Herb Spiral Questions

Why I am putting in an herb spiral. There are a few herbs I have in a box getting overwatered and others that could use more shade. My garden box is slowly becoming a strawberry patch with tomatoes added to the gaps and I kind of love it that way. Additionally, my husband loves his little grass farm (lawn) so I think the compact nature with neat edges will make maintenance around it the easiest for us as well.

• Some people put down gravel or sand, some use landscaping glue, other don't even compact the soil and just put down cardboard. I have free bricks available I would like to use. What is the best way to build a solid structure that won't settle or crumble? Does sand/gravel affect drainage?
• Can someone explain the directions of how the spiral is supposed to be oriented to me like I'm really dumb? I am putting it in one of the sunniest parts of my yard to the south of my house just off the patio.