Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Elkins.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lisa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I started 2 Point Perspective in 2006 it was to create an architecture and interior design firm where clients could come for stunning design combined with intelligent building systems.
During these past eleven years, our team has had the honor of working with business owners, restaurateurs, salon owners, dentists, home owners, and more to create striking spaces and buildings.
2 Point’s story has a rather unique first chapter.
I had always dreamed of owning my own architectural practice, and my husband, Ron Elkins, and I had experience practicing in San Francisco and London. After relocating to Chicago in 2005, we were still settling in and it seemed like my goal was just a distant pipe dream.
I was enjoying teaching architecture at UIC and working as a furniture designer when I was confronted with the shocking news that I had a large tumor inside my heart. I learned that I needed immediate and highly invasive open heart surgery.
The perspective this news gave me was immeasurable. In an instant, I could clearly see that we only get one chance at living the life of our dreams. Armed with that powerful knowledge and with Ron’s support, I decided to launch my firm if the surgery was successful. (You’ve probably figured out by now that it was.)
Our architectural skill sets, combined with my love of working with people and Ron’s love of technology, turned out to be a great combination. Over the years we’ve added some talented team members, and at this point, we are proud to say that we have worked with hundreds of clients to create smart and attractive buildings.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
2 Point’s road to success has not been without a few struggles along the way. We were trained as architects, so learning how to run a business – while actually running the business and doing all the architectural work- was rough! It took a lot of time and energy… and we were working 80 hour weeks for the first 5 years! But overall it’s been incredibly rewarding.
When Ron and I added two daughters into our lives (each with less than 1 week of maternity leave), life became crazy, wonderful, and exhausting at the same time. Finding a balance was not easy, but I was determined to make it work. Now that we better understand the demands of parenting, we keep a stash of toys (and treats) at the office so that other parents can bring little ones along to meetings.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about 2 point perspective: Architecture + Interiors – what should we know?
At 2 Point, we are a team of people-pleasers, so we have become known for our service as well as our architectural knowledge. We love that our status as Self-Certified Architects allows our clients to get Chicago building permits quickly – in some cases we’ve gotten permits in less than 24 hours!
Clients also love that we have full service architecture and interior design under one roof. This is especially useful for fast-moving projects.
Many people know about our reputation for smart/ sustainable projects. We’ve had projects pursue LEED certification, Passive Haus certification, and even ‘Net Zero’ status. Savvy clients know that the incrementally higher up-front costs of building sustainable can turn out to be a solid investment, so we get a lot of requests for smart buildings.
In recent years, we have also become known for our “boutique medical” projects. Dentists, dermatologists, and others now realize that the layout and the look of their practices are key to their success. The offices we’ve designed for ORA Dental and ORA Oral Surgery, Innovative Express Care, and others have been getting a lot of attention. Doctors like the simplicity of having us handle everything from design through permitting and construction site visits, and we like giving them interesting and unique offices. It’s a great win-win.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
So many thank-you’s are due, it is hard to know where to start!
I am unabashedly proud of the team we have assembled at 2 Point. We have an amazingly friendly and highly competent crew, which is critical when clients are embarking on something as complex and lengthy as an architectural project.
First, I need to thank my husband and co-founder, Ron, who has put in many, many hours to make 2 Point what it is. He can hand-sketch the most ingenious floor plans, sometimes on the very first try! In addition to being a talented architect, he has about 75% of the zoning and building code memorized. He’s like a walking, talking code book… but much more entertaining.
I also owe a big shout out to our third partner, Emily Tjeerdsma, who is as bright as they come. She makes the daunting process of creating an architectural drawing set into an art form. Her love of order keeps us all in line, and her attention to detail is mind-boggling!
And our projects would not be nearly so eye-catching without Jenny Lewis-Jones (formerly Jenny Babcock), who is an interior design mastermind. Her capacity for creating jaw-dropping finish palettes takes projects from ‘nice’ to sensational. Her skill set as a sustainable materials specialist makes her a double threat!
A final ‘thanks’ goes out to Lindsay Suprenant who can probably build 3-d computer models in her sleep at this point! Clients love ‘seeing’ the space ahead of time, and once Lindsay has applied the finishes and paint colors, they can really get a feeling for how the building and the interior will feel.
This list would not be complete without thanking my parents, Mark and Rachel Richardson. So much of who I am is because of the lessons my parents took the time to share and the values they modeled. Drawing from the eternal optimism of my mother and the patient work ethic of my father has been invaluable in this journey.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1137 W. Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614 - Website: www.2PointPerspective.com
- Phone: 312-268-1822
- Email: lisa@2PointPerspective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2point_arch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2PointPerspective/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/2Point_Arch
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1000250/
Image Credit:
Laura Suprenant Photography
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