Italy’s Vertikale Climbing Gym is Clad in an Intelligent Facade That Eliminates the Need for Cooling

The cubic <a href="http://www.vertikale.it/index.php?id=33" target="_blank">Vertikale Climbing Gym</a> in Brixen, Italy is more than just a place to get a great workout. Located within view of the Dolomites in northern Italy, this high-tech gym features an intelligent facade that eliminates the need for mechanical cooling. Designed by <a href="http://www.archmeraner.it/" target="_blank">Wolfgang Meraner Architekt</a> and architect <a href="http://stadtlabor.org/" target="_blank">Martin Mutschlechner</a> of <a href="http://www.stadtlabor.org/" target="_blank">StadtLABOR</a>, Vertikale has a semi-transparent energy-efficient facade that offers views of the mountains and town during the day. At night the gym lights glow and passersby can check out the climbers in action.

<a href="http://www.vertikale.it/index.php?id=33" target="_blank">Vertikale Climbing Gym</a> is located in a prominent location adjacent to Brixen's town square and a municipal park.

The almost cubic building measures 20 m long, 16 m wide, and 15.7 m high and it's clad in a high-tech facade.

<a href="http://www.archmeraner.it/" target="_blank">Wolfgang Meraner Architekt</a> and <a href="http://www.martinmutschlechner.com/" target="_blank">Martin Mutschlechner</a> of <a href="http://www.stadtlabor.org/" target="_blank">StadtLABOR</a> designed the building with aid from <a href="http://www.transsolar.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Transsolar</a>.

The semi-transparent design provides a great visual connection with the outdoors and the urban space.

This multi-layered facade works to provide natural daylighting during the day while minimizing solar heat gain and keeping the interior cool.

The building also features an energy-efficient climate control system that makes use of natural ventilation, high thermal mass and a geothermal system that eliminates the need for mechanical cooling.

At night, people on the outside can get a clear view of the action inside and will hopefully be inspired to check out the gym.

Inside the climbing gym.

The gym offers up a wide range of climbing facilities for a variety of techniques, skill building and competitions.

A bouldering area.

Outdoor climbing area.

View through the facade at night into the climbing area.

The semi-transparent intelligent facade is the key to its energy efficiency.