PROjECT

PROjECT., a Chicago-based interior design firm under the direction of founder Aimee Wertepny and director of design, Lauren Warnock, is committed to making design that MATTERS, design that “touches the heart and feeds the soul.” “We believe in storytelling, radical craftsmanship, rough edges and flipping the script. And, above all, we believe that empowered creatives empower creatives.”

At PROjECT., an interior tells a narrative about the client, authentically unfolding through curated objects, colors and textures.

“Creating thoughtful, unapologetically distinct environments that feel good is why we exist. We bring the magic and the woo-woo. It might hit like a subtle fragrance or announce itself boldly but either way, the thrill of entering a good interior, a chic interior, is an intoxicating experience—and it’s even better when it’s yours.”

Above: AIMEE WERTEPNY (left) and LAUREN WARNOCK

This and following pages: FACTORY BEATS PROjECT. plays up clean lines and modern comforts for a factory conversion in Lakeview, Chicago. From gut rehab to final polish, the firm pulled out all the stops to transform a former Lava Lamp factory into an artful abode for a funloving family of five. A modern industrial sensibility with plenty of personality was the objective, and incorporating an abundance of gallery walls that would allow for the homeowners’ colorful artwork—pieces by hyper-relevant artists like Alex Katz, Richard Serra, Sean Scully, Stanley Whitney and KAWS—to take center stage. For the backyard, PROjECT. collaborated with Scott Byron & Co. to create a multi-use space. Part hardscape and part landscape, it features killer kitchen and bar components, a U-shaped sofa by Gloster to hug the fire pit, and Smart and Green globe-shaped lawn lights from Lightology.

PROjECT. doesn’t “do basic.” Its approach is unconventional yet intentional, reflecting the distinct personalities and artistic sensibilities of the all-female team.

“As a collective, we do share common beliefs and creative traits: we believe a home should tell the stories of its inhabitants and reflect their journeys through life through edited moments. Rather than selecting pieces that fit an ‘aesthetic’, we look at design as a way to celebrate and share the mixed bag of cultures that make up all of us—and the art and communities we have connected with along the way.”

PROjECT. tends to attract a certain type of client who is hip to the team’s “creative vibrations” and willing to embrace new ideas, break convention and take some creative risks. Clients looking for “conventional” don’t tend to gravitate toward PROjECT.

“PROjECT. is all about ‘high drama’, and we always try to push our clients outside of their comfort zones to see the design possibilities. That said, the art of subtle drama is our love language. Focal points, peekaboo moments, texture play, contracting and expanding spaces… Drama doesn’t have to hit you over the head. It should sashay up next to you and whisper in your ear.” “‘Contemporary’ can mean different things to different people. I find that it’s as much about the feeling of a space as it is about the presentation. Our clients want polish (flawless millwork and custom upholstery, for example), but the modern homeowner also wants reactive design—design that makes them feel comfortable, inspired and at peace within their home. Striking that balance is when the magic happens. It might show up as nuanced cultural/international elements if those elements are a part of the homeowner’s narrative—their travels, their experiences, their fondest family memories… or if they are open to embracing some of the cultural, curated, organic, roughhewn pieces that PROjECT. often gravitates toward and may suggest. Cultural, global, handcrafted goods are definitely a part of the PROjECT. narrative.”

Increasingly, buildings in general and high spec homes in particular are expected to be “smart”, automated and roboticsoptimized. The rise of the home office/remote work postpandemic is gathering traction.

How does PROjECT. address this and are requirements different between residential and commercial clients? “Smart lighting, smart thermostats, smart sound systems, smart doorbells and security cameras… Our clients want the latest and greatest in full-home automation. For us, sophistication, integration and ease of use are most important—and having a range of compatibility, should you want to expand your smart home in the future. We also get niche requests such as circadian lighting for setting myriad entertaining moods or being able to control your whole home from an app from anywhere in the world. The latter is an important feature for our clients who travel a lot and have multiple homes. I personally love an old school light switch. Making your guests, especially older family members, try to figure out how to turn on the bathroom light in the middle of the night via an app can be too much.” “Regarding the ‘rise of the home office’, what I find most interesting is how remote working is influencing floor plans. Two years ago, everyone wanted open-concept floor plans. But now, as we emerge from the pandemic, our clients want certain spaces sectioned off—and that includes the WFH office. Families with children want whole-office soundproofing and locks on the doors. The stress of the pandemic is also impacting the interest in wellness spaces within the home (meditation spaces, yoga rooms, and saunas, for example), as well as an increased desire for antibacterial materials, i.e. hardware in bacteria-repelling metals like copper and brass.” “For our commercial projects, integrated lighting, thermostats, sound systems and security systems are the top requests. We recently completed a Pediatric Dentistry in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The special nature of this project dictated the tech. We incorporated a sophisticated TV/gaming wall to keep the owner’s pint-size clientele occupied. We also hid a sophisticated essential oil diffusing system within the HVAC to give her brand a signature scent.” 

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“Automation in the home must be sophisticated, fully integrated, easy to use — and future proofed.”

SHADES OF PLAY This Lakeview, Chicago, home was designed by dSPACE Studio for a couple and their three children. They wanted a home with a strong connection to the outdoors that preserved privacy in their dense urban neighborhood. A singlefamily home spread across two city lots, the homeowners’ top requirements included open-plan living with space for art, a master suite with deck, a gym, a sport court, a live-work space, and a kid’s hangout room with bunks for sleepovers. For the interior design, PROjECT. progressed an urbane agenda with concrete floors, sleek marble surfaces, linear furnishings to amplify that serious art collection, and custom upholstery to repel grape soda (or tequila).