Ceramic Pavilions in Valencia’s Northern Fields by Bona fide taller

The Ceramic Pavilions in Valencia by Bona fide taller are two sculptural structures that reinterpret agricultural traditions while celebrating the cultural and material heritage of l'Horta Nord. Completed in 2024, these pavilions serve as architectural markers in the fields, merging craftsmanship, material experimentation, and site-specific design.

Architectural Concept and Site Context

Located in the northern fields of Valencia, the pavilions align with the traces of existing irrigation channels, connecting architecture with the historic agricultural infrastructure. Their forms recall stubble burners or small tool sheds, grounding them in the vernacular memory of the region. At the same time, their porous walls transform them into open-air rooms—spaces that blur the boundary between shelter and landscape.

Innovation in Ceramic Architecture

The central element of the project is a custom-designed lattice ceramic block, developed by Bona fide taller in collaboration with Nuet Ceramica. Featuring cross-shaped perforations, these blocks filter light, air, and views, creating an interplay of openness and enclosure. The design incorporates two variations of the block, one with a tighter pattern and another with a wider arrangement, establishing rhythm and texture across the façades.

Secondary ceramic elements such as honeycomb blocks, mechanized bricks, and flat tiles complement the latticework. These pieces bind the walls, frame openings, and anchor prefabricated beams, showcasing the structural versatility of ceramics. The integration of multiple ceramic typologies demonstrates the adaptability of traditional materials in contemporary architectural expression.

Flooring and Material Experimentation

One of the most striking aspects of the pavilions is their flooring, made from ceramic profiles derived from extrusion nozzles. These “pavers” represent an intermediate stage of ceramic production, where paired profiles and auxiliary elements enable proper drying and firing. By embedding this stage of manufacturing into the final design, the project highlights the hidden beauty of the production process, turning industrial by-products into architectural ornament.

Cultural Value and Regional Identity

Beyond their experimental form, the Ceramic Pavilions serve a cultural role: they bring visibility to l'Horta Nord’s agricultural heritage and demonstrate how contemporary architecture can engage with local traditions. By using ceramics as both structural and aesthetic elements, the project bridges past and present, grounding innovation in cultural continuity.

The Ceramic Pavilions in Valencia by Bona fide taller are a celebration of material innovation, agricultural heritage, and architectural experimentation. Through their integration of lattice blocks, perforated walls, and experimental flooring, these pavilions embody a dialogue between tradition and modernity, making ceramics the protagonist of both structure and space.

All Photographs are works of   Oleh Kardash Horlay