Green Hero of Chicago-Lisa Elkins: Redesigning Chicago’s Sustainability

All around the nation there’s a buzz in the air. No, it’s not regarding the scandalous affair of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. Nor is it about the unexpected death of legendary Michael Jackson. No. The real buzz—the buzz that haunts our dreams and drains our bank accounts is the constant reminder of our failing economy. I know, sick of it yet? But, good news, there just might be a simple solution in sight. GreenWerks’ latest Green Hero of Chicago, Lisa Elkins, shows that going green can also mean saving green.

Owner of the innovative and environmentally responsible architectural company, 2 Point Perspective, Lisa Elkins works to combat the environmental issues as well as homeowners’ economical woes by designing more sustainable buildings that can cut energy bills in half. As an accredited LEED professional, she can insure the proper and most efficient design of your home or business. Having lived in both San Francisco and London, two cities with very modern understandings of the planet and our personal responsibilities, Lisa brings alternate ideas to enhance Chicago’s green community. She wants Chicagoans to think differently as she did stating, “Once you learn what your business is doing to the environment, you want to change it.”

“There are huge impacts—LEED research has helped prove it,” she claims in response to consumers’ resistance to environmentally sustainable living. With today’s struggling economy, people are finally starting to make the smarter decision: “people are more willing to invest in their home—it’s smart right now, who knows where the stock market will lead you, but investing in homes is proven savings,” Lisa urges.

As far as green being the new black, Lisa shoots down this idea that sustainable design is a mere fad. As education spreads, “more people are getting interested,” she claims with a definite display of confidence. “Enough people are making a shift that soon everyone must make the shift—it is not a fad.”

Currently working on a green restaurant and GreenChoice Bank, Lisa not only looks to offer more sustainable building practices but also offers a fresh and modern style to her spaces. She demonstrates an aesthetically appealing design that is bright and welcoming while telling its inhabitants and visitors of its natural origins.

Lisa urges Chicagoans to look out for the Green Exchange, an environmental building and marketplace that is currently being built. She explains its crucial impacts on Chicago’s green community as it will be a much needed meeting place for Chicagoans looking to get involved in their local environment as people will actually be able to see these sustainable practices put into effect. For Lisa, no buzz of a fallen pop star or even a dwindling economy is bigger than the hopeful prospects of Chicago quickly getting a little greener.

GreenWerks has chosen various environmental activists/enthusiasts of Chicago that we will be featuring every Friday for the next few weeks. These people were chosen based on their ongoing dedication to impact Chicago’s green community. We will be highlighting some of the people that we, at GreenWerks, feel need to be recognized and appreciated in our newest blog series GreenWerks Green Heroes of Chicago.

Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:

1. Center for Green Tech- Chicago Green Homes Fair
2. Chicago Green Home Fair
3. Chicago Green Festival- We have a booth!
4. Sustainability Efforts at SXSW
5. Green Hero of Chicago-Jen Khatchatrian: Mom on a Mission

One Response to “Green Hero of Chicago-Lisa Elkins: Redesigning Chicago’s Sustainability”

1. Frank Roberts says:

   August 5, 2009 at 7:47 pm

   How true it is. I saved myself a lot of “green” by building and installing my own solar panels for my home. I have cut my electric bill by 50%, added approximately $6,000 to my homes value, and I had a blast learning how to do it. It was easy and so much fun that I posted a blog to show everybody how to build your own solar panel.