NikeLab Chicago
NikeLab Chicago Re-Creation Center c/o Virgil Abloh
In Summer 2019, Nike and Virgil Abloh brought to life the NikeLab Re-Creation Center in Chicago, a temporary cultural hub that fused design, sustainability, mentorship, and local creative energy into one immersive experience. Located on Michigan Avenue, the center operated from May 31 to July 28, and was built to spotlight Virgil’s love of Chicago—its culture, history, and creative pulse. Nike.com+2Hypebae+2
As a project with strong social purpose, the Re-Creation Center offered:
Workshops & Mentorship programs, led by Chicago creatives handpicked by Virgil (graphic designers, photographers, fabric designers, brand & identity folks, architects). Ten young creatives got an eight-week immersive mentorship. Wallpaper*+2Hypebae+2
Hands-on community programming: panels, public workshops, creative talks, all grounded in Chicago’s cultural identity. Newcity Design+1
Sustainability built in: through Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe initiative transforming worn footwear into Nike Grind materials; visible use of that recycled material in fixtures, flooring, and in the design of a community basketball court to open with All-Star 2020. Wallpaper*+1
Curated product releases & merchandising tied to the local community’s taste, exclusive product drops, and give-back features. Hypebae
My Role & Impact
Environmental design & sustainability oversight: I worked with Nike’s North America Retail Design team alongside Virgil Abloh’s creative direction to ensure all components—fixtures, walls, flooring, overall environment—leveraged recycled / repurposed materials (industrial scrap, Nike Grind).
Cross-disciplinary coordination: I coordinated vendors, fabrication teams, design studios, and internal retail design teams to bring the aesthetic and functional experience alive while maintaining brand integrity and sustainability targets.
Creative alignment & storytelling: I helped shape the narrative of the space: Virgil’s Chicago roots, the cultural heritage, the “portal to the world” idea of Michigan Avenue, reusing materials, engaging youth through mentorship—all reflected in the environment.