Urbánika: Adapted Gym

Designed for users with disabilities, this gym in Chihuahua, México, is a low-budget building conceived to integrate all users with a mix of sports, social and cultural activities.

Urbánika, Adapted Gymnasium, Chihuahua, México
The Adapted Gymnasium in Chihuahua, México is specially designed by Urbánika for users with disabilities; the main challenge is to integrate all users with a mix of sports, social and cultural activities.
It has a multipurpose court for basketball, volleyball, boccia, goalball, karate and quad rugby.
Urbánika, Adapted Gymnasium, Chihuahua, México
Urbánika, Adapted Gymnasium, Chihuahua, México. Photo © Archivio Urbánika

A weight room is integrated next to the court as means to incorporate all users to the same space. A loop of ramps organizes the project, turning the sometimes complexity of movement into a ludic architectural promenade.

A multipurpose hall is used for dancing and karate lessons as well as social gatherings. Bleachers are designed in a democratic manner where wheelchair users can park in several different levels and enjoy the activities with their companions.

There’s a linear viewing platform that doubles as a stage that can be adapted for different activities by the users. Administration and services complete the program.

Urbánika, Adapted Gymnasium, Chihuahua, México
Urbánika, Adapted Gymnasium, Chihuahua, México. Photo © Archivio Urbánika

Raw materials and exposed installations and ductwork reduce construction and maintenance costs aimed to meet a restricted budget; while vibrant colors are used to help vision impairment users find their way throughout the gym. Visual ending points of natural light also guide pathways.

A gym inside a park, the shape of the plan responds to movements around existing trees and by planting new ones, the gym will ‘disappear’ behind grown vegetation within a few years.


Adapted Gym, Chihuahua, México
Program: gym
Architects: Urbánika (Federico Campos, Oscar Chávez)
Collaborators: Erika Hernández, Humberto Mendoza, Maria Isabel González, Mariana Enríquez, Ariana de la Garza
Structural engineering: Mario Aragón
Plants engineering: Myrna Ortega
Area: 1,083 sqm
Completion: 2014

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