LOPOTA LAKE RESORT & SPA IN GEORGIA CRANES REQUESTED DESIGN STUDIO “GYSPANDCONCRETE” | News
Located in the rolling vineyards and forests of Kakheti, Lopota Lake Resort & Spa, a 60-hectare family resort, has unveiled a newly completed reception and redesigned gift shop designed by Georgian architect Lado Lomitashvili, founder of Studio Gypsandconcrete, marking the latest chapter in the resort’s ongoing architectural evolution.
Designed as the first point of emotional connection for arriving guests, the new arrival areas introduce a sophisticated design language that reflects the resort’s identity as a nature-driven, experience-based destination, rooted in landscape, heritage and craftsmanship. Typical of Lomitashvili’s work, the spaces explore the dialogue between materiality, light and environment.
Housed in a greenhouse-like glass structure, the reception dissolves the boundary between interior and landscape through expansive stained glass walls that visually draw guests into the surrounding landscape from the moment of arrival.
The interior concept is inspired by the history of the location as a former rose plantation. Rosewood veneers feature on wall surfaces and custom-designed furnishings, while rose-toned copper finishes introduce warmth through cladding and lighting elements. On one copper wall, the Lopota emblem has been subtly reinterpreted as an architectural ornament, anchoring the resort’s identity in the design.
The reception desk anchors the space and rests on monolithic blocks of locally sourced Lopota marble, creating a tactile connection between the building and the surrounding grounds. Custom furnishings and lighting designed by Studio Gypsandconcrete enhance a cohesive architectural vision, complemented by select pieces including lighting by Santa & Cole and a sculptural floor lamp by Bruno Munari for Artemide.
Just steps away, the resort has also introduced a newly designed gift shop, designed as an intimate architectural space that reflects the presence of Lake Lopota itself. The 48 square meter interior is inspired by the reflective surface and green depth of the lake, with mirrored green glass as the primary material. Walls finished in small greenish-gray stone gravel alternate with exposed parts of the original local stone structure, creating layered textures that break down the scale of the space.
The lighting unfolds over two different layers: floating linear architectural lights that appear to hang below the ceiling, and wall sconces that reference traditional fishing floats. Reflective and waterproof materials have been used throughout, including shelves made from waterproof planks. In the center of the space, a two-way mirror provides an uninterrupted view of the lake, while creating subtle spatial reflections within the store.
To further enhance the project’s material narrative, an existing decorative column was carefully removed and repurposed as the structural leg of the main presentation table, transforming ornament into function and preserving a fragment of the building’s original character.
Together, the new reception and gift shop introduce a thoughtful arrival sequence that reflects the broader transformation of Lopota Lake Resort & Spa into a contemporary design-led resort, where architecture, nature and local history come together to shape the guest experience.
This renovation is part of a broader, ongoing transformation of Lopota Lake Resort & Spa, aimed at improving the guest experience while maintaining the resort’s distinctive character. In addition to the new reception and gift shop, four accommodation buildings have also been extensively redesigned, introducing updated interiors that balance contemporary comfort with materials and tones from the surrounding landscape. The broader program reflects the resort’s long-term commitment not only to thoughtful design and hospitality, but also to the preservation of Kakheti’s authentic heritage and ecological integrity.
Room rates at Lopota Lake Resort & Spa start at $330 USD per night. For more information about Lopota Lake Resort & Spa or to book a stay, please visit www.lopotaresort.com.
