Author: Ana Chigitashvili
The construction of a new, 51-room hotel in "Lopota Spa Resort" has been completed, and additional buildings are also planned. Tennis courts, a fish restaurant, a brewery and a jazz club will be added to the complex. Architect Davit Koyava is working on these buildings and future projects.
What is the new idea?
Davit Koyava: The very first meeting with the owner started with such a task: we had to make an architecture corresponding to the existing landscape and environment. The complex consists of mostly 3-story buildings, and the site where the hotel was located was the only one near the lake where a new building could be built without interfering with the landscape.
We wanted this project to be implemented with minimal interaction in the environment. We recently had a meeting with the customer's family and we agreed that the first task is accomplished, because from a distance the building is visible as two narrow lines in the greenery. Over time, all these structures will become even more natural depending on the material.I think that the client's goal was exactly this, to create a cozy and correct building in such a landscape. I would also like to point out that there are very few people like Goga Maisuradze in the country, who have dedicated themselves to achieving their goals. Perhaps the creation of such a tourist center from scratch was unimaginable in this place, but today it has become a reality and the Goga family actively continues to implement its idea.
How did you come up with the design and concept?
Davit Koyava: The hotel is a very specific project, the location and function of all elements are of great importance. Before we move on to the design, it is technically very difficult. Comfort is of great importance, lighting plays a big role. When a tired guest enters the room in the evening, whether he turns on the light or not, he should immediately feel comfortable.
In Georgia, they don't think much about lighting design, they don't spend time on creating this coziness. I also learned a lot during this project and I have written down some notes that I will take into account in the future. Also creating a concept and design for this environment was a big challenge. Nature played a very big role both in the architecture and in the interior design. In the interior, we used Georgian artist's paintings. We wanted to create such an environment that you can feel where you are in the interior, we selected appropriate colors and items. Since this is not a brand hotel with its own requirements, it was easier for us to create a local atmosphere.
What other projects are planned within the complex?
Davit Koyava: In such a large area or complex, there is always a desire to hold some big event, for example, a music festival. The hotel has such small spaces, but there has already been a request to create a professional hall, where it will be possible to hold a jazz festival. Therefore, a separate building - a jazz club - will be added to the complex in the future.
The construction of full-fledged tennis courts has also been started, which will not only serve the guests of the hotel, but will also host various competitions. The resort is also planning to implement a brewery project, where local beer will be brewed, as well as a fish restaurant, which will look more like a bungalow from the outside and will add another different space to the complex.
The master plan of the whole complex is in the process of development, and the arrangement of internal roads will also be taken into account in terms of city planning. "Lopota Spa Resort" is gradually becoming a mini-city.
