Vertical Solutions
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BKB Boston

Boston, MA

ARC Bouldering Roped Autobelay Bouldering Flooring Roped Flooring

Brooklyn Boulders facilities are the nation’s premier climbing gyms in major metropolitan areas, and Vertical Solutions has lent design and manufacturing support to BKB’s locations in New York City, Boston, Chicago. BKB’s brand focuses on providing more than a place for rock climbing, including working and collaboration spaces, music and arts, and even TED Talks, creating cultures that resonate deeply with urban populations. Located in the up-and-coming Somerville neighborhood, BKB Boston features a 40,000-square-foot floor plan with 28,000 square feet of climbing, training and yoga classes, three oversized community workspaces, and lounges.

A good overview of much of the facility, it’s hard to believe that there is plenty more not viewable in this image. Seen here is the famous “tongue”, intimidatingly high rope climbing walls and frighteningly high bouldering walls. This facility literally has room for everyone, and most types of activities beyond climbing like slack-lining, skateboarding and parkour.
A head-on image of just one of the many rope climbing walls that makes up the 28,000 sq. ft. of climbing this facility has to offer. Obvious from this perspective is the natural birch panels and grain orientation that creates the argyle pattern that VS is known for.
A ground view of how intimidating the “tongue” is at this facility. For lead climbing only, this distinct and wonderful feature requires committing moves. From this angle you can see where curved ARC walls from Vertical Solutions have a distinct advantage over our competitors geometric systems.
From the bottom of a long lead route on these curved ARC walls, the route seems easily doable. What climbers don’t anticipate is the gradual but challenging increase in overhang angle, which the ARC design masks so easily.
One of BKBs most distinct characteristics is the use of color and art throughout their facilities. The Somerville location is no different as they opted for a deep color stain on certain wall features to go along with their branding and graffiti on the walls surrounding the climbing.
A view not many will experience, the overhung moves at the top of the “tongue” feature are super fun, and the design as a whole gives the rope-climbing walls a focal point.
BKB is known for hosting some of the best events in town, and they made sure all of their facilities are equipped to handle and entertain all of their members who turn out. It’s part of the BKB DNA that creates social spaces surrounding the sport of climbing.
Having 24’ tall bouldering walls means comps attract only the fearless. As with all community events BKB provides, spectating is top-notch thanks to a floor plan and wall design that was scrutinized with this criteria in mind, well ahead of time.
A good detail image showing how flowing and smooth the ARC walls at BKB gyms are in person. Edges and joints are put through lengthy inspection, and treated with obsessive detail.
A more close up perspective on how deceiving the curvature of some ARC wall designs at BKB can be.
An up-close detail shot of how the birch top-layer panels are expertly curved and seamlessly joined to create the 3D effect Vertical Solutions is best known for.
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A good overview of much of the facility, it’s hard to believe that there is plenty more not viewable in this image. Seen here is the famous “tongue”, intimidatingly high rope climbing walls and frighteningly high bouldering walls. This facility literally has room for everyone, and most types of activities beyond climbing like slack-lining, skateboarding and parkour.