Outdoor Dojo

   I designed this outdoor

 dojo for a martial arts

 expert, so that he could

 practice and teach in his 

 backyard.

  - Top View -

 The original plan had an

engawa (deck) going around the outside of the floor area, but that got eliminated due to budget.

   During construction.

The perimeter beams are set onto isolation pads where they bear on the footings. All sub-structure is double coated with primer. Floor is raised above grade for good ventillation underneath.

  Under the mat is a Sprung Floor I designed to soften the impact a bit Don't want the floor too springy though, like a boxing ring! This is achieved with neopreme isolation layers between the beams and footings, joists and beams, and between the joists and sub-floor.

The 3 dampening layers conduct shock and impact down to the ground instead of up thru your body..

The finished dojo floor.

Over the sub-floor went a special multi-layered mat material, and over that went the beige mat covering.

   What a nice place

 to ' Play '.

Sensei Jeff's in the blue gi

 The perimeter mat border is 1 X 6 ipe, while the surrounding skirt is fabricated from western red cedar.

  I had even designed a

 shade sail for the dojo,

 but again, budjet elimi-

 nated that also.