Black Hills Basecamp

The climbing gym occupies three bays of a four‑bay strip configuration, with the project delivered through a design‑build approach. Early collaboration was essential due to the tall open volumes, irregular wall geometries, and safety clearances that had to remain unobstructed by ductwork, conduit, and equipment. Climbing walls and anchor points limited overhead routing pathways, making early spatial planning critical.

From a mechanical standpoint, the engineering focus centered on managing large interior volumes, fluctuating occupancy, and airborne particulate from chalk-heavy activity. The HVAC system utilized gas‑fired furnace units paired with outdoor condensers, sized based on full‑building load modeling for the tall, unobstructed climbing environments. Air distribution strategies relied on high‑mounted ductwork and carefully positioned supply and return locations to avoid interference with climbing wall structures. 

LED lighting was coordinated extensively with architectural layouts to prevent conflicts with climbable surfaces and fall zones. Photometric performance considered both vertical and horizontal illuminance to ensure proper visibility on wall features while mitigating glare. 

Overall, the primary challenges of the project revolved around integrating MEP systems into a structure with limited above‑ceiling space and significant architectural obstructions introduced by climbing wall geometry. The design‑build delivery model allowed these challenges to be resolved efficiently through direct collaboration across trades.