design hub in chi-town /

Exterior of a design studio with large windows and vertical banners displaying the text 'ARMAZEM.design' on a brick building.

  • Scope: commercial interiors + facade treatment

    Location: Chicago, IL

    Year: 2024

  • Design Hub in Chi-Town is a reimagined showroom located in the heart of Chicago’s River North Design District. Originally designed in 2018 by Gary Lee Partners, the space had remained unchanged for years. With the arrival of a new high-end furniture and closet brand, the owner saw an opportunity to completely refresh the space, moving beyond a traditional showroom toward something more experiential and inviting.

    The goal was to create an environment that felt like a home, not just a place to display products. The new design needed to showcase furniture beautifully, but also evoke a sense of comfort, warmth, and cohesion. Each area was carefully crafted to encourage natural flow, inviting visitors to pause, enjoy a coffee, and envision new possibilities for their own spaces. Rather than static vignettes, we created layered, livable rooms that supported real-life connection and imagination.

    A central challenge was balancing the space’s dual function: part showroom, part collaborative studio. We introduced a variety of settings, cozy seating nooks, casual meeting zones, and welcoming workspaces, that fostered both creativity and conversation. Through a thoughtful mix of textures, soft lighting, and elevated finishes, the space strikes a tone that’s both refined and approachable.

    The result is a showroom that feels deeply personal and purposeful. Design Hub is more than a place to browse, it’s a space to collaborate, dream, and be inspired. It reflects the evolving needs of today’s design clients and redefines what a showroom can be.

  • A.d: Jon Fante, Marcel Menegolla

    Architect: Gary Lee Partners

    Contractor: Urban Innovations

    Photography: Sarah Crowley

Floor plan of a house showing a dining room, living room, kitchen, library, walk-in closet, family room, kitchen bar, meeting room, closet, office, and powder room with labeled numbers.
Floor plan of a house showing a dining room, living room, kitchen, library, walk-in closet, family room, kitchen bar, meeting room, closet, office, and powder room with labeled numbers.

renderings /

  • Modern interior living space with wooden ceiling beams, large bookshelves, and minimalist furniture.
  • Modern kitchen with light wood cabinets, a black kitchen island, and a patterned wooden room divider.
  • Modern, spacious interior with wooden accents, large shelving unit, seating area, and open layout featuring natural light and contemporary furniture.
  • Modern living room with exposed brick wall, beige carpet, brown sofa, two white chairs, a pink round coffee table, and a large flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, with a black glass enclosure in the corner.
Modern kitchen with gray cabinets, brick wall, black chairs at island, and built-in oven, minimalist decor.
Modern living room with a light gray sofa and decorative pillows, exposed wooden beams, bookshelves, and a glass door leading to another room.
Modern living room with large windows, exposed brick walls, a light-colored sofa, a wooden bookshelf, and decorative plants.
A modern living space with a beige sofa decorated with green and beige pillows. A wooden coffee table in front holds white vases and an open magazine. Behind the sofa are open black metal shelves with decorative items. In the background, a dining are
Modern kitchen and dining area with large windows, hanging pendant lights, round mirror, brick wall, and contemporary furniture.
Interior living room with a black fireplace and a flat-screen TV mounted on a wooden slat wall, with a gray sofa and a round coffee table.
Modern kitchen with gray cabinets, a large island with a light-colored countertop, and black chairs. There is a built-in oven, a stainless steel faucet, and decorative items on the island and countertop. The background features a brick wall and expos
Modern industrial-style office or living space with wooden beams, exposed ductwork, and contemporary furniture, including a black table, beige chairs, and a sitting area near a large window.
Modern kitchen with light wood cabinetry, built-in oven, and a potted plant on the countertop.
Modern kitchen with black island counters, bar stools, beige cabinets, and glass-fronted shelves with white dishes, soft lighting, and a wood ceiling.
Modern kitchen with light wood cabinets, black island with a white countertop, and a gray open shelving unit with glass vases, set in an industrial-style space with exposed wooden beams and black lighting fixtures.
Modern kitchen with light wooden cabinets, a large black island with a white countertop, and pendant lighting overhead. Includes built-in industrial oven, wine fridge, and a coffee maker, with a rustic wooden ceiling and a concrete floor.
Modern living room with exposed brick wall, beige sofa, round rust-colored coffee table, cream armchair, wooden side table with vase, wall art, and industrial ductwork overhead.
Modern interior living room with beige sofa, round wooden coffee table with a small vase and flower, wooden wall-mounted shelving with books and artwork, and a glass partition leading to a dining area.
Modern walk-in closet with beige cabinetry, black metal shelving, hanging clothes, a glass-topped island, and brick wall ceiling.
A display case with jewelry, including rings, bracelets, and earrings, inside a store
Modern walk-in closet with black and glass wardrobe, beige dresser, hanging beige shirts, and a brick wall background.
A modern walk-in closet with wooden cabinetry, black hanging clothes, a mirror, and two round beige ottomans.