Design Awards

URI Climbing Wall Building

URI Climbing Wall Building

Architecture Firm: DBVW Architects

Year: 2013 Design Awards

Category: Commercial Architecture: Higher Education

Location: Kingston, RI

Type: Merit Award

This indoor climbing facility is the newest addition to the North Woods Challenge Course, part of the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Student Leadership Development’s Adventure Based Learning initiative. The North Woods Challenge Course’s primary function is to aid URI student organizations with group and team development through customized workshops around specific topics including, but not limited to, community building, group cohesion, conflict resolution, communication enhancement, and team building.

The new indoor climbing facility is designed to accommodate all climbing abilities from beginner to advanced. The facility includes a 38-foot top rope-climbing wall with five active belay stations and three new high elements designed to incorporate individual challenge and growth with teamwork and community building. With the opening of the indoor facility, the challenge course will be able to continue operation year round.

Located among the historic farms and stone walls of South County, this building was designed using materials and design elements that are inspired by the region’s natural beauty. 

Kingston, RI