Nike School Chicago
An unconventional “student center” for a mentorship program led by Nike that supported youth by bridging design, art, fashion, and creative direction.
Rethinking traditional collegiate gothic architectural features in unconventional materials like neon and metal, the design symbolized Nike’s new model for learning.
This project is the design of a “Student Union” for Nike School Chicago. Nike School: Chicago is a community of creators: teachers that have charted their own successful paths in creative industries, and students who are just starting theirs. Open to the public and located on the 5th floor of Nike's Michigan Ave. store, this space serves multiple purposes: an informal area for study hall, student meet-ups, programming, and retail. A large projection allows for the screening of Nike School Chicago’s digital learning content.
For the design, Future Firm used "collegiate gothic"-style elements, such as vaulted arches, reading room lamps, and bookshelves and transformed them through materiality and light. The new space features a trompe l’oeil-style illusion in its plan organization, and features neon, perforated steel, and chrome elements. This project builds on Future Firm’s 2019 experience with NikeLab c/o Virgil Abloh.
Info
Location: River North, Chicago
Client: NikeLab
Progress/Year: Completed, 2022
Team
Builder: Chicago Scenic
Photography: Daniel Kelleghan Photography
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