New Istisu Thermal Complex on the ruins of the Soviet sanatorium

On the site of a 1926 sanatorium, thanks to the hot springs of this remote corner of Azerbaijan, the regeneration project is born that intertwines nature and architecture with the new Istisu Thermal Complex composed of a luxury hotel, ten exclusive villas, and a large area for thermal treatments

Luxury hotel, exclusive villas, and thermal area

In the mountainous territory of Kalbajar, at an altitude of 2,300 meters, the Istisu Thermal Complex will be completed in 2026 with a design that harmoniously embraces the wonderful natural landscape. The Urbanism Planning Architecture Italia (UPA Italia) studio won the architecture projects competition in 2021, and after about two years of planning, construction began in 2023. The hotel with 145 rooms, the villas, and the thermal area integrate among the remains of the pre-existing structures with a contemporary and sustainable language

Total immersion in the tranquility and well-being of Istisu

Istisu in Azerbaijani means "hot water"; the springs that naturally flow at temperatures up to 67°C, feed the pools, saunas, and Turkish baths of the new thermal area. The entire complex, which seems to lie on the slope of the mountains, is designed to offer a total immersion in the tranquility and well-being that the generous nature has to offer. For this purpose, access to the underground parking is at the back of the structure, hidden from the view of guests, while stone and wood, treated in a contemporary way, characterize the aesthetics of the complex in a reinterpretation of tradition

Luxury and comfort integrated with the landscape

In a harmonious balance with the landscape, the hotel is structured in three gradually descending platforms on the mountain slope; the lower platforms house the pools and common services, opening up to the view through large glass surfaces; the upper volume, which accommodates the rooms, features a jagged roofline reminiscent of the mountain skyline. The villas, with double-pitched roofs, reinterpret traditional architecture in a contemporary way, each offering guests luxury and comfort complemented by a private pool

The focus of environmental sustainability

The sustainability of the project for the Istisu Thermal Complex is certainly a fundamental focus. The environmental impact is minimized through the intelligent and responsible use of available natural resources. For example, the thermal springs also provide heat for heating, rainwater and treated wastewater with a natural phytodepuration system are used for irrigation; energy comes from a nearby hydroelectric plant; over 50% of the materials used come from LEED and BREEAM sources with at least 30% recycled material

Gallery

Photo credits
Top image, content and gallery images: UPA Italia - Paolo Lettieri

Designers credits
Progettista principale: Paolo Lettieri
Co Progettisti: Marco Corazza, Aswan Zubaidi, Sahar Yousif
Team di Progettazione: Paolo Lettieri, Marco Corazza, Aswan Ibrahim Zubaidi, Sahar A. Yousif, Alessandro Mingolo, Daniele Torresin, Ahmed Zubaidi, Marina Anisa Dewi, Duong Nguyen, Himani Madame, Maria Voronkova, Intan Lestiari, Zeynep Selin Talu, Zhuqing Zhu, Alesia Tukach, Francesco Terra, Federica Cassina, Teresa Eliana Sibilla, Ahmed Zubaidi, Firas Johnny Raheel, Bassam Charfli, Muhammad Faisal, Wassim Ahmed, Rito Manginlaud, Arul Robinson, Surendran Dharmar, Anila Nidhin, Mohammed Majeed, Gaber Mohammed Ali, Muhammad Faisal, Martin Goldmann, Miguel Caildeira, Teresa Malheiro, Ana Krivenokienė, Egle Ruksenaite, Edgaras Briedys, Toma Bačiulytė, Jurgita Masiukaite, Gurban Rahimli, Rafael Shirvani, Fuad Hasanzade, Anar Osmanov, Hamad Namazli, Haluk Ozdogan, Omur Yeker, Ahmed Aziz, Hisham Borghol, Fasalu Rahman, Mubariz Alizada, Marcello Brugola
Progettazione: UPA Italia – Milano
Progettazione impianti (MEP): UPA - Abu Dhabi
Progettazione strutturale: UPA - Abu Dhabi
Consulente SPA: E77, Vilnius
Progettazione acustica: Marcello Brugola Acoustic Engineering Studio, Milano
Progettazione del paesaggio: Mauro Panigo
Committente: Amministrazione della Presidenza della Repubblica dell’Azerbaijan

PEOPLE

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