The rock climbing gym which also includes retail, check-in, strength/weight area and locker rooms is located in the new Columbia University, Manhattanville campus in one of the prime retail spaces located on Broadway.

Given it's location within an all-glass storefront, the project capitalized on the unavoidable proximity of our opaque, faceted climbing wall to the measured, transparent glass box in which it is sited, a crucial dichotomy which becomes the driving force behind the design.

Instead of a familiar climbing wall, the backside of the wall is open, its structure expressed. The “rusting”, faceted structure’s high tactility is in complete material contrast to the building’s commercial storefront giving the gym it's identity. The exposed structure also provides a sculptural backdrop for the retail space; the custom designed furniture includes a ping pong table, sign up counter, modular displays and a 12’ front desk which carry through the material palette using modular steel and plywood.