Hi Shaun,(posted 9672 days ago)When I was growing up my father and mother had an open fireplace on two sides. (you could see through it. and it is big.) The fireplace itself was built as a divider for a den and livingroom. There was a door going outside in the den, and the front door in the livingroom. Man if both doors opened at the same time ugh the smoke.
It did not draw smoke well, and finally my father bricked it up in the middle with fire brick. inserted a draft and the thing now works like a charm. The backside he just keeps a silk plant in, but I am sure you could have other uses.
You have to be sure and block off the back side opening over the old fireplace, or it will not pull the smoke out.
He then inserted a fireplace insert, and the thing will run you out of the house with heat.
Hope you find something that works for you.
Beth (NC)