Glarros Oldtown Hotel by Laboratory of Architecture #3: A Contemporary Tribute to Tbilisi’s Cultural Heritage

Nestled within the historic heart of Old Tbilisi, the Glarros Oldtown Hotel by Laboratory of Architecture #3 redefines the relationship between contemporary architecture and its deeply rooted urban context. Located on a centuries-old thoroughfare known locally as the "street square"—a vital artery once traveled by merchants and artisans—the hotel inhabits a site of profound cultural and historical importance.

Revitalizing Heritage Through Architecture

The project site formerly housed a government administration building from the 1980s. Rather than adapt the aging structure—which would have required extensive expansion and potentially disrupted the surrounding historic scale—the architects chose to completely rebuild. The resulting design respects the city's urban fabric while contributing a modern chapter to its architectural narrative.

The Glarros Oldtown Hotel echoes the character of Tbilisi's Old Town, known for its tight street grids, angular intersections, and richly ornamented courtyards. By carefully interpreting these features, the building bridges past and present, establishing continuity with the city’s traditional built environment.

Integrating Cultural Layers

The hotel’s design weaves together the multicultural essence of the neighborhood, where ethnic, religious, and social diversity thrive in a shared public realm. The architecture is conceived as a mosaic—a nod to the visual language of the 1970s—both in concept and material application. Through this lens, the hotel becomes more than a hospitality venue; it becomes an urban landmark that reflects Tbilisi’s layered identity.

Form and Function

From the outside, the hotel presents a commanding facade aligned with the angles of intersecting historic streets. This sharp geometry accentuates the building’s presence while offering an invitation inward. The interior opens to a traditional courtyard, designed to foster social interaction and recall the vernacular architecture of Georgian homes.

The façade composition utilizes a mix of glass, stone, and patterned elements, allowing the hotel to simultaneously feel modern and rooted in place. Light filters through carefully curated openings, creating a dialogue between indoor spaces and the bustling city beyond.

A Contemporary Hotel Rooted in Local Narrative

At its core, the Glarros Oldtown Hotel is an architectural response to the historical, cultural, and spatial fabric of Tbilisi. It embodies the city’s dynamic evolution, honoring its past while offering a forward-looking interpretation of urban hospitality.

By embedding cultural sensitivity, architectural heritage, and modern functionality, the project stands as a model for contextual hotel design in historic cities.

All Photographs are works of Giorgi Mamasakhlisi.