This backyard deck remodeling project soon taking place will have a couple of circular pillars made out of Anchor Blocks (www.anchorwall.com) arising out of the finished concrete deck surface. 

First, a brief description.  Generally flat backyard.  Totally sand soils (Along the w. coast of Mich.)  But the orginally builder dug out a large hole (40′ dia x 5 ‘ deep) in the back yard for fill for the front and provide light & egress for the basement windows. 

A 6′ wide deck will extend 32′ along the back of the house.  To the left of the away side from the house of this rectangle, will be a half circle extension built out, 17 ‘ in dia, same level.  This deck will eventually be 7 – 7 1/2 ‘ above the lower finished paver surface.  These pillars will be on either side of and inside the semicircle, 10 ‘ oc apart, about 11’ oc from the house.  The walls below the deck will be solid decorative concrete blocks (9″ thick), outlining the structure, with the pillars being tied in from behind, acting as pilasters.

To the right will be egress from the deck and a switchback stairs (these same concrete blocks) leading to the lower level.  The wall ahead of and at the base of the landing of these stairs will have a SS outdoor fireplace (http://www.lennoxhearthproducts.com/news/view_bulletin.asp?bid=190) positioned to vent into the above (right) pillar. 

Accordingly, the pillars will be about 9 to 12 feet high (from the above finished deck surface – 17 to 20′ overall) and 30″ in diameter, probably stepping down to 24 at 8 ft up (support for the future roof support beam).

The other pillar is more of a fallback should we put a roof overhead as well as design balance.

But I keep looking at it and saying, what else can I do that makes it more functional?  (Besides hanging a basketball hoop from it.)

Up top, along side the first pillar, will be a free standing fancy SS grill.  There’s enough room between the two pillars and the house to center a nice size table and chairs, 5 – 6 ft from the grill.

So I’m thinking that I can build up the inside of the second pillar to serve as a small firepit, or chiminea, to give that table setting a bit more mood.

Am I over looking something in thinking I simply need to cut my blocks (on their inside) to fit either a premade one, or have the mason make one up with firebrick? 

Anyone ever do something like this?

Ps, there’s no picture, cause I’m making the drawings now.  But on the opposite side of the circle from the fireplace, will be a pair of steel doors leading underneath for lawn equipment storage.