Ants on a Log Café & Valley Rock Gym
The Perfect Café for a Local Rock Climbing Gym
The building known as the Tibet House sat vacant for years in downtown Corvallis until a group of adventurous friends saw a way to create a place for the community. The vision included an indoor rock climbing gym, a yoga studio, and a healthy café. The owners approached us to remodel the full exterior and design the new café. We used T&G boards from various species from Starker Forest Lumber, Luxury Vinyl Plank floor, bright quartz counters, and fun pops of color to mimic elements of the outdoor spaces that surround Corvallis. The upper portion was covered in 2 different colors of siding from Nakamoto & the lower portion was covered in Cultured Stacked Stone to break up the exterior and create texture. The east and south-facing awnings showcase a beautiful T&G wood ceiling, highlighting the new signage for the café and gym. The finished design is a transformation inside and out.
“As a long-time Corvallis resident, it was a joy to design a project that not only benefited my immediate clients but also the community as a whole. Working so closely with Ants on a Log Cafe and the Valley Rock Gym, it was clear that they are passionate about sustainability and supporting other local businesses. ”
Sarah Maisel, Senior Designer
Project Details
Locally Sourced Materials
Using T&G chinkapin boards along the entry and maple boards at the front counter from Starker Forest Lumber gave the café a personal touch. Mixing the various grains and wood species creates a beautiful and natural texture that looks amazing. It's a warm and inviting space with a unique view.
Thoughtful Exterior Design
To break up the exterior and create texture, the upper portion was covered in 2 different finishes of siding from Nakamoto with the lower portion covered in Cultured Stacked Stone. The east and south-facing awnings showcase a beautiful T&G wood ceiling to highlight the new signage for the café and gym.
Connection to the Rock Climbing Gym
These large windows at the bar seating area allow customers of Ants on a Log Cafe to enjoy viewing the climbers of the new rock climbing gym and plan out new climbing routes.
What our Clients are Saying
See the Riverside Farmhouse Remodel project“Throughout the project, Sarah did an incredible job of listening to our vision and guided our decisions with her extensive design experience. G. Christianson consistently provided excellent materials, work, communication, and, moreover, they became our friends throughout the process. They used only superior quality products throughout our home, made sure all systems and structures throughout were constructed to meet or exceed code standards, and took the initiative to provide superior construction techniques even where it wouldn't show. The custom cabinetry and carpentry throughout is top quality and beautiful. The result is exactly the dream home we've always wanted! Sarah, Tanner, and the GCC team created a gorgeous, comfortable space where our family can grow for decades. It was an incredible two-year experience with the GCC family.”
“The family of five having traveled all over the globe and resided in over a half-dozen different countries, wanted their new home to have a clean, modern aesthetic for a perfect complement to their eclectic collection of world art. The L-shaped house wraps embraces a large garden terrace. Expansive windows and doors flood every room with generous daylight and views of the garden. This is especially evident in the open plan great room, where tall ceilings, a restrained material palette of luscious wood floors, quartz countertops and windowsills, and bright blue-painted kitchen cabinetry are highlighted by instances of rusted steel wall panels and art niches custom-painted by one of their daughters. ”
Jan Fillinger, Architect
See the Spring Street Rebuild project
“We have been very happy with the work done by G. Christianson Construction on our somewhat unusual project. They have done a great job with a lot of attention to detail and have offered several suggestions that improved the final result. I heartily recommend them.”
Ernie Colantonio - Corvallis
