The new five-story Broadway Youth Center (BYC), designed by Wheeler Kearns Architects, is now open at 1023 W. Irving Park Road in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. The new facility greatly increases the scope and size of the non-profit’s comprehensive social and healthcare services for Chicago’s LGBTQI+ youth.
Sited on a narrow lot at a vibrant intersection with an El station immediately behind it, the building serves as a welcoming, inclusive beacon for the community. The 20,000-sf facility quadruples the physical footprint of the organization and arranges the programs vertically, including a health clinic, a pharmacy, a cafe, day-time community spaces, and private spaces for counseling, career, and social services.
Staff at a reception desk greet clients upon entry in the context of a cafe, where they can sit while they wait for services. Several Chicago LGBTQ artists and allies will soon install new murals that represent the community’s creative, youthful, and energetic spirit in this space, as well.
The building’s street facade is a quilt composed of masonry panels in varying hues and textures that wrap around the building. Punched windows at the lower floors allow each clinic space and office to receive natural light. Large expanses of windows allow for panoramic views from gathering rooms and drop-in spaces on the upper floors. At the rear of the building a video installation projects video artwork reflecting BYC’s mission onto upper-story double height windows at night.
Related Stories
Contractors | Jul 29, 2015
Consensus Construction Forecast: Double-digit growth expected for commercial sector in 2015, 2016
Despite the adverse weather conditions that curtailed design and construction activity in the first quarter of the year, the overall construction market has performed extremely well to date, according to AIA's latest Consensus Construction Forecast.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 23, 2015
David Adjaye unveils design for pediatric cancer treatment center in Rwanda
The metallic, geometric façade is based on the region’s traditional Imigongo art.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 22, 2015
Best of healthcare design: 8 projects win AIA National Healthcare Design Awards
Montalba Architects' prototype mobile dental unit and Westlake Reed Leskosky's modern addition to the Cleveland Clinic Brunswick Family Health Center highlight the winning projects.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 8, 2015
From Subway to Walgreens, healthcare campuses embrace retail chains in the name of patient convenience
Most retail in healthcare discussions today are focused on integrating ambulatory care into traditional retail settings. Another trend that is not as well noted is the migration of retailers onto acute care campuses, writes CBRE Healthcare's Craig Beam.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 6, 2015
The main noisemakers in healthcare facilities: behavior and technology
Over the past few decades, numerous research studies have concluded that noise in hospitals can have a deleterious effect on patient care and recovery.
University Buildings | Jun 29, 2015
Ensuring today’s medical education facilities fit tomorrow’s healthcare
Through thought-leading design, medical schools have the unique opportunity to meet the needs of today’s medical students and more fully prepare them for their future healthcare careers. Perkins+Will’s Heidi Costello offers five key design factors to improve and influence medical education.
Sponsored | Healthcare Facilities | Jun 23, 2015
Texas eye surgery center captures attention in commercial neighborhood
The team wanted to build an eye surgery center in an already established area but provide something clean and fresh compared to neighboring buildings.
Healthcare Facilities | Jun 16, 2015
Heatherwick’s design for cancer center branch has ‘healing power’
The architect describes it as “a collection of stepped planter elements”
Healthcare Facilities | May 27, 2015
Roadmap for creating an effective sustainability program in healthcare environments
With a constant drive for operational efficiencies and reduction of costs under an outcome-based healthcare environment, there are increasing pressures to ensure that sustainability initiatives are not only cost effective, but socially and environmentally responsible. CBRE's Dyann Hamilton offers tips on establishing a strong program.
Healthcare Facilities | May 27, 2015
Rochester, Minn., looks to escape Twin Cities’ shadow with $6.5 billion biotech development
The 20-year plan would also be a boon to Mayo Clinic, this city’s best-known address.