Yonder

Yonder was the aspiration of two furniture designers with a passion for climbing. Aiming to strengthen the relationship between work and exercise, the pair conceptualised a hub to unite creative professionals, the local community and climbing enthusiasts.

With most climbing centres typically single-storey, dimly lit spaces, their intention was to create something bright, multi-functional and sustainable.

To ensure the climbing structure would be visible from multiple viewpoints and create interesting view lines throughout the space, we extensively used VR technology to model all vantage points. The existing warehouse building had extensive rooflights, so the aim of our design was to maximise the spread of this light down to all three floors by tiering the floors in sections.

In terms of principal materials, Yonder’s original design specified a steel structure that connected into the warehouse’s existing steel columns, but after discussing extensively with the client, cross laminated timber (CLT) was chosen. As well as having comparatively low embodied carbon, CLT avoided the need to dig new concrete footings by spreading the load of the new elements across the length of the existing concrete slab, which caused considerable carbon savings. In addition, CLT has a more sculptural appearance and could be moulded into canyons, caves and overhangs, which enabled us to utilise the building’s full height with ledges and mezzanines. In establishing this playful use of space, climbers feel a sense of adventure but are prevented from a continuous fall from the 10m highest point.

Devising a green solution for Yonder’s ventilation, heating and cooling required innovation. Climbing centres need cool temperatures and dry air to ensure climbers can grip. In summer, the industrial shed would likely heat up, and in winter, ventilation needs to extract humidity but ensure incoming air is pre-heated. A further problem is climbers’ heavy use of chalk dust, meaning most extraction systems would clog. Working with a specialist designer of low energy cooling systems for IT server banks, we developed a bespoke ventilation system with heat recovery and water cooling. This does not use traditional condensing air conditioning, rather water and a heat exchanger, so is significantly lower in energy.

Yonder’s design challenge was its unique purpose; how to harmoniously combine all elements of the brief to make a functional, interesting and safe space within the triple height industrial unit. Placing climbing at the epicentre, we collaboratively pursued an amphitheatre atmosphere. Mezzanines around the perimeter, each with windows overlooking the climbing structure, provide flexible desks for freelancers and small businesses together with space for warm-ups, weights and practice.

On the ground floor, maker’s workshops were included for prototyping/R&D and at the heart of the first floor, a café overhangs the climbing space.

 The whole project was designed to be regenerative, from acting as a catalyst for the ongoing revitalisation of the area to retrofitting the building with sustainable materials and adopting as many energy-efficient technologies as possible.