The Roig Arena is set to become a new international cultural landmark in Valencia, the historic Mediterranean port city, with the ambition of welcoming visitors from around the world throughout the year. Designed by the international firm HOK in collaboration with the Valencia-based architecture studio ERRE, the 58,500 m² venue will play a key role in the transformation of the Quatre Carreres district, located near major urban landmarks such as the City of Arts and Sciences and the Turia Gardens.

One of the most distinctive features of the building is its façade, which celebrates Mediterranean light and local craftsmanship through an outer skin of 8,600 ceramic fins arranged like scales over a double-curvature steel structure. Manufactured locally by Grupo Pamesa Empresarial and designed by ERRE, these pieces reinterpret the traditional use of ceramics on flat surfaces, adapting it to the complex, undulating envelope of the arena. The roof is formed by eight monumental prefabricated trusses, each 123 metres long and capable of supporting up to 180 tonnes, making it possible to host large-scale international productions.

Acoustic performance has been a central focus of the project. A one-metre-wide cavity of insulating layers between the interior seating and the exterior walls helps limit sound transmission to the surroundings, while sound-absorbing materials integrated into the building ensure effective internal acoustic control. The design team also worked with internationally renowned acoustic consultants to optimise sound quality, reduce reflections and achieve balanced reverberation throughout the main hall.

The arena has been conceived with sustainability in mind, responding to Valencia’s warm Mediterranean climate, where summer temperatures often exceed 30°C. Passive strategies such as large overhangs, shaded terraces and natural cross-ventilation reduce the need for mechanical cooling, ensuring year-round comfort while lowering energy consumption. On the roof, 1,742 photovoltaic panels generate renewable energy, and an underground water tank at the base of the building manages excess rainwater during heavy storms. Landscaped areas also act as natural drainage basins, guiding rainwater from the perimeter towards their centre.

With a total investment of €400 million, the Roig Arena also reflects a strong commitment to local industry through the use of nearby materials, particularly ceramics—an essential element of Valencian culture—supporting local supply chains and reducing the environmental impact of transportation.