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THE
BROWN ELEPHANT
5404
N. Clark St., Chicago, IL
www.HowardBrown.org
CHALLENGE:
In
order to further support their health and wellness organization, The
Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) wished to convert The Calo, a 1915
Ascher Brothers Movie Theater, into a signature satellite of their
resale shop franchise, The Brown Elephant. Though HBHC wished to remain
sensitive to the The Calo’s fundamental foundations, the theater,
nonetheless, had to undergo significant conversion as the original
layout was not conducive to retail sales and the mechanical, electrical
and climate control systems were outdated and inefficient. However, as
a non-profit, HBHC’s resources were limited; a lengthy and
overly-involving renovation was not in the budget, and the store had to
be ready for business as soon as possible.
SOLUTION:
Evocative
of its era’s noir, the existing theater proscenium, plaster, paint and
statuary were left intact—instilling a deconstructed, albeit nostalgic,
look to the new resale shop—a ramp was built through the center of the
sales floor, and more fire exits were added, so that the store could
one day easily revert back to a theater. Since the original 1915 air
conditioning system, running through the floor, had long since been
abandoned and rendered useless, a new, efficient heating, air
conditioning and ventilation system was installed in the trusses above
the plaster ceiling, and new electrical service was brought into the
building at ground level. Simple openings were placed into the
mezzanine, giving office staff a clear view of the entire store.
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The
Brown Elephant
 
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