Architects: IDK
Location: London Borough of Newham, United Kingdom
Area: 485 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: Ollie Hammick
Manufacturers: KSR Lighting, Bric Design, SRE, Choice Electrical, SSG Contracts
Creating Community: Rise Climbing Hub in Newham
In the heart of the London Borough of Newham, Rise Climbing emerges as a social nexus for climbers, conceived and crafted by IDK architects. A testament to the collective spirit of climbing, the project strives to cultivate a space that fosters community engagement. The surge in indoor climbing’s popularity, marking it as one of the UK’s fastest-growing sports, prompted the creation of Rise Climbing.
Indoor Climbing’s Meteoric Rise
Indoor climbing has witnessed an unprecedented surge in popularity, with a 22% growth in regular participation in the UK in 2019—four times faster than the broader fitness industry. Presently, 1.4 million individuals engage in climbing activities annually in the UK, reflecting a paradigm shift in recreational preferences.
Architectural Collaboration with Climbing Enthusiasts
IDK architects collaborated closely with Rise Climbing, a venture fueled by two ardent climbers, navigating through site feasibility assessments. The architects provided comprehensive design services, overseeing the construction and delivery phases with a shared vision of minimizing material usage.
Raw and Stripped-Back Aesthetics
The design ethos revolves around minimizing material use, embracing exposed timber stud work, galvanized steel, and concrete. This raw and stripped-back materiality pays homage to the original self-built “cellar” climbing gyms from the early 1990s. Meticulously crafted spaces cater to the unique requirements of both avid climbers and social users, striking a delicate balance.
Bouldering: Mental and Physical Challenge
Specializing in bouldering, Rise Climbing offers climbing “problems” on walls reaching up to 4.5 meters, with safety mats below. Beyond the physical exertion, bouldering poses mental challenges, fostering interaction, collaboration, and shared problem-solving. The climbing walls, designed as sociable spaces, encourage communal engagement beyond climbing activities.
Mezzanines and Visual Connectivity
To optimize climbing space while integrating communal areas, mezzanines were strategically inserted. This design ensures visibility of bouldering activities from all corners of the center. Large glazed windows provide passers-by with glimpses of the climbing endeavors inside, and the architectural shell is deliberately left unfinished, focusing attention on thoughtfully designed interventions, including the sculptural joinery of the climbing wall.
Rise Climbing Hub stands not only as a haven for climbing enthusiasts but as a testament to architectural innovation harmonizing with the spirit of a vibrant and growing community of climbers in Newham. The collaboration between IDK architects and the passionate climbing duo has resulted in a space that transcends the conventional gym experience, inviting individuals to partake in the communal and exhilarating world of indoor climbing.
