Designed by climbers for climbers
Climbing wall design has evolved from hardcore climbers building their own 'woodies' into a sophisticated discipline governed by engineering standards, safety protocols, and creative innovation. Eldorado's design team brings several decades of both climbing and design experience to your project. We evaluate your space, your user's needs, and programming goals, to offer options within your budget. All of our walls meet Climbing Wall Association (CWA) and European EN standards.
Our design process:
1. Identify who will be using the climbing walls, programming goals, and climbing styles to be accommodated: bouldering, top-rope, and lead climbing.
2. Evaluate and assess the building: space dimensions, structural capacity, obstacles like HVAC ducts, entrances and exits.
3. Wall design and layout: a) wall angles - vertical sections for beginners, overhangs for advanced climbers, and varied features like arêtes, dihedrals, or volumes to add interest, b) ensure adequate space between climbing lanes, c) map out landing zones, traffic flow and social space and d) think about how routes can be set and changed over time, e) fall protection flooring layout is determined.
4. Structural engineering. Once the walls have been designed, they must be assessed to determine if existing walls can support climbing loads or if you need to build a freestanding structure.
5. Materials are chosen, colors are selected, equipment lists are finalized.
6. Drawings are developed for fabrication and installation. These 'shop drawings' drive all materials procurement, production of every part, and the exact way the climbing wall is assembled in the field.