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What was once an abandoned basketball court was transformed into a fitness complex with basketball courts, a dance studio, a running track and an open air soccier field! We took a cue from barrio residents themselves who find innovative ways to expand, and mobilized upwards.
- Urban Think-Tank, Architects of the Gimnasio Vertical prototype
The new prototype incorporates the use of recyclable materials, wind towers, solar panels, and rain water collection. The Vertical Gymnasium has also been introduced in the barrio Los Teques. The Los Teques gym is a new iteration of the original Urban ThinkTank prototype. This location is designed according to international standards of sport activities for people with reduced mobility and includes a 50-meter long swimming pool and seating for 500 spectators. Another vertical gymnasium in Ceiba incorporates a library and metrocable station and the El Dorado gym includes space for informal vendors. Based on the initial Chacao design, Urban Think-Tank has developed a building system kit of the prototype parts, which allows flexible design and construction. Stacked volumes are reassembled and programmed for different locations in response to local needs.28 32