Meet Lisa Elkins

Lisa is a licensed architect and LEED Accredited Professional with more than fifteen years of architectural experience in Chicago, San Francisco and London.  In 2006, Lisa founded 2 Point Perspective, an eco-architectural and interior design firm which works in both the residential and commercial sectors. Lisa has also worked as a furniture designer and an architectural writer, and has taught architectural design at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Q+A

What inspires you? 

Amazing spaces inspire me! When most people think of architecture, they think of a building’s exterior… but the spaces inside a well designed building are where the spatial experience comes to life. Awe-inspiring,mesmerizing spaces - both small and large- are what make me excited to be an architect.

Who do you admire? 

I deeply admire many of our clients. They have dreams and ambitions… and they have the courage to pursue them. I guess that means we have some seriously badass clients! 

It’s particularly cool that we’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of women. Recently we’ve been designing a modern, eco-friendly house for a woman in Cincinnati…. and we’re currently working on a house for a woman here in Chicago that will produce more energy than it uses. Women business owners are awesome too, and we’ve been honored to design everything from tech offices to truffle shops with women at the helm.

What do you know for sure?

Life is an ever-evolving journey…

At age 31, I was blind-sided by the news that I needed immediate open-heart surgery for the removal of a large tumor. I immediately gained a new perspective on life. In an instant, I could see with absolute clarity what was important and what was not. It was powerful- but it was also scary.

The clarity of that big picture vision not only led me to found 2 Point Perspective, but to ensure that ‘perspective’ was in the company’s name.

In the nearly nine years since my recovery I have lost that perspective a few times, but I’ve learned that you must step back, reassess, then move on… sometimes in a whole new direction! I’ve also learned that evolution can be fun.

I’ve never tried to hide the 9" scar that I see as a symbol of strength and victory. It’s also a great reminder to 'embrace the journey’.

What is your favorite place to travel to? 

I love, love, love (did I say love?) to travel. I’ve been to nearly 40 countries, and I love learning about my own life by seeing how others do things differently. My favorite trips have been a combination of adventure, learning, and food… with a bit of relaxation thrown in. If forced to pick a favorite, I’d say Thailand. But Brazil, Greece, and India are close contenders. 

What makes you laugh? 

Ron! He is my husband and business partner, so we see a LOT of each other… and he still makes me laugh every day. He’s in danger, though, of having to share the spotlight. Our 3 year-old and 1 year-old daughters are up to some pretty funny antics these days.

Want more? Lisa is on Facebook and LinkedIn, and to see what 2 Point is up to check out the firm’s LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Photo Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis Photography