noa* network of architecture

Philosophy
noa* is the essential expression of a collaborative work-ethos: the young team of architects & designers, led by founders Lukas Rungger and Stefan Rier and based in Bolzano (Italy), explores and examines interdisciplinary methods of design, continuously evolving depending on both nature and requirements of each project. By following the concept of „emergence“, where the whole is perceived as being far greater than the sum of its parts, a holistic approach and strategy is central to noa*s way of conceiving design.

Noa*...the Network Of Internationally Operating Creatives
Teams are mixed temporarily to address imminent challenges and find innovative solutions. noa* serves as a stage (or platform) for architects, designers of interiors, graphics or fashion...as far as musicians and historians....with the collective aim to use the resources of field specialists at its best. “ The classic profession of the architect as a consequence gets replaced by international creatives on collaborative grounds: more and more we perceive our work comparable to conductors of an orchestra of talents.” Lukas Rungger noa*, while forming the heart of its own network, reinforces the transfer of knowledge from various operative sectors, by surrounding the core theme of architectural creation, reaching out to accelerate and intensify the added value for each project.

Noa*...the Fusion Of Architecture, Interiors & Products
By following the concept of „emergence“, where the whole is perceived as being far greater than the sum of its parts, a holistic approach and strategy is central to noa*s way of conceiving design. In doing so, noa* does not see itself as the universal genius but collaborates intensively with experts within the team and the network. The classic designing is enlarged, enriched and intensified.

“ ...we love to create a tailor made solution for a very specific place, person or project. Instead of picking standards, we think of every project as truly unique. Holistic solutions are the key ingredients! ” Stefan Rier.

Noa*...the Connection Of International Visions With Local Identity
Thanks to nearly one decade of professional experience locally and abroad, noa* has been growing and continues to do so, resulting in an extensively evolving network across the globe with recent hot-spots based in New York, Milan, London, Berlin, Geneve, Ferrara, Graz...“ ... during the last 2 decades we felt like globetrotters, experiencing our most influential periods in London and Milan and exploring truly outstanding projects in hubs like NYC, Berlin and Bussels.” Lukas Rungger At the other hand, exploring the „genius loci“, analysing the soul of a place, space or environment, is the recurrent theme that completes the holistic design philosophy and methodology. The choice of material, the reduction to the essentials in the building, the conscious contact with the landscape where we build are the leading points for noa.

Noa*...the Ambition, Not To Design Houses But To Build Stories
Each project is being approached as an intense learning in process, with a thorough analysis of the „lost and found“ becoming essential to all facettes of design quality, paired with the attempt of simultaneously looking back and understanding traditional culture and looking forward at contemporary ways of enhancing modern life. Before designing noa* goes on a search of traces, researches what the specialties are of a specific place or whether something needs to be conserved or accentuated.

“Unique people are looking for unique stories to tell. Our mission is to help them finding, celebrating and unfolding such stories.” Stefan Rier.

To listen, to let the stories grow and to rewrite them in the architecture. To take time for the place where you want to build, to experience the atmosphere, to involve local circumstances and only then to start thinking and designing.

Noa*...the Research Against Boredom In Architecture
Finally, a thorough and radical conception of spacial and temporal relationships forms the core ambition of any field noa* gets involved: by using 3- and 4-dimensional design tools, all teams interact on the design process contemporaneously, enabling responsive results along contextually driven inspirations of each experimental playground.

“ ...we conceived noa* as an open laboratory, where experimentation and curiosity are driving forces. "Limits" are our constant companion, which we try to move, break and erase.” Lukas Rungger.

Biography
Lukas Rungger & Stefan Rier
Lukas and Stefan met while working as project architects with the renowned architect and designer Matteo Thun in Milan, being responsible for a series of challenging projects in the field of tourism, modern living and contemporary workplaces. Before joining forces to found noa* back home in Bozen/Bolzano in 2010, both Lukas and Stefan improved their skills and finetuned their work-ethos during a decade of work experiences both locally and abroad. They gained particularly diverse cultural and social influences from living and working for many years in New York, London, Berlin, Milan, Ferrara and Graz...which until present remains a crucial influence and input on their recent designs.

“... 5 years ago we established ourselves in Bolzano founding noa*, deliberately conceived as a " network " as this truly reflects the spirit of our work , the way we think and live.” Lukas Rungger.

Lukas Rungger (* 1977) graduated in architecture from Technical University Graz (AT) and after additional studies in Brussels (BE) he worked first as architect with Prof. Hans Gangoly in Graz (AT), then with Softroom Architects in London (UK) and finally in Milan (IT) with Matteo Thun. After having gained his diploma in New York City (USA) followed by his professional qualification as architect from IUAV Venezia (IT), Lukas has been extensively involved in a wide range of projects mainly in the field of masterplanning, housing, hotels and interior architecture of bars and restaurants. He was a member of the RIBA Royal Institute of British Architecture and is now a member of the Architectural Chamber of Bozen/Bolzano.

Stefan Rier (born 1979) graduated in interior design from Centro Studi „Andrea Palladio“ Verona (Italy) and in architecture from Technical University Ferrara (Italy). He worked first as architect and project leader with Arch. Demetz, and then moved to Bergamo (Italy) to work with Prof. Massimiliano Mandarini and finally in Milan (Italy) with Matteo Thun. He received his professional qualification as interior designer and architect from Universita di Genova. Stefan has been focusing on a series of projects from sustainable housing to hotels, extending to interiors, landscaping and bespoke furniture design. He is now a member of the Architectural Chamber of Bozen/Bolzano.

ITALY:
Drususallee 231/Viale Druso 231
39100 Bozen/Bolzano

GERMANY:
Zionskirchstraße 56
10119 Berlin