Building Brands: Stefan Rier and Lukas Rungger, NOA

Known Greek philosopher Aristotle once said, “The whole is greater than the part.” This phrase works around the idea of synergy to emphasise the fact that collaborative efforts bring the ultimate output which is why the teamwork that creates the process matters more than the sum of the parts. In the world of professionals, this concept allows for teamwork, as an idea, to be celebrated at all levels by encouraging teamwork, helping each other, and immersing in success together.

Located in Bolzano, Italy; Network Of Architecture – also known as “NOA” was founded in 2011 by Stefan Rier and Lukas Rungger. Now also operating from Milan, Turin, and Berlin; NOA works with architecture in tourism, hospitality, and gastronomy with its roots developed in the alpine region of Italy and combines storytelling with inspiration from nature. 1

The Essence : “Emergence”

A panoramic approach and a strategy that caters to the concept of “emergence” which links back to encouraging collaborative efforts : these are the driving forces that NOA works through. As we live in an age where intercepting sustainability is a must for architects, NOA makes design choices while keeping the quest for a healthier, safer, and greener world as a catalyst at the core of it all. 2

From psychologists to artists, historians to musicians – NOA differs from other architectural studios in the way that their establishment works with many different professionals to form designs that speak stories. Rungger, one of the founders of NOA, talks about appreciation for simplicity during his interview with Iris Ceramica group for The Architects series, “I remember my first lesson in university : my professor was talking about a Le Corbusier building from 19015-20, and a car model from the same years. He talked about the evolution of cars after that and it stayed in my mind how certain things remain still while other things evolve.” 3 The team of NOA likes to think of their platform as an open laboratory because that allows them to leave their comfort zones and dive into new experiments. From the Ötzi Peak 3251M, a viewing platform located on Schnals Valley Glacier in South Tyrol, Italy; to Hub of Huts, a cantilever house located in Olang, Italy : NOA has completed multiple projects that shed light on the exact same formula of leaving the comfort zone and letting creativity lead the way towards new horizons.

Olympic : A Sincere Bond with Nature

Falling in line with the mesmerising skyline of the Alps, in 2023 NOA designed an extension for the Olympic Spa Hotel located in the Dolomites in Val di Fassa, Italy. Designed to be “in symbiosis” with the landscape, 4 this hillside extension overlooks the forests and camouflages the new additions without affecting the existing landforms. Along with the ten guest suites and a gym, NOA also designed a visually appealing aerial walkway that leads to an elevated sauna space made of timber. The new extensions were added on the east side of the existing hotel, concealing the rooms with the slope and opening them toward beautiful views of the forests. The profile of the whole new building itself is characterised by the slopes on the rooftop which form a harmony with the surrounding hills, catering to the goal of integrating the designs with the landscape and enhancing the beauty of it by doing so.

With an emphasis on a direct connection with nature, the design of this extended part of the hotel has been kept simple yet effective. The windows are large and face the forests, and the materials for interiors and exteriors as well as the colour scheme merge well with the aesthetics of the region. The grey in pitch roofs and external walls is inspired by the Dolomite rocks, and as NOA explained, intends for “full immersion in the Dolomites.” 5

NOA Store : More Than Just Architecture

As established earlier, the team at NOA focuses on multiple aspects of art than just architecture. Constant discussions with graphic designers, fashion experts, historians, and even as far as musicians and psychologists open the path for an interesting interaction zone for various forms of expression. The team at NOA uses these resources to not only execute their building designs but also to design products, installations, attire, stationery, and carrier bags. As explained by the team itself, these are items that they design, items that they love. 6

The Threshold

“A particularly interesting area for us is always the ‘threshold’ where inside and outside meet,” said Rungger in his conversation with the Centurion magazine. This “blurring of boundaries’ ‘ – through the choice of materials, the play of light, colours, and shapes — has quickly become one of NOA’s key design principles. 6 With morals like teamwork, sustainability, and out-of-the-box thinking laying the groundwork for all their projects, NOA continues to achieve higher levels of success not only in the eyes of the general public but also the enjoyers and critics of art and design all around the world.

REFERENCE LIST:

IMAGES :

1. NOA official website. Bolzano office. [Photograph]. (https://www.NOA.network/en/contact/)
2. Fliz, A. (2020.) Ötzi Peak by NOA architecture overlooks the distant mountain ranges of northern Italy. [Photograph]. (Italy : https://www.stirworld.com/see-features-NOA-completes-otzi-peak-observation-deck-on-top-of-3251-metre-glacier-in-italy#gallery-1)
3. NOA official website. Olympics. [Photograph]. (https://www.noa.network/en/projects/olympic/)
4. NOA official website. Intellectual daydreamer : Sketchbook. [Photograph.] (https://www.noa.network/en/shop/noa-apparel/

BIBLIOGRAPHY/EXTERNAL LINKS :

1. Client Success Story : NOA, Italy. Graphisoft. Available from : https://graphisoft.com/case-studies/NOA-network-of-architecture#:~:text=Founded%20in%202011%20by%20Stefan,alpine%20region%20of%20northern%20Italy [Accessed : 17 July 2024.]
2. MANIFESTO. NOA official website. Available from : https://www.NOA.network/en/manifesto/ [Accessed : 21 July 2024.] 
3. Iris Ceramica Group. (2024). A Documentary on: NOA, The Architects Series. [YouTube video]. Available at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcPasRryku0. [Accessed : 21 July 2024.]
4. Mitra, S. (2023.) NOA ADDS AN ALPS SKYLINE-INSPIRED EXTENSION TO A SPA HOTEL IN THE DOLOMITES. Yanko Design. Available from : https://www.yankodesign.com/2023/06/02/noa-adds-an-alps-skyline-inspired-extension-to-a-spa-hotel-in-the-dolomites/ [Accessed : 21 July 2024.]
5. OLYMPIC. NOA official website. Available from : https://www.noa.network/en/projects/olympic/ [Accessed : 21 July 2024.]
6. McCarthy, F. (2024). Wellness Design, NOA. Centurion, (9), pp : 98-99. Available from : https://www.noa.network/site/assets/files/24442/compendium_volume_9_english-noa.pdf [Accessed : 21 July 2024.]