NOA Transforms an Innsbruck Attic Apartment right into a Haven

After a two-decade journey spanning the realms of Asia and Oceania, a client enlisted NOA to revamp an attic apartment in Innsbruck, Austria that captures the spirit of her faraway travels. Having previous experience mixing alpine charm with the allure of distant lands, they transformed this top-floor flat – named Omarama – in Innsbruck’s city center right into a light-filled retreat with the Alps in clear view.

NOA’s team launched into the project by thoroughly analyzing the ground plan of the 135-square-meter space. The quadrangular layout, with a central service area and a staircase resulting in a roof terrace, offered immense possibilities. Leveraging the apartment’s three-sided exposure to natural light, they meticulously organized the several living areas to follow the trajectory of the sun.

“Each of our designs unfolds a story. On this work, an extra personal aspect was brought into play, namely the memories of a life that the client carried together with her. Paintings, statues, and handcrafted objects that needed to be displayed in an enhancing setting,” explains NOA founder, Lukas Rungger.

Moving along the sunlit path, a contemporary sectional sofa – the Tufty-Time by B&B Italia – takes center stage within the living area. The seamless integration of design elements from diverse cultures will ceaselessly evoke memories, while also creating a comfy sanctuary for rest.

The dramatic design, with its minimalist color palette of black and white, punctuated by touches of saffron yellow, pays homage to the essence of sunshine. The apartment’s name, Omarama, which suggests ‘space of sunshine’ in Māori, was inspired by the client’s connection to Latest Zealand’s indigenous population. Using dark tones, including black quartzite, painted oak, and metal, turns the spaces right into a backdrop ensuring that eyes are directed towards the breathtaking Alps and the owner’s curated choice of treasures.

To the east, the entryway and residential office profit from the strong morning light. Between the staircase and office, the designers create clever uses of space with a triangular bookshelf and a staircase shelf used to carry select potted plants.

Under the dramatically slopped partitions and windows, two black islands delineate the kitchen space and permit the homeowner to cook and prepare food while having fun with guests on either side.

On two of the slanted partitions, and a wall within the dining space, black slats placed perpendicularly add a linear pattern to once bare partitions.

Above each Island, white Paper Pendant rice paper lamps from Vipp hang above in contrast of the encompassing black.