our story

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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 sills 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.