Of Plato and Pergolas

Waxing philosophic on this iconic outdoor structure.

Perusing the illegible jumble of SEO-induced word vomit that is the contractor blogosphere, popular opinion seems to have settled on the assumption that the pergola originated in Ancient Egypt; Thebes to be specific.  However, pergola-like structures have been found among the ruins of multiple, geographically dispersed, prehistoric civilizations from Asia to the Yucatan.

In fact, if you wander around the Mayan ruins at Cobá, you’ll find small lattice structures overgrown with vegetation dotted throughout the settlement.  You’ll also find one of the last Mayan pyramids open for the public to climb, and swarms of Lululemon-clad yogis day tripping from Tulum, hoping to find their spiritual center by taking a bunch of selfies somewhere profound.

But that’s another story, we’re here to talk about pergolas.

Something about the nexus of indoor and out, of nature and the built environment, has resonated with humanity for longer than we know.  Which begs the question, why have we had such an enduring relationship with the pergola, in all its many forms?

It’s said that all philosophy is but a footnote to Plato, but he’s shockingly quiet on the topic of pergolas.  So for this one, we turn to Francis Bacon.  The 15th Century British Empiricist famously stated: “Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.”  There’s a lot to unpack here, but, since this is a blog about pergolas, our interpretation is that we have a complicated relationship with nature.  While we can erect structures and shelter ourselves from the elements, we can never comprehend, let alone truly master, the immense power and beauty of nature.

And so, we have the pergola.  The perfect combination of indoor and out, a blend of mastery and obedience.  And as our relationship with nature has evolved, so has the pergola.  We’ve come a long way from those original pergolas in Thebes and Cobá.  Today, we have steel reinforced Azek pergolas, louvered roof pergolas, and fabric roof pergolas.  These systems can, with the press of a button, protect you from the elements or open up and let the sunshine pour through.

So go ahead and get your F. Bacon on, and blend your mastery and obedience of nature amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life.  Perch your own little philosophical muse right on your back patio and get deep, and if you need a little guidance just swing by our showroom for some inspiration. 

Your move, Plato.