We create environments that stand the test of time, blending a human-centered design with a forward-thinking approach.
Meet the team behind the practice, dedicated to crafting purposeful, human-centered spaces.
To create environments that stand the test of time, blending a human-centered design with a forward thinking approach
We approach every project with creativity and innovation, through designs that bring spaces to life and elevate everyday experiences.
Ethical responsibility is always at the heart of every project we execute, respecting the environment, prioritizing people, and upholding transparency and integrity.
At VELA, our spaces are thoughtfully planned and flawlessly created to stand the test of time. Our projects are conceived to create lasting impressions, becoming enduring spaces that inspire communities today and for generations to come.
We embrace adaptability and responsiveness, swiftly adjusting to changing needs, markets, and technologies – Ensuring that our solutions remain relevant and effective no matter the circumstance.
Marc Roca is the Founder and Managing Partner of VELA, a Dubai-based architecture and design firm elevating architectural excellence through responsible, contextual, and innovative design. A visionary architect with over 15 years of global industry experience, he plays a key role in shaping the firm’s architectural and interior design services across all sectors.
Since co-founding VELA in 2025 with Marc Torres and Lucas Martínez, Marc Roca has been instrumental in driving the firm’s mission to create sustainable, innovative, and contextually relevant spaces. His design philosophy blends creativity, functionality, and a deep respect for local geography and culture, ensuring that each project harmonizes elegance with practicality. His hands-on approach fosters strong relationships with clients, project teams, and industry peers, delivering precision and excellence in every project.
Before VELA, Marc built a distinguished career in Dubai, where he has been based since 2013. As Managing Partner at XBD Collective, he led architectural and interior design projects across hospitality, education, commercial, and multi-residential sectors. His global experience across Europe, South America, and the Middle East has honed his ability to translate visionary concepts into built realities. Notable projects include Metropolitan Towers in Lagos, Modern Living offices at Opus Tower, and landmark developments such as St. Regis Residences, Financial Centre Road, Astera by Aston Martin Residences, and Rixos Financial Centre Road Dubai Residences—all testaments to his ability to navigate complex design challenges with innovation and precision.
Recognized for his contributions to the field, Marc was named among the 30 Most Influential Architects in the Middle East by Design Middle East in 2023. He holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture and a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, ETSAV in Barcelona, Spain.
At VELA, Marc continues to push the boundaries of architecture and design, leading with innovation, sustainability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Marc Roca is the Founder and Managing Partner of VELA, a Dubai-based architecture and design firm elevating architectural excellence through responsible, contextual, and innovative design. A visionary architect with over 15 years of global industry experience, he plays a key role in shaping the firm’s architectural and interior design services across all sectors.
Since co-founding VELA in 2025 with Marc Torres and Lucas Martínez, Marc Roca has been instrumental in driving the firm’s mission to create sustainable, innovative, and contextually relevant spaces. His design philosophy blends creativity, functionality, and a deep respect for local geography and culture, ensuring that each project harmonizes elegance with practicality. His hands-on approach fosters strong relationships with clients, project teams, and industry peers, delivering precision and excellence in every project.
Before VELA, Marc built a distinguished career in Dubai, where he has been based since 2013. As Managing Partner at XBD Collective, he led architectural and interior design projects across hospitality, education, commercial, and multi-residential sectors. His global experience across Europe, South America, and the Middle East has honed his ability to translate visionary concepts into built realities. Notable projects include Metropolitan Towers in Lagos, Modern Living offices at Opus Tower, and landmark developments such as St. Regis Residences, Financial Centre Road, Astera by Aston Martin Residences, and Rixos Financial Centre Road Dubai Residences—all testaments to his ability to navigate complex design challenges with innovation and precision.
Recognized for his contributions to the field, Marc was named among the 30 Most Influential Architects in the Middle East by Design Middle East in 2023. He holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture and a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, ETSAV in Barcelona, Spain.
At VELA, Marc continues to push the boundaries of architecture and design, leading with innovation, sustainability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Marc Torres is a Co-founder and Managing Partner at VELA, a Dubai-based architecture and design firm elevating architectural excellence through responsible, contextual, and innovative design. With over 15 years of international experience, Marc has led the design and delivery of transformative projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Australia—spanning residential, retail, hospitality, cultural, and mixed-use developments. His work is defined by a seamless integration of architectural vision and commercial intelligence.
At the helm of VELA, Marc shapes the studio’s creative direction and oversees project execution, championing design solutions that are rooted in place, responsive to people, and resilient for the future. His approach is grounded in a belief that architecture must not only inspire but also endure—socially, environmentally, and economically.
