Kipnis Architecture + Planning

10/05/2026

We are deeply honored that Evanston’s First Passive House has been recognized with the 2026 Lerch Bates People’s Choice Award for Single Family New Construction, presented by Aia Chicago.

Because this award is decided by public vote, it holds a meaningful place for our studio. It reaffirms our belief that high-performance design—certified Passive House, net positive, and all-electric—can seamlessly honor the character and historic fabric of an Evanston neighborhood.

This project was a true collaborative effort, and this recognition belongs to the entire team at NextHaus Alliance who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life.

It was a privilege to celebrate alongside Chicago’s design community at Designight 2026, catching up with trusted NextHaus Alliance partners like Catherine McKenna Langan of Sierra Pacific Windows and sharing the evening with industry icons like Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees!!

For a closer look at the design and its impact, hear AIA Chicago Executive Director Jen Masengarb, Assoc AIA, break down the project on Fox 32 Chicago’s Good Day Chicago.

(Link to the YouTube segment in the comments below.)

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09/16/2026

I have a quick favor — today's the last day to vote for our Evanston Passive House in the AIA Chicago People's Choice Awards, and every single vote counts. It takes about 30 seconds: go to https://aiachicago.org/2026-evanstons-first-passive-house/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUOrfFwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4jfX314KAK3G5jM_NujTPiXKWfVI9SShnpiMVw9UCSN6B3bjpkqi6gXWWhwQ_aem__O-gFkl-wj8D9C-izjPe1A and pick "Evanston's First Passive House." Voting ends 11:59 tonight. Would mean a lot to us — thank you, and please pass it along to anyone who'd be up for it!

The future of sustainable architecture lives in our neighborhoods. Architecture must respond to the past, present, and future through resilient design—even in single-family homes.

Putting that theory into practice is what makes Evanston’s First Passive House so special, and why we’re honored it’s an AIA Chicago Lerch Bates People’s Choice Award finalist in Single Family, New Construction!

While this home has received wonderful recognition from design juries, a vote from our community means just as much.

Tucked into a listed historic district in Evanston, this all-electric residence pairs low-carbon construction with passive building science. Every detail—from its storm-resilient foundation to its aging-in-place interior layout—turns complex performance standards into an inviting, human-centered home.

This project represents a true collaborative effort alongside our partners at NextHaus Alliance, bringing holistic, climate-ready expertise to every layer of the build.

Turning building science into a home people love is the real win. We would be so grateful for your support!

Cast your vote via the link: https://aiachicago.org/2026-evanstons-first-passive-house/

09/08/2026

The future of sustainable architecture lives in our neighborhoods. Architecture must respond to the past, present, and future through resilient design—even in single-family homes.

Putting that theory into practice is what makes Evanston’s First Passive House so special, and why we’re honored it’s an AIA Chicago Lerch Bates People’s Choice Award finalist in Single Family, New Construction!

While this home has received wonderful recognition from design juries, a vote from our community means just as much.

Tucked into a listed historic district in Evanston, this all-electric residence pairs low-carbon construction with passive building science. Every detail—from its storm-resilient foundation to its aging-in-place interior layout—turns complex performance standards into an inviting, human-centered home.

This project represents a true collaborative effort alongside our partners at NextHaus Alliance, bringing holistic, climate-ready expertise to every layer of the build.

Turning building science into a home people love is the real win. We would be so grateful for your support!

Cast your vote via the link: https://aiachicago.org/2026-evanstons-first-passive-house/

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

I was honored today to give a presentation with Jessica Saravia to Studio Gang's offices, here in Chicago and virtually to their studios in S.F., NYC and Paris. While I was there, I got to see their archive of amazing physical building models, including the Populus Hotel in Denver, a single piece of the Lincoln Park Pavilion from about 10 years ago, and just all of the wild models in their archive room.

08/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1E5aFg4p7b/

07/16/2026

As smoke from the Canadian wildfires impacts air quality across the Chicago area, it's a reminder that the air inside our homes matters just as much as the air outside.

Passive House design helps maintain cleaner indoor air through an airtight building envelope, continuous fresh-air ventilation, and high-performance filtration that reduces smoke, dust, pollen, and other airborne pollutants.

As wildfire smoke becomes more common, resilience isn't just about energy efficiency; it's about creating healthier homes.

07/10/2026

In this joint partnership between the Building Performance Knowledge Community (BPKC) and the Resilience and Disaster Response Community (RADR), Jessica Saravia, AIA and I will review historic cooling, heating, and resilience strategies and discuss how they can be used to amplify and expand the effectiveness of emerging technology for passive survivability and energy efficiency. By designing for aesthetics first, and then using modern HVAC and other solutions to overcome any inefficiencies second, we are doing ourselves, our clients, and our communities a grave disservice.

https://lnkd.in/gQN8iiVw

04/03/2026

I’m honored to be named one of Make It Better’s 2026 Eco Warriors by Better Magazine. To be recognized alongside environmental leaders like Jane Goodall and Bill Kurtis is truly humbling, and it’s especially meaningful to be included on the same list as former clients Doro Bush Koch and Tricia Reily Koch!

Grateful for the company, and for the continued momentum as we work toward a more resilient future. Take a look at the full list below:

https://better.net/philanthropy/environment/make-it-betters-2026-eco-warriors/

These eco warriors are making the world a better place with support from Make It Better Foundation.

01/15/2026

AI, schmAI. Real drawing is still a lot of fun!