Transplanting himself back to the Midwest after twenty years in California, designer, builder, and urban redeveloper Guy Bazzani worried that his ideas about environmentally friendly business might not take root. Part of the Rust Belt, Michigan’s economic hardships did not seem to promise fertile soil for the seeds of California dreams. But Guy has shown that a concern for eco-friendly business practices can generate profitable results. Bringing environmental practices to his architectural design, construction, and real estate services, Guy has restored landmark buildings, revitalized decaying neighborhoods, and created new economic opportunities in a part of the country many people had written off.
To sustain the environment and drive economic growth, Guy and his team adhere to what he calls the Triple Bottom Line:
- Economic Viability
- Social Responsibility
- Environmental Understanding
Following these tenets, Guy has proved that his projects ultimately increase his clients’ profits while improving the desirability of the surrounding neighborhood. For example, The East Hills Center of the Universe project – a blend of advanced green building technology combined with community-sensitive design – enhanced the business profile of the area. And it won industry and government acclaim, including the Cool Cities Award from the state of Michigan for innovative green technologies, neighborhood support, and sensitivity to the historic fabric of the area.
Guy’s combination of environmentalism with economic growth has persuaded his peers of the soundness of his Triple Bottom Line approach. In Grand Rapids, where Guy lives, local companies have begun to follow his lead, embracing social responsibility and environmental health as part of their everyday operations. “We found that we can build green buildings that utilize forty to fifty percent less energy at the same price as traditional buildings,” Guy says.
As much a charismatic visionary as he is an astute businessman, Guy Bazzani has perfected the art of bringing all the stakeholders together to overcome challenges. He works with nonprofits, municipalities, land owners, and neighbors to ensure that everyone has a voice in the outcome. Guy is also the founder and chair of Local First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining the local West Michigan economy. Local First is guided, in part, by the belief that the more we purchase locally, the less energy and fuel we consume. Whether transforming blighted sites into thriving businesses or renovating his own apartment above his office to cut down on his carbon footprint, Guy leads as a catalyst for a new way of thinking: environmentalism is good for the community and good for business.
To learn more about Guy Bazzani and his cause, and how you can make a difference, please visit:
www.localfirst.com.
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