Nestled between a rocky ridge and the riverbank in Abastumani, within Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region, the project occupies a striking landscape defined by dense coniferous forests, microclimatic healing qualities, and a rich historic-cultural heritage.
The site encompasses two architectural antipodes: a two-story reinforced-concrete structure, a former Soviet-era ropeway station, and a single-story brick auxiliary building that reflects the architectural typology of the Imperial era. Differing fundamentally in form, materiality, and structural logic, both buildings had lost their original functions yet remained deeply embedded in the site's temporal context. Rather than muting their differences, the design employs "continuity and transformation" as driving concepts, introducing a contrasting framework that intensifies the dialogue between the Soviet concrete and Imperial brick.
The spatial sequence is defined by three distinct zones. The newly introduced glazed volume serves as the luminous core and main entry sequence, connecting the two historical structures while dissolving the boundary between interior and nature with framed views of the pine forest. Within the former ropeway station, the double-height industrial volume was reimagined as a dedicated wellness zone (indoor pool and gym). In contrast, the Imperial-era brick building was repurposed into the project’s primary social heart, the “Darbazi” (a traditional Georgian term denoting a grand ceremonial hall), anchored by a fireplace for communal gatherings.
Working within a constricted site bounded by a steep rocky slope and a river presented severe engineering and logistical challenges. Structurally reinforcing the deteriorating Soviet concrete and delicate Imperial brickwork required a highly detailed and delicate structural strategy to avoid compromising their historical integrity. Additionally, inserting a fully functioning indoor pool and modern MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) infrastructure into decades-old shells required custom insulation systems, advanced moisture control, and precise structural underpinning.
The construction approach relied on lightweight structural steel framing and curtain-wall glazing for the new intervention, minimizing the load on the existing terrain while creating a visual bridge. Restored historical masonry and raw exposed concrete are complemented by tactile contemporary interior materials, including specialized waterproofing and ceramic tiles for the pool area, natural timber paneling, and specialized flooring for sport activities.
Beyond physical form and spatial aesthetics, the project advocates for adaptive reuse as a primary environmental strategy. By minimizing construction waste and revitalizing existing fabric, Villa Abastumani demonstrates how architecture can balance the physical realities of heritage with the intangible spirit of the place.
Client: Smart Capital
Program: Residential
Collaborators: Structural Engineer: Davit Qevanishvili l Construction Management: MBG l Engineering: Giorgi Marshanishvili, Erekle Mestverishvili
Team: Devi Kituashvili I Gogiko Sakvarelidze I Natalia Nebieridze I Salome mamrikishvili I Merab Mebuke I Elene Edisherashvili I Levan Dzegvelashvili I Salome Katsadze.
