Design Without Compromise: Inside the World of Maria Gabriela Rojas Montes de Oca

Photo Credit: Maria Gabriela Rojas Montes de Oca

Luxury is evolving, and Maria Gabriela Rojas Montes de Oca is one of the few leading voices steering its future—not with volume, but with vision. A Venezuelan-born architect and interior designer based in Miami, she is redefining what high-end living means across hemispheres, one remarkable project at a time.

As lead architect and interior designer at Poggi Design, Maria Gabriela has developed a reputation for discreet elegance and deep intentionality. Every element of her work—be it a $26 million penthouse on Fisher Island or a custom-crafted showroom in Miami’s design district—reflects a highly curated philosophy grounded in functional minimalism and biophilic harmony.

“Luxury is not about opulence—it’s about coherence,” she shares. “Every design decision should support a greater sense of well-being.”

This ethos shines through in the OKTO residence on La Gorce Island, a project that recently sold for $75 million. Maria was responsible for the co-design, renderings, and creative direction—ensuring every line and light source contributed to a feeling of tranquil grandeur. Her ability to translate architecture into lived experience sets her apart in a saturated market of surface-level trends.

A graduate with honors and a polyglot in both design languages and advanced software—from AutoCAD and SketchUp to 3ds Max and InDesign—Maria Gabriela brings both elegance and edge to her renderings. But her work goes beyond tech mastery. She designs intuitively, drawing from a deep well of cultural understanding and international sensibility.

Her award-winning Oisho Chair, created in collaboration and honored at the 2024 Kyoto Design Awards, illustrates her eye for sculptural refinement and ergonomic intelligence. Meanwhile, the Urdaneta Residence showcases her seamless integration of high-value finishes and immersive space planning, with over $4.5 million dedicated to interiors alone.

Maria’s influence extends far beyond Miami. From the Vidal 140 Sales Center in Lima to conceptual visualizations for properties in Aspen, Madrid, and the Dominican Republic, her work is a passport through global luxury. Her international collaborations with firms like Koru Architects, Haus Signature, and Icono Architecture speak to her adaptability and elevated taste.

Yet, for all her accolades, Maria Gabriela is remarkably grounded. “Design is not about imposing style—it’s about listening,” she says.

That balance—between vision and humility, innovation and reverence—is perhaps the truest luxury of all. And in Maria Gabriela’s world, it’s not just present. It’s masterfully designed.

Disclaimer: Written in partnership with APG.