In 1967 Howard founded his own highly successful firm BAR, which developed a wide range of housing projects. Most notably, their design for Delancy Street Foundation in San Fancisco, an innovative and highly successful rehabilitation institute, has own many awards for the humanitarian services is provides. Most of Howard’s work on the project was done pro bono as a service to the community.

In 1996 he started an entirely new firm, today known as Backen & Backen. Along with his wife, Ann Ernish Backen, the multifaceted design firm leads the design industry by creating legacy buildings that manifest health and wellbeing in Land, Building, and Body. Throughout his career, Howard has believed in building community today with tomorrow in mind.