Westgate Community Climbing Centre

Located in The Cultural Community Zone in Newcastle Upon Tyne, at the intersection of St James Boulevard and Westgate Road. The project sits on a brown site of the former Carlisle Pub, bordering two student accommodation buildings, on either corner. Upon viewing the project vertical terracotta tiles cascade the buildings’ envelope, with a curved corner window that stretches up to the circular roof terrace.

The scheme seeks to strengthen the community culture of sports enthusiasts, through curating a social hub of like-minded individuals with climbing facilities of various types of climbing of different heights, across multiple or singular floors. The climbing walls are made of plywood and consist of protruding angular forms dotted with climbing holds to create interesting dynamics and varying difficulty for the users. This dynamic is continued throughout the building, through vertical circulation - a spiral staircase that contrasts the form of the walls and stairs behind the climbing walls. The design has an open concept with an atrium throughout the entire building.

The design strives to support the network of cyclists in the area, in conjunction with the existing cycle lanes on St James Boulevard, offering an area of respite. Within catering for the cycling community, indoor bike storage and charging points provide safekeeping of their belongings. Cyclists access the building via a ramp allowing them to cycle into the building, whilst pedestrians enter by a lift or the stairs on opposite corners of the building.

Towards minimising individual and collective carbon footprints, a Bike Workshop found in the basement provides tools and teachings on bike maintenance for users. Decreasing waste within the bike industry, instead aids the public in prolonging the lifespan of their bikes through gaining knowledge on care. Users are invited to watch the workings within through the atrium.