Building affordable rental housing in Chicago has long been a challenging endeavor, often hindered by cost and a lack of creative architectural designs.
However, the recent groundbreaking of Jigzibik, a $34 million, 45-unit affordable rental building, offers a fresh perspective worth examining.
Targeted towards the city’s Native American renters, Jigzibik’s design uniquely integrates elements of indigenous history and culture into the construction of affordable housing.
The project’s name itself, Jigzibik — a Potawatomi word meaning “at the river’s edge” — was selected by the Native American Advisory Council, signifying a deeper connection to the historical ties of indigenous peoples to the Chicago River.
Located at 2909 W. Irving Park Road, roughly half a mile from the river’s North Branch, this building is poised to reflect the vibrancy and presence of Native American culture.
“I think they wanted a building that feels contemporary but is also culturally expressive,” remarked Jaime Torres Carmona, founder and principal of the architecture firm Canopy, which designed Jigzibik.
It is clear that the design aims to celebrate a community often overlooked in housing developments.
This initiative is particularly significant as it marks Chicago’s inaugural affordable housing project specifically focused on the Native American community.
Shelly Tucciarelli, founder of Visionary Ventures — a nonprofit organization advocating for affordable housing and economic improvements for Native Americans in the city — noted the establishment of a Native American advisory council aimed at ensuring culturally relevant design and strong community involvement.
This approach stands in contrast to a troubling history where Native American symbols and names were often appropriated for places that did not serve or represent indigenous people.
Instead, Jigzibik’s mission is to provide housing that uplifts and supports the Native American community.
Architectural renderings portray Jigzibik as an aesthetically striking, seven-story building, complete with a rooftop community space and garden.
The building’s facade showcases a serrated, five-bay design, granting apartments east-facing balconies that are designed to maximize morning light.
“Very relevant because it’s the beginning of the new day, and it’s to be celebrated,” added Tucciarelli, who is a member of Wisconsin’s Oneida nation.
The design also reflects cultural practices, with the balconies providing tenants the opportunity for outdoor spaces to perform traditional activities like burning sage.
During community input sessions, residents emphasized the importance of such cultural traditions in the design process.
Incorporating vibrant colors reminiscent of the ceremonial jingle dress, worn by women across many Native American cultures, the balconies will be painted in hues of yellow and blue.
An eye-catching graphic, rendered in reflective blue glazed brick and shaped like the meandering Chicago River, will adorn the building’s face.
This feature serves as a way-finding tool that not only guides individuals to the building entrance but also artfully represents the river’s significance while emphasizing its connection to the indigenous community.
Beyond aesthetic design, the influence of Native American culture is integrated throughout, with the top and bottom floors planned for community and gallery functions inspired by the long spacious design of Iroquois longhouses.
According to Torres Carmona, the longhouse symbolizes a gathering space, providing a communal area for socializing and bonding among residents.
A land-blessing ceremony held on July 11 marked the commencement of construction on this important project.
The building will consist of 10 studio apartments, 15 one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedrooms, and 10 three-bedroom units, with three designated for those transitioning out of homelessness.
Tucciarelli informed that interest in Jigzibik has already been expressed by approximately 165 families.
While targeted at the Native American community, Tucciarelli emphasized that application is open to potential tenants of all ethnicities.
Public funding has played a vital role in making this project possible, with subsidies covering a substantial portion of Jigzibik’s total cost, including $6 million from the Chicago Department of Housing and $2.5 million in low-income housing tax credits.
Despite challenges, Tucciarelli highlighted the determination that drove the project to fruition, remarking, “It’s expensive… but we weren’t gonna stop until it was completed and until we got to the closing table.”
Looking to the future, Tucciarelli noted that the coalition of Native American leaders and community members behind Jigzibik aims to pursue additional housing projects, including residences for older adults.
Ongoing assessments address the needs of the homeless community and the broader housing needs, guiding future developments.
Tucciarelli expressed a shared vision within the community for intergenerational housing, stating, “We’re storytellers.
To be able to continue to tell the stories and bring it on to the next generation and the next generation is vital, as we’re always thinking seven generations ahead.”
image source from：chicago
