Four locals shaping design right now. If you don’t know them yet, you should.
WHITTNEY PARKINSON
Principal + Interior Architectural Designer
Whittney Parkinson is the founder and principal of Whittney Parkinson Design, an Indianapolis-based studio known for interiors that balance architectural integrity with a deeply personal point of view. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, House & Garden, and other leading design publications.
Parkinson grew up with parents in the industry, but it wasn’t until later that she continued with formal training in art and interior architecture. Her work is grounded in spaces that respect classic architecture while feeling collected, comfortable, and quietly expressive. She pulls in unique interior elements to accentuate architectural features. Her background in interior architecture shines through for us with her engaged approach to floor plans. She brings an architect’s discipline to every design decision, from structural changes to spatial flow.
Whittney’s interiors are detail-driven and enduring—defined by thoughtful materials, custom craftsmanship, and elements that age with grace. Through a deliberately small, hands-on practice, she creates homes that feel both timeless and lived-in.
CHRIS SHORT, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
Principal Architect
HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles + WERK | Building Modern
For more than 30 years, Chris Short has championed contemporary residential design, building a practice that stands apart in a market where traditional architecture dominates. As the founder of HAUS, his architecture firm, and WERK, his construction company, Short’s integrated design-build approach guides projects from initial sketches through final construction—ensuring that architectural intent carries through every detail.
His dedication to modern design is something to be admired—he’s earned state AIA awards for his efforts, along with international recognition, including a feature in Dezeen, an uncommon distinction for a Midwest residential architect. Our favorites from his portfolio include lakeside retreats, urban infill developments, and single-family residences that demonstrate how contemporary architecture can feel both refined and warmly livable within a regional context.
Sustainability is embedded in Short’s practice. Through HAUS and WERK, he delivers high-performance homes that meet rigorous energy standards while maintaining architectural clarity and craft.
Three decades into his career, Short and his team continue shaping the architectural landscape of Indianapolis and the Midwest, one thoughtfully detailed modern home at a time.
BRIAN BURTCH
Founder & Principal Architect
If residential architecture is a platform for challenging assumptions, Brian Burtch is leading the conversation—particularly around where contemporary design belongs and how it can coexist within established neighborhoods. After earning his Master of Architecture from The Ohio State University, he founded NEON Architecture, where he’s been proving that modern homes can be progressive while remaining respectful of Indianapolis’ urban fabric.
Burtch focuses on compact residences that maximize space, light, and proportion. We love how his projects engage their surroundings through simplicity rather than contrast, introducing modern architecture with balance and intention. His work feels impactful without excess, an approach which has earned recognition from regional and national publications.
The NEON House, a 1,050-square-foot residence, exemplifies the philosophy behind this firm—demonstrating how thoughtful planning, refined detailing, and sustainable strategies can make small-scale living both functional and expressive.
Sustainability is embedded in every project from the outset. Through urban infill principles and environmentally responsible building methods, Burtch continues to shape a forward-looking vision for Indianapolis’s evolving residential landscape.
ANISSA ZAJAC
Founder & Principal Designer
Since founding House Seven Design in 2017, Anissa Zajac has built a practice defined by restraint, intention, and an unwavering belief in timeless design. It’s no secret that her Indianapolis-based studio has grown into a nationally recognized name. Zajac has been working on residential projects across the United States and Europe while cultivating a highly engaged audience of more than 363,000 followers. We can’t help but be drawn to her measured, thoughtful approach.
Anissa designs interiors that feel collected rather than constructed— spaces shaped over time through natural materials, layered textures, and a disciplined color palette that allows architecture and art to lead. Her work balances visual clarity with real-world livability, creating rooms that feel as good to live in as they do to experience.
Her work has been featured by platforms such as Architectural Digest and The Expert, helping redefine expectations for interior design in the Midwest and beyond. Under her leadership, House Seven Design has evolved into a studio known for human-centered interiors—homes where materiality, function, and aesthetic intention converge into something enduring.
share
you might also like
August 26, 2026
WHAT STAYS, WHAT CHANGES WITH STEPHANIE WIOTT DESIGNS
