Design debuts for Chicago’s largest passive house affordable housing community

Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) has unveiled the design for Humboldt Park Passive Living, a four-story, all-electric building at 750 N. Avers Ave. in Chicago’s West Humboldt Park neighborhood.

Developed by 548 Capital, the project will bring 60 all-affordable apartments and 7,700 square feet of ground-floor retail to the community, including space planned for a grocery store and café. It is expected to become the largest building in Chicago constructed to meet Passive House standards, a performance-driven framework for dramatically reducing energy use while improving indoor comfort and air quality.

“This project reflects our belief that design is a social act and a tool for equity and resilience,” said Lesley Roth, AIA, AICP, LEED AP, Principal, Lamar Johnson Collaborative. “We designed this building to be deeply rooted in the West Humboldt Park community, not just to meet sustainability benchmarks, but to support equity, wellness and connection. We hope people see it as something created with craft, intention and a strong sense of place.”

The project’s design approach goes beyond technical proficiency. The building features a ground-level community space with floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a partially covered outdoor plaza, spaces intentionally designed to invite interaction and foster a sense of belonging. Upper-floor terraces double as communal gathering areas and rainwater collection zones, reinforcing the project's environmental mission while supporting resident well-being.

Apartments will include studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts, with 13 units reserved for residents with disabilities. The façade combines textured masonry with colorful metal accents, a nod to the neighborhood’s cultural character, while Passive House elements such as high-efficiency windows, super-insulated walls, rooftop solar panels and energy recovery ventilation help reduce utility costs and improve indoor air quality.

Humboldt Park Passive Living broke ground in May 2025, with completion expected in 2026.

About Lamar Johnson Collaborative:
Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC) is a full-service design and architecture firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience and to improving how design and architecture can impact each individual’s emotional being. By harnessing the power of integrated design, including architecture, workplace strategy, interior design, landscape architecture, urban planning and engineering, the company achieves its clients’ goals and aspirations.