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
Healthcare Facilities | Nov 12, 2021
Centro Hospitalario Serena Del Mar is Safdie Architects’ first project in Latin America
The hospital project is characterized by its connectivity to nature.
Healthcare Facilities | Nov 2, 2021
Key design considerations for designing the smart patient room
The complete patient experience encompasses the journey to the hospital, the care experience, and the trip back home. All these touchpoints come with an expectation.
Cladding and Facade Systems | Oct 26, 2021
14 projects recognized by DOE for high-performance building envelope design
The inaugural class of DOE’s Better Buildings Building Envelope Campaign includes a medical office building that uses hybrid vacuum-insulated glass and a net-zero concrete-and-timber community center.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 22, 2021
The VA is updating what once was the main hospital on a Florida medical campus
The renovated Building One will provide outpatient services.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 21, 2021
UW Medical Center starts construction on Behavioral Health Teaching Facility
Will add much-needed patient bed capacity for Seattle.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 20, 2021
Ware Malcomb completes Princeton Longevity Center at 1 World Trade Center
The project is located on the 71st floor.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 6, 2021
Orléans Health Hub is Ottawa’s newest healthcare facility
HDR designed the project.
Healthcare Facilities | Oct 4, 2021
Saltzer Health Ten Mile Medical Campus completes in Meridian, Idaho
Cushing Terrell designed the project.
Healthcare Facilities | Sep 20, 2021
Wellness is now part of more colleges’ health services
New center at the University of Virginia unifies major health departments.
Giants 400 | Aug 30, 2021
2021 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S.
The 2021 Giants 400 Report includes more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.