled framers to hand cut hundreds of these plywood template forms. Then, install them around the entire perimeter of the building.

a Spanish style Building in Santa Barbara California Being Weatherproofed and Prepped for Exterior Stucco

In this photo the stucco team is finishing up the waterproofing in prep for plaster. The Spanish-style accessory structure is 1.5 story in height. The operable clerestory windows deeply recessed in a double framed wall.

a Spanish style Building Being Built in Santa Barbara California

The first scratch coat of plaster is going on the building. In this photo you can see the pedestrian side entrance with roof stoop. A 12 foot tall pair of wood barn doors to the left.

Masonry Spanish Courtyard Fireplace Construction Photos

For the overly large size of this Spanish courtyard fireplace design, the fireplace engineer recommended the homeowner have it built in a traditional way.

a Close Up Photo of the Herringbone Pattern That is Being Laid in a Large Masonry Outdoor Fireplace Being Built for a Spanish style Courtyard Accessory Structure in Santa Barbara California

Here, the extensive foundation for the all masonry outdoor fireplace has been poured (and backfilled with dirt). The construction of the firebox begins. Red fire brick is being laid in a herringbone pattern. Note the blue tape in the background. It was a visual guide for the masonry contractor and the owner as they fine tuned the design in real time.

a Large Outdoor Fireplace is Being Built on a Spanish style Accessory Structure in Santa Barbara California

Here, heavy plywood templates are jigsaw cut and paired with 2 x 4’s. A temporary mold for a solid concrete pour that will create the fireplace header.

a Large Spanish style Fireplace for a Courtyard is Under Construction in Santa Barbara California

Here the temporary mold was removed. You can see the solid cast concrete beam now spans the full width of the firebox.

Spanish-style Exterior Fireplace Design

There are multiple aspects to designing a Spanish-style exterior fireplace shown in the various photos on this page. 1) Technical building code your architect will help you with. 2) Functionality (drafting properly, etc.) your fireplace engineer will specify 3) Decorative details such as styling, trim choices, texture of plaster, etc. your designer can help with.

a Santa Barbara Home Designer Cuts a Black Paper Template for the Details That Will Be Added to a Spanish style Outdoor Fireplace Being Built in the Background

Once the bulk of the masonry fireplace was built, I was back on site to cut a paper template to confirm the final details of the design.

a Santa Barbara Home Designer Checks a Design Template Against a Very Large Spanish Courtyard Fireplace Design Under Construction  the Project is Being Built in a in Santa Barbara California

It truly is a massive Spanish courtyard fireplace. Not quite tall enough to walk into, but plenty big to have a nice gathering around it.

a Santa Barbara Home Designer Templating the Details That Will Applied to a Large Spanish style Courtyard Outdoor Fireplace Project

I made this template out of black roofing paper. You can see how the bulk of the concrete work is very close to the final design.

a Santa Barbara Home Designer Double Checks His Design Details for a Large Masonry Outdoor Fireplace Being Built in a Courtyard of a Spanish style Accessory Structure Project in Santa Barbara California

This black paper template will provide a visual guide for the exterior plasterers. They will arrive soon to add the final detailing of the fireplace. The “step or shelf” at the top of my template will enable room for the subtle “hood swoop” that will also be created in stucco.

Refinement of Other Spanish Architectural Details

Here you can see how the fireplace details and the roof coving turned out.

a Pro Painter Works on Staining Wood Clerestory Windows of a Spanish style Accessory Structure Being Built in Santa Barbara California

The painting crew now starting to stain the windows and doors.

a Stone Mason in Santa Barbara California Chisels Sandstone for Creating Stone Landings at a Spanish style Accessory Structure

The building has been painted, and now a local stone mason hand chisels sandstone boulders. He is making the stone landings at each door opening. In the background, the Spanish courtyard fireplace is taking shape.

a Boy and His Mother in Front of an Oversized Outdoor Fireplace in a Spanish style Courtyard in Santa Barbara Callifornia

A precious scene captured on film. The young boy shows love and affection for his mom. Building these types of Spanish-style details into your own project will become special backdrops for you, your family and life.

a Gentleman Stokes a Fire in an Oversized Outdoor Fireplace at a Spanish style Courtyard in Santa Barbara California

When I first met with the homeowner many years ago… I thought he was crazy for wanting to build such a massive outdoor fireplace. Now, I think about how his early vision for the property was pure genius. A friendly reminder about the importance of getting out of our comfort zones, and trusting the instincts of others we respect.

Outdoor Spanish Courtyard Get together Near Large Fireplace

My client and I have become close friends, and have completed many other projects on his property, since.

a Spanish style Accessory Structure in Santa Barbara California

Well friend, this wraps another Encore Edition in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA. I hope you enjoyed learning how to infuse more Santa Barbara Style into your own Spanish home design project. Scroll to explore more helpful links and resources for designing and building your own Spanish-style home and landscape.

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I’ve organized my snapshot posts and full-length articles into 4 main categories: Interiors , Exteriors , Landscapes and Store + More. For popular sub-categories like Spanish sheds, fireplaces, garage doors, tiles, etc. see my Portfolios. With well over 1,250+ photos and countless design tips shared… peruse at your own pace, or do a QUICK SEARCH for your specific needs!