The Challenge:
The lobby of UC San Diego’s Recreation, Intramural and Athletic Complex (RIMAC), located at a key campus intersection with high foot traffic, had potential as a student hub. However, the space lacked energy and purpose, offering only minimal amenities for students. An existing steel brace frame, a locker room directly below and complex seismic conditions limited options for the lobby.
The Solution:
Inspired by the sheer rock of a nearby slot canyon, designers proposed a climbing and bouldering wall that responds directly to the constraints of the space. The split nature of the wall, dictated by the existing brace frame and the need to maintain seismic separation from the existing structure, mirrors the natural divide of a canyon, allowing the design to work within the rigid structural limits.
Integrated into the lobby, the wall creates a seamless flow between recreational functions. From various vantage points, students experience the wall at different levels — whether climbing, walking through the lobby or using the expressive stair that connects the two floors. The wall is not merely a visual feature but a hands-on, immersive part of the student experience.
“Instead of doing lots of different moves all over the place, it really hones in on one strong move,” says LPA Design Director Matthew Porreca. “A single bold idea transformed this dead lobby into a new magnet for student life on campus.”
