DIY Shade Structure for the Garden from Recycled Wood and PVC
A large, light shade shelter that covers one or two picnic tables. One end is a wooden frame; the other is a curved quarter-circle of PVC ribs, so wind and rain slide off. A breathable canvas tarp is tied over the top.
Built and documented by Shade Incorporated: Joseph Katz, Logan Westerfield, Austin Detrick and Joel Pimentel, engineering students at Cal Poly Humboldt. Originally published on Appropedia: “CASA Student Farm mobile shade” under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The finished shade structure on the farm, covered with canvas. Photo: LN98, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Appropedia (resized)
The story behind this build
A new student farm needed somewhere for workers and visitors to rest out of the sun, wind and rain, without building anything permanent. Four engineering students designed this shelter in the autumn of 2025.
Their requirements: four people or fewer must be able to move it, it must stay put in winds of about 20 mph, there must be room for two picnic tables, and the materials must resist rust and weather. They tested the idea with a small model of scrap wood, cloth and wire first, which showed an unexpected pulling force from the wire, and then with a 3D model before building the real thing.
How it is designed
Footprint 9 × 12 ft and 9 ft high, big enough for one or two picnic tables.
The shape is a quarter of a circle: a straight wooden frame at the front and curved PVC ribs that run down to the ground at the back. The curve lets wind and rain run off instead of pushing on a flat wall.
The frame is recycled pressure-treated wood with metal brackets on the inside and outside of each joint.
Steel concrete stakes are driven into the ground along the curved side. Each PVC rib slides down over a stake, and the other end is screwed to the wooden frame with a pipe strap.
A central main support is fixed with a beam anchor.
The cover is a breathable 100% polyester canvas tarp, chosen because it sheds rain without trapping moisture and blocks UV light. It is folded to fit and tied to the frame.
Materials they used
Recycled pressure-treated lumber, including 4×4 base boards and the vertical supports
PVC pipe for the curved ribs, plus PVC corner joints
Steel concrete form stakes
Metal brackets, pipe straps, screws and a beam anchor
A 100% polyester canvas tarp and rope or ties
How they built it
1Confirm the spot
The team agreed the final location with the farm before building, since the structure is large even though it can be moved.
2Cut and lay out the wood
They marked the recycled pressure-treated wood, cut it to length and laid the base boards out on site, forming a rectangle on the ground.
3Build the front frame
Two vertical supports were cut to fit over the 4×4 base boards and fixed in place, with brackets on both the inside and outside of each joint.
4Drive the stakes and fit the ribs
Steel stakes were driven into the ground along the curved side. Lengths of PVC were pushed down over the stakes, bent over and screwed to the wooden frame with pipe straps, then trimmed to length.
5Add the main support
A central support was fixed with a beam anchor to stiffen the structure.
6Cover it
The canvas was laid over the frame, folded to fit and tied down along the sides and back.
More photos
Fixing the curved PVC ribs to the wooden front frame. Photo: LN98, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Appropedia (resized)Laying out the PVC ribs before assembly. Photo: LN98, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Appropedia (resized)The wooden base frame staked to the ground. Photo: LN98, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Appropedia (resized)
Use and upkeep, from the builders
Every day: check that the structure is seated in the ground and not leaning.
Every month: look for cracked PVC and for splitting, bending or twisting wood.
Every year: check the canvas for tears.
Every five years or so: replace worn parts.
Our notes if you build one
Large covers catch a lot of wind. In a storm forecast, take the canvas off rather than trusting the stakes.
Standard PVC becomes brittle in strong sunlight over time unless it is UV-resistant or painted.
Keep open flames and grills well away from canvas and PVC.
Credits and license: Built and documented by Shade Incorporated: Joseph Katz, Logan Westerfield, Austin Detrick and Joel Pimentel, engineering students at Cal Poly Humboldt. Originally published on Appropedia: “CASA Student Farm mobile shade” under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is our summary of their documentation and is shared under the same license (CC BY-SA 4.0); photos are credited individually. Measurements and costs are the builders' own and refer to their site and year. DIY Outdoor Builds did not build this project.
Building work can be dangerous and may need a permit. Check local rules and use a qualified professional for electrical, gas and structural work.
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