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
“To everyone at G. Christianson- thank you! We have loved working with every one of you on our "new" house. It is all perfect and you made it so. We are enjoying it very much. Anna- we could not have had a better Designer than you. You were amazing all the way through!! We love our new house. ”
Mark & Tammy Manning, via handwritten card
“Thank you for your work last summer. We continue to give out glowing recommendations!”
Arbor & Lynette, Corvallis
See the Cozy Cabin project“We felt our ideas were listened to, incorporated, and enhanced in the final plans. Elizabeth did a nice job adding architectural interest with the arch above the stove and continuing that feature in the new opening connecting the living room to dining space. Eliminating the wall between dining room & kitchen allowed for a much better flow addressing our desire for a more spacious-looking interior without adding additional space. The hot tub cover is a special feature that enhances our ability to use it daily. And creating a space for the washer/dryer in the house instead of the garage was a real win. ”
Kathy Chafin & Steve Wyatt, Corvallis, OR
See the Vibrant & Balanced Home Remodel project