Marc holds a master’s degree in architecture completed across Barcelona, Berlin, and Lausanne, giving him a uniquely global design sensibility. His professional journey has taken him across Spain, the UK, Germany, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Australia, where he has developed a deep understanding of diverse urban, cultural, and environmental contexts.
Before establishing VELA, Marc held senior design roles at some of the world’s leading architecture firms, including Architectus, COX Architecture, Perkins+Will, and CallisonRTKL. Throughout his career, he has led multidisciplinary teams on high-impact projects such as the World Trade Centre Perth, Perth Airport International Gates, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Address and Vida Hotels, and Mövenpick Al Marjan. His leadership spans the full spectrum of design—from early strategic vision to construction delivery—always grounded in collaboration, innovation, and precision.
Marc’s work has earned multiple accolades, including the Excellence in Construction Award for Perth Airport and the Best Residential High-Rise Award for DT1 Residential Tower. As he continues to guide VELA’s evolution, Marc remains committed to advancing architecture that is timeless, transformative, and deeply attuned to the human experience.
Marc Torres is a Co-founder and Managing Partner at VELA, a Dubai-based architecture and design firm elevating architectural excellence through responsible, contextual, and innovative design. With over 15 years of international experience, Marc has led the design and delivery of transformative projects across Europe, the Middle East, and Australia—spanning residential, retail, hospitality, cultural, and mixed-use developments. His work is defined by a seamless integration of architectural vision and commercial intelligence.
At the helm of VELA, Marc shapes the studio’s creative direction and oversees project execution, championing design solutions that are rooted in place, responsive to people, and resilient for the future. His approach is grounded in a belief that architecture must not only inspire but also endure—socially, environmentally, and economically.
Marc holds a master’s degree in architecture completed across Barcelona, Berlin, and Lausanne, giving him a uniquely global design sensibility. His professional journey has taken him across Spain, the UK, Germany, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Australia, where he has developed a deep understanding of diverse urban, cultural, and environmental contexts.
Before establishing VELA, Marc held senior design roles at some of the world’s leading architecture firms, including Architectus, COX Architecture, Perkins+Will, and CallisonRTKL. Throughout his career, he has led multidisciplinary teams on high-impact projects such as the World Trade Centre Perth, Perth Airport International Gates, Mamsha Al Saadiyat, Address and Vida Hotels, and Mövenpick Al Marjan. His leadership spans the full spectrum of design—from early strategic vision to construction delivery—always grounded in collaboration, innovation, and precision.
Marc’s work has earned multiple accolades, including the Excellence in Construction Award for Perth Airport and the Best Residential High-Rise Award for DT1 Residential Tower. As he continues to guide VELA’s evolution, Marc remains committed to advancing architecture that is timeless, transformative, and deeply attuned to the human experience.
Carina Lima is the Director of Interior Design at VELA, a Dubai-based architecture and design firm elevating architectural excellence through responsible, contextual, and innovative design. With over 15 years of experience shaping spaces across South America and the Middle East, she brings a dynamic blend of creativity, precision, and strategic thinking, leading projects across commercial, residential, hospitality, F&B, and healthcare sectors.
Carina’s approach is fuelled by a deep passion for storytelling through design, ensuring every space she creates is both visually striking and highly intuitive. She is known for her strong leadership, sharp attention to detail, and ability to orchestrate complex projects with seamless precision. A natural communicator, she is frequently engaged in design conversations in the media, sharing insights on industry trends, sustainability, and the future of interiors.
Her portfolio includes landmark projects such as SHA Residences, Aramco Downstream Digital Center, Atkins UAE’s Head Office, Alec Head Office, and Jubail Health Club & Villas—each a testament to her ability to blend aesthetic vision with functionality and innovation.
Before joining VELA, she served as Design Director at Swiss Bureau Interior Design, Dubai, and previously worked as a Senior Architect at Mallol Arquitectos, Panama City. She also founded and led Estudio C2J, Recife, Brazil.
Carina holds a Master in Architecture & Interior Design from IPOG, Brazil and a Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism from FAUPE, Brazil, where she was a Laureate Student with a Meritorious Diploma.
Beyond her technical expertise, Carina thrives on collaboration and human connection. Her energy, warmth, and ability to bring ideas to life with effortless flair make her a standout voice in the design industry. At VELA, she continues to push creative boundaries, championing innovation while fostering a culture of excellence.
Carina Lima is the Director of Interior Design at VELA, a Dubai-based architecture and design firm elevating architectural excellence through responsible, contextual, and innovative design. With over 15 years of experience shaping spaces across South America and the Middle East, she brings a dynamic blend of creativity, precision, and strategic thinking, leading projects across commercial, residential, hospitality, F&B, and healthcare sectors.
