This urban rock climbing gym in Chicago’s West Loop was designed to create a community where being active stimulates innovation by blending climbing with art, culture, music, and entrepreneurship. Brooklyn Boulders Chicago is located in a hot spot for tech companies and innovators, and allows members who aren’t already in the facility’s collaborative workspace to pop in for a workout or informal meeting. At 25,000 square feet, it is one of the largest indoor climbing facilities in the Midwest; comprised of free-climb bouldering walls, 50-foot roped walls, fitness equipment, yoga, and an active collaborative workspace.
The design reflects the client—a company steeped in the urban traditions of Brooklyn—and represents the “outdoor business casual” lifestyle of the climbing community. Seamlessly blending adventure, creativity, and performance, this is where work and play collide. The “Active Collaborative Workspace” is a signature component of the gym’s brand and is where climbers and local start-ups can interface. This space is perched above the bouldering wall at the mezzanine level and is furnished with balance balls, large tables, and standing desks with chin-up bars to promote constant physical activity.
The facility is an adaptive reuse of two adjacent church buildings, and large wood trusses in the reception area are a reminder of the building’s history. The original skylight was also preserved to bring natural light deep into the space. The open feel achieved in the climbing areas gives the facility a welcoming, communal atmosphere and is endlessly flexible, providing enough space for performances and events. Adding to the fun, funky atmosphere, a crew of artists and graffiti wizards created large-scale murals and artwork that is integrated throughout the space—from eye level to far above the floor, making creativity ever-present to a client base that feeds off innovation.
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