Beacon of Pride: The Howard Brown Halsted Clinic

Founded in 1974 by a group of medical students, Howard Brown Health is one of the largest healthcare and research organizations specifically for the LGBTQ+ community. Throughout the years, the organization has provided healthcare and services including food, housing, jobs, and education through their clinics, the Broadway Youth Center, and Brown Elephant Resale Shops.

In response to a growing number of patients and programs, a five-story clinic was constructed in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood, enabling the organization to expand their services and patient capacity far beyond what their previous facility could support. The Howard Brown Halsted clinic now offers medical access, programming, and comprehensive treatment (including dentistry) to its patients.

Part of architectural lighting design is often communicating the heart of the client through light. For Howard Brown that meant creating designs that felt welcoming, inclusive, and joyful. This intent is particularly evident in the exterior design of the clinic.

Most nights you’ll see a rainbow of color uplighting the clinic’s brick façade, representing the identity of the organization and signaling that all are welcome within its doors. We did several studies and renderings for the exterior of the building and worked closely with Eckenhoff Saunders to design and develop a lighting solution that would not only provide clean architectural detail, but also opportunities for Howard Brown to celebrate holidays, events, and the everyday.

While Pride Month may be ending, the spirit of acceptance and inclusion continues, and can always be found at the Howard Brown Halsted clinic.