T.A.P. have collaborated with Aerial Adventures Ltd. to develop designs for climbing structures that can be freestanding or hung from existing roofs and in mid-2015 we were approached to bring forward proposals for the space above and adjacent to the ice rink arena within East Kilbride shopping Centre, as part of a major refurbishment programme to create 'The Hub EK'.
The 'HiRide' is composed of a steel track which is hung from an array of droppers and cables connected to the existing roof trusses. Various obstacles are suspended from the track, and customers wearing a harness are clipped on and can walk safely, but precipitously, out over the ice rink below. The climbing wall was to appear as a single, continuous, crystalline surface, creating a striking backdrop to the newly refurbished ice rink arena. The design process began by modelling a symmetrical, smooth surface, wrapping the full width and height of the space using B.I.M. software that was capable of analysing the continuity of the surface avoiding abrupt changes in curvature. We worked closely with the climbing wall contractor before the set of 555 unique triangular panels were put into production and then fitted on site over a six-week period.
The 'HiRide' is composed of a steel track which is hung from an array of droppers and cables connected to the existing roof trusses. Various obstacles are suspended from the track, and customers wearing a harness are clipped on and can walk safely, but precipitously, out over the ice rink below.
The climbing wall was to appear as a single, continuous, crystalline surface, creating a striking backdrop to the newly refurbished ice rink arena.