ABOUT 
 

Tectonica Design Lab is a UK-based design studio specialising in the creation of bespoke climbing gyms.

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Founded in 2017, and led by Michelle Wardle, the studio is recognised for its innovative designs that seamlessly blend architectural creativity with the practical needs of climbers. Michelle brings a rare combination of architectural expertise and hands-on climbing experience to her work. She holds a Master’s in Architecture and has worked on large-scale commercial architectural projects in multiple countries, giving her a strong foundation in design at every scale.

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During her studies, Michelle also worked as a duty manager and climbing instructor at her university’s climbing wall, deepening her understanding of climbing from both a user and operational perspective.

 

Her extensive on-site experience ensures that her creative concepts are not only inspiring but also practical and buildable. A standout example of this is her work on the award-winning Cuningar Loop Boulder Park in Scotland (2014), where she played a vital role in both the design and the on-site sculpting and management of the boulders as part of the winning design-build team.

 

​Design Philosophy

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With a holistic, climber-led approach, Tectonica Design Lab tailors each project to reflect the unique identity and vision of its client. The studio values sustainability, inclusivity, and creativity—pushing the boundaries of climbing space design while delivering functional and inspiring environments.​

 

Notable Projects

 

• Big Depot Manchester (UK): The UK's largest indoor climbing centre, designed to provide world-class competition training facilities, and support a wide range of climbers with extensive roped and bouldering areas.

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• ​Urban Climb Blackburn (Melbourne, Australia): A purpose-built facility featuring 16-metre-high roped walls, a 15-metre speed wall, bouldering zones, training spaces, a yoga studio, and a sauna. Tectonica provided comprehensive climbing wall design, including all the panel drawings for CNC, and the interior concept design for the ancillary spaces. 

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• Avid Climbing (UK): A custom-designed wall to include unique features like a glass walkway and connected top-out boulder with sunken rest area. ​

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• Portside Boulder gyms (Australia): Visually striking bouldering spaces that showcases the studio’s artistic approach and deep understanding of the climbing community.​

 

Services Provided

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• Concept development and 3D visualisation, including the latest VR headset technology—enabling clients to walk through their project during the design phase (hugely helpful for imagining scale!)

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• Collaborative design with architects and engineers​

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• Drawings and specifications for tendering  

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• Budget estimation support 

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• Collaboration with your choice of wall builder 

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• Detailed construction and CNC fabrication information for self build projects​

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• Climbing-specific layout planning (bouldering, lead, speed, top-out, training zones)

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• Integration of community amenities including cafés, retail spaces, and social areas