Carina’s approach is fuelled by a deep passion for storytelling through design, ensuring every space she creates is both visually striking and highly intuitive. She is known for her strong leadership, sharp attention to detail, and ability to orchestrate complex projects with seamless precision. A natural communicator, she is frequently engaged in design conversations in the media, sharing insights on industry trends, sustainability, and the future of interiors.
Her portfolio includes landmark projects such as SHA Residences, Aramco Downstream Digital Center, Atkins UAE’s Head Office, Alec Head Office, and Jubail Health Club & Villas—each a testament to her ability to blend aesthetic vision with functionality and innovation.
Before joining VELA, she served as Design Director at Swiss Bureau Interior Design, Dubai, and previously worked as a Senior Architect at Mallol Arquitectos, Panama City. She also founded and led Estudio C2J, Recife, Brazil and began her career as an Architect at Henrique Sposito Arquitetos, Recife, Brazil.
Carina holds a Master of Architecture in Architecture & Interior Design from IPOG, Brazil and a Bachelor of Architecture and Urbanism from FAUPE, Brazil, where she was a Laureate Student with a Meritorious Diploma.
Beyond her technical expertise, Carina thrives on collaboration and human connection. Her energy, warmth, and ability to bring ideas to life with effortless flair make her a standout voice in the design industry. At VELA, she continues to push creative boundaries, championing innovation while fostering a culture of excellence.
Lucas Martínez is a Partner and Architecture Design Director at VELA, a Dubai-based architecture and design firm elevating architectural excellence through responsible, contextual, and innovative design. He leads the creative direction of high-profile architectural projects across the Middle East. With over a decade of experience, the majority of which has been dedicated to leaving his design footprint in the UAE, Oman, Morocco, Bahrain, Egypt, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, Lucas is focused on blurring the boundaries between design disciplines, ensuring every project reflects a seamless, multidisciplinary vision.
His approach centers on the sensory and emotional experience of space, crafting environments that are not only functional but deeply connected to their context and the people who inhabit them. At VELA, Lucas spearheads the design of contemporary luxury developments, from waterfront communities and boutique residential projects to bespoke private mansions and landmark high-rise towers.
His design philosophy challenges fragmented approaches to architecture. Instead, he champions a holistic process where all design elements—interior, exterior, and landscape—are conceived together from the outset. This results in spaces that are not only aesthetically compelling but also enduring and human-centered.
Prior to co-founding VELA, Lucas gained experience at globally recognized firms including NOA, Perkins Eastman, Perkins & Will, and LW Design, contributing to prominent projects such as the City Walk development, Sunrise Bay in Dubai Harbour, and residential developments like Yas Riva and Haven Dubai.
Lucas holds a master’s degree in architecture and combines artistic sensitivity, strategic thinking, and technical precision to create innovative yet timeless spaces. With a passion for human-centric design, materiality, and environmental responsiveness, he ensures that architecture remains a living, evolving dialogue between people and place.
Lucas Martínez is a Partner and Architecture Design Director at VELA, a Dubai-based architecture and design firm elevating architectural excellence through responsible, contextual, and innovative design. He leads the creative direction of high-profile architectural projects across the Middle East. With over a decade of experience, the majority of which has been dedicated to leaving his design footprint in the UAE, Oman, Morocco, Bahrain, Egypt, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, Lucas is focused on blurring the boundaries between design disciplines, ensuring every project reflects a seamless, multidisciplinary vision.
His approach centers on the sensory and emotional experience of space, crafting environments that are not only functional but deeply connected to their context and the people who inhabit them. At VELA, Lucas spearheads the design of contemporary luxury developments, from waterfront communities and boutique residential projects to bespoke private mansions and landmark high-rise towers.
His design philosophy challenges fragmented approaches to architecture. Instead, he champions a holistic process where all design elements—interior, exterior, and landscape—are conceived together from the outset. This results in spaces that are not only aesthetically compelling but also enduring and human-centered.
Prior to co-founding VELA, Lucas gained experience at globally recognized firms including NOA, Perkins Eastman, Perkins & Will, and LW Design, contributing to prominent projects such as the City Walk development, Sunrise Bay in Dubai Harbour, and residential developments like Yas Riva and Haven Dubai.
Lucas holds a master’s degree in architecture and combines artistic sensitivity, strategic thinking, and technical precision to create innovative yet timeless spaces. With a passion for human-centric design, materiality, and environmental responsiveness, he ensures that architecture remains a living, evolving dialogue between people and place.
