5/06/2009

New Climbing Gym Amsterdam - Silo Re-use Contest


The Amsterdam city council recently held 'the silo competition' which involved the adaptive and reuse design for two former sewage treatment silos in the city's zeeburg district. for the competition NL Architects proposed silos dedicated to climbing, sports and culture. In their design the existing structures were extended to the maximum height to benefit from the views.

The most stunning thing is that the designers themselfes seem to be climbers, considering the major climbing fascilities they created.
This is what they have in mind:
The top level will be dedicated to a restaurant with 360 views and a roof terrace. Using the cylinder of the silo as a basis they created a 40 meter high artificial cave that consists of challenging cantilevers and overhangs for climbers. Since climbing walls essentially are oblique, a section can allow for an increase in space between the inside and outside, allowing useable floor areas on a higher level (see last picture). on the level above is a hotel, training facilities and a square that can be used in multiple ways. On the ground level is a public cafe, connected to the climbing tower through a hole in the floor above it and is surrounded by the boulder (!!) area. Cimbing grips will be placed on the outside of the silo too. The exterior as such becomes part of the 'program' climbers will activate the facade. By pushing the silo wall from the inside several swellings form on the outside; these bulges create more challenging routes.

Ain't that amazing ??!! I wonder how this plan will fit into the development plan, since Amsterdam already has three indoor climbing gyms. My thought is that, if being selected and build, it will become a serious rival to the other climbing gyms and maybe will result in lower prices.... See and judge.

(source: Tim van der Linden :)) thanks mate! - http://www.designboom.com/)

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