SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood’s rise nation
all images courtesy of SOFTlab

 

 

 

new york city’s lucas werthein and marcelo pontes were commissioned by rise nation in west hollywood to produce a permanent installation. the client, a climbing conditioning studio founded by celebrity trainer jason walsh, wanted something to aid with his high-impact fitness regiments. the duo collaborated with SOFTlab to create an immersive spatial environment that parallels the gym’s workouts visually.  

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
seams in the panels create a complex pattern from the pixel grid

 

 

 

the result is a sculptural ceiling panel that functions on two levels. when the lights are on, the irregular surface invokes the feeling of being under a rocky terrain. then, when the workout begins, the panel comes alive using LEDs to electrify the space. precise gaps allow the reflected light from the LEDs to pass through in irregular ways creating an animated surface programmed to accompany different soundtracks played during workouts. 

video courtesy of SOFTlab

 

 

 

by using an irregular surface with a low-res pixel grid, they were able to achieve intricate patterns that would have required a much more complex LED array. the panel is made of a custom aluminum frame containing 160 cells, that was then flat-packed and assembled on-site.

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
the installation has custom behaviors to accompany music during workouts 

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
the panel fully lit

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
close up of panel seams

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
edge detail of the ceiling installation 

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
the LED grid has full RGB color range

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
during installation

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
panels being installed

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
the LED light is reflected through the seams off of glossy white infill panels 

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
axon of the overall installation grid

SOFTlab creates immersive climbing experience in hollywood's rise nation
panel assembly

 

 

project details: 

 

direction & production: Lucas Werthein, Marcelo Pontes
producer: Jihye Ku
sculpture design: SOFTlab
software engineer: Igal Nassima
fabrication: machinemade

 

 

designboom has received this project through its ‘DIY submissions’ feature, which welcomes readers to submit their own work for publication. see more designboom readers submissions here.