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Technology and design became intertwined in the best way when Chipman Design Architecture teamed up with Puttshack for their newest location in St. Louis, Missouri. Known for their upscale, tech-infused minigolf facilities, restaurants, and unique cocktails, Puttshack really wanted to capture that nightclub vibe for their newest venue. All of this would be extra challenging, because the CDA team would need to adaptively reuse a space not usually known for nightlife - an abandoned steel factory.
The Puttshack project is a great example of multiple levels of reuse. The site is located at City Foundry STL - a retail, entertainment, and creative workspace environment located within an abandoned steel foundry. Besides being part of the larger reuse project, the location that was to become Puttshack was originally slated to be a different entertainment venue with a completely different infrastructure. CDA and the Puttshack team worked seamlessly to adapt the space and make sure the designs captured the interesting aspects of the location, as well as the fun, upscale vibes of Puttshack St. Louis.
The uniqueness of the location helped inspire designers to incorporate a significant portion of the original building materials and finishes as well as the steel fabricating equipment located inside the space. High end materials and rich wood millwork were added to elevate the industrial nature of the location. Rich jewel tone accents create an additional juxtaposition between the industrial nature of the foundry and mini golf environments. The whole design works together to create a unique sensibility that customers can enjoy the moment they walk into the venue.
The theme of uniqueness was carried throughout the project with the lighting and signage. A 14-foot diameter light fixture was createdas a striking focal point above the central octagonal bar. Our team of engineers were brought in to confirm that the nearly 100-year-old structure could support the weight of this massive fixture, and that the mechanical system could handle the added heat of over 900 individual LED bulbs. CDA also coordinated with our engineers on the placement of an 8-foot high by 30-foot-long roof sign that can be seen from the nearby elevated highway.
This was CDA’s second Puttshack location, and each has been both interesting and unique projects - and a lot of fun to see come to fruition. By working together with the Puttshack team and project engineers, CDA was able to adaptively reuse a space that had been vacant for some time and turn it into St. Louis’ newest entertainment destination.
