PJ,
I think your description of a direction oriented, well built "fireplace" probably helps explain at least some of the overbuilt/poorly built monstrosities and the subsequent attempts to rebuild or modify them.
I don't claim too be a fire building expert by any stretch of the imagination, but a few things are universal.
You need a source of fuel (dry if at all possible). A ignition source (match/lighter/ what have you. AND, and many people don't realize this, a proper flow of air (oxygen) to complete the combustion cycle.
 I also like a "dry" base in the fire pit, a wet base full of char, will draw moisture making a smoky hard to keep going fire. That's where a trowel is nice to clean out the pit. Sometimes I will take a flat rock, and build my fire base on that, if the ground is so saturated it's a problem.
 I have gotten into serious "discussions" paddling with others and in "social" situations at home here, about the need for a "draft" in your fire pit. Many people "think" a fire-ring that has almost zero draft is a good thing. They think draft equals blowing the fire out. When they struggle ALL day to keep or get a decent fire, they're amazed when I pull out a "strategically" placed rock, get a proper draft and the fire springs into life. Same thing on canoe trips with the same people, I would get my "blow-pipe" out, or fan the fire with a plate, it would burst into flame and they get the idea you need air for a proper fire.
 I've seen rebuilt fire-pits that were like 1/2 oak barrel planters in the ground. No allowance for air flow. These always seem to be the one's full of half burned trash, green logs or half burnt firewood. I'm sure  the builders/users thought it was the Weather conditions that precluded a decent fire :(  You get a fire pit built the right way, a decent "base" of hot coals and a fuel source that doesn't overwhelm the fire, you can keep it going in the worst wind and rain, something that gives a nice feeling of accomplishment and self satisfaction ;)