Pit idea

[Coat]

So I just moved, and I had to do the really unpleasant work of deconstructing my cinder block pit. So now I'm brainstorming my next open pit. I am wondering if I could do a single run of blocks along the bottom, with a 12-15 inch steel skirt along the outside, and then build a wood frame around the whole thing so that it's more attractive. I have access to fairly inexpensive cedar.

Any thoughts? What am I overlooking? Since I'm just shoveling in the coals, it never gets THAT hot. And The single run of block and the metal skirt should stop Any coal splatter from catching the wood on fire. Also I can at any time double the wood wall and add a layer of rock wool or something if insulation seems necessary at some point.