The name Noema comes from philosophy — it speaks to meaning, memory, and perception. That’s what I aim to capture in every project: spaces that hold beauty, story, and a lasting sense of place.

Martha Roark, founder of Noema Interior Design.

Martha Roark

Principal Designer / Owner

I’m Martha Roark, founder of Noema, an interior design studio based in Portland, Oregon. My work is guided by the belief that great design is not just about how a space looks, but about how it feels and functions in daily life.

I was raised in New Mexico (primarily Santa Fe) where the sun shines bright and the landscape is beautiful everywhere you look. From a very young age I remember admiring beautiful spaces — how a space felt, analyzing why it felt that way, and making plans in my mind for how I would redesign rooms I came across. That fire still burns in me today. I am filled with ideas galore. Now with an education and experience to back it up, my purpose is not only to make the spaces more beautiful but to have meaning and have an experience that stays with you in the beauty that is created. 

When I am not designing, you can find me baking a cake, walking my dog, lifting weights, or watching a SciFi or Fantasy film/show.