The New Brutalism: Inside Green River Project LLC

Forget the polished marble of Uptown. Aaron Aujla and Ben Bloomstein are bringing raw aluminum, tobacco leaves, and a painterly eye to the East Village.

In a city obsessed with "finish," Green River Project LLC celebrates the raw. Founded in 2017 by Aaron Aujla (a painter) and Ben Bloomstein (a sculptor), the studio feels less like a design firm and more like an art practice.

Their work rejects the typical "New York Beige" aesthetic. Instead, they lean into what critics are calling "New Brutalism"—weighty, elegant, and direct. You won't find perfectly lacquered surfaces here. You'll find coffee-stained wood, hand-welded aluminum, and dried tobacco leaves used as wall coverings.

The Bode Connection

The duo gained cult status after designing the retail spaces for Bode, the menswear brand founded by Emily Adams Bode (Aujla's partner). The interiors—featuring warm woods, green river pebbles, and historic narratives—became instant Instagram icons.

Why They Matter Now

Green River Project represents a shift in NY design from "Corporate Luxury" to "Narrative Craft." They operate out of the East Village, and their pieces are often small-batch or one-of-a-kind. For the collector who has everything, a Green River chair is the ultimate flex.