Numa Loft began as an empty industrial floor in Berlin — tall ceilings, exposed beams, and cold northern light. The brief was simple: create a home that respects the structure’s original character but softens its atmosphere.
Our approach was not to erase the past, but to reframe it.
The project became an exploration of balance — between roughness and refinement, openness and intimacy.
Structure as Framework
We kept the original concrete columns and steel beams visible, allowing them to define the rhythm of the plan. Rather than fighting the grid, we worked with it — using the existing structure to separate zones without adding walls.
The framework became the architecture. Furniture, partitions, and lighting aligned with the load-bearing rhythm, making the space feel coherent and intentional.
Nothing here hides the building’s origin; it celebrates it.
Material Palette
Warmth was introduced through contrast.
Matte oak flooring and brushed metal surfaces temper the raw concrete. Linen, clay plaster, and muted fabrics soften the acoustics while maintaining a tactile honesty.
Light plays the central role: reflected off steel in the morning, absorbed by wood in the evening. The palette is limited, but every surface contributes to calm — a subtle conversation between temperature and tone.
Light and Atmosphere
The loft’s large windows were left uncurtained.
Daylight floods the open plan, shifting the perception of space throughout the day. At night, dimmable wall lighting defines smaller zones without closing them off.
The design encourages rhythm — open by day, enclosed by night.
Light becomes the invisible partition that shapes daily life.
Living in Layers
The layout unfolds in a gradient from public to private. The kitchen and dining area anchor the entry, leading to a quiet workspace, then to a sleeping area tucked behind the structural core.
Each zone remains connected through sightlines and material continuity. There are no abrupt transitions — only shifts in scale and mood.
The space feels lived, not staged.
Conclusion
Numa Loft is a study in transformation.
It takes the precision of industrial architecture and pairs it with domestic softness. Instead of redesigning the shell, we revealed what was already there — allowing the structure, light, and material to speak quietly together.
The result is a home that feels effortless, but only because every detail was earned.
TL;DR
Original structure defines layout and rhythm.
Warm materials and soft textures counter industrial rawness.
Light acts as both boundary and connector.
Spaces transition gradually from public to private.
The design preserves history while creating a new sense of calm.
