ROCA: A Terracotta Retreat Shaped by the Valencian Landscape

Ukrainian firm Makhno Studio has transformed an unfinished concrete structure in Valencia into ROCA, a contemporary residential project designed to sit in harmony with its dramatic rocky surroundings. Terracotta-colored volumes weave between the existing cliffs, allowing the landscape to become an active part of the architecture rather than something viewed from a distance.

To protect the interiors from the intense sun and a nearby road, the studio wrapped the residences in a screen of rotating wooden louvers inspired by celosía corredera, a traditional Valencian shading system rarely used in contemporary construction. This elegant solution helps control light, ventilation and privacy while preserving views of the landscape. As the panels move, they continually alter the appearance of the buildings through changing patterns of shadow and filtered sunlight.

Inside, clay-finished walls, aged wood, ceramic flooring and textured textiles create a warm, earthy palette rooted in local materials. Parking sits on the ground level, while the upper floors contain communal living spaces, sculptural furnishings, bedrooms and terraces with pools overlooking the cliffs.

For more of Makhno Studio’s work, visit their website.

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