Built on craft, science, and heart.
High-Performance Builders of Minnesota is more than a construction company - it’s a mission.
The Founder’s Story
High-Performance Builders of Minnesota was founded on Azad Lassiter’s passion for sustainable homebuilding and community impact. Azad’s love for building began young, shaped by summers spent on job sites working for his uncle’s construction company in Pennsylvania. While he was earning his Construction Management degree at John Brown University, he spent his summer breaks leading volunteers in repairing and building homes in communities that had been struck by natural disasters. That path eventually led him north, where he spent a year as a carpenter honing hands-on skills in Alaska with another non-profit organization.
His professional journey began where his heart was—in the nonprofit world. He returned to the same organization he worked for during college, this time as a leader, guiding teams of construction managers on projects all across the country. He later strengthened his technical expertise working with a high-end homebuilder in the Twin Cities, managing remodels and providing post-construction support.
Most recently, Azad spent over five years as a project manager for an affordable housing developer, building and renovating single-family homes for first-time homeowners. It was there that his passion for sustainable, equitable housing took root. He became a certified Passive House consultant and went on to oversee more Passive House projects than any other builder in Minnesota.
Now, Azad brings his experience full circle, merging craftsmanship, innovation, and heart to make high-performance homes more accessible. At High-Performance Builders of Minnesota, we believe that every homeowner deserves a space that supports their health, honors their values, and stands the test of time.
The Team
Azad Lassiter | Founder
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What sets Azad apart is simple: he doesn't want to build you a home, he wants to build you the best home. As Minnesota's most experienced certified Passive House builder, he brings rare technical depth to every project — and the refreshing honesty to tell you exactly what you need, at every price point. No upselling. No fluff. Just the right build for you. text goes here
Emily Lassiter
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With a decade of nonprofit marketing and development experience, Emily leads with relationships first. She is a connector, a visionary, and a cheerleader committed to building community — in business and beyond. Her expertise in strategic communications, client experience, and brand development ensures that every HPB relationship is built to last.
Chloe & Penelope
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Chloe and Penelope monitor the neighborhood activity from their favorite bay window - a post that recently received a high-performance upgrade, making it the undisputed best nap spot in the house. They are picky about treats but never about love. Adopted from Texas, Chloe appreciates the cooler temps of MN. Penelope, however, misses the heat and can be found lying belly-up in the sun during the summer.
Emily and Azad met in 2012 on a construction site, where Azad was teaching Emily how to install flooring so she could lead volunteers on a project. That first collaboration sparked a partnership that's grown through a decade of marriage, two kids, two dogs, and a shared love for the outdoors. With backgrounds in nonprofit work — Emily in marketing and development, Azad in construction and project management — they bring a balanced energy to both life and business. Everything they do together is grounded in a shared heart for strengthening communities.
The Partnership
We're building more than homes. We're building a cooperative community of high-performance trade professionals — builders, architects, carpenters, and contractors — with a particular commitment to elevating BIPOC and women-owned businesses. We believe the trades are stronger when resources, stakes, and opportunities are shared equitably. HPB Minnesota is the start of something bigger.
Building something bigger.
Ready to build your dream home?
Let's start with a conversation. Our free one-hour consultation is the first step toward a home built for comfort, health, and lasting value.