Ak-Keme Hotel
Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Size: 38 800 m²
Stage: concept
Program: Masterplan, Facade, Landscape
Located in Bishkek, the Ak-Keme Hotel occupies a prominent site along Mira Avenue — one of the city's main boulevards connecting the urban centre with the surrounding mountain landscape. Characterised by generous green spaces and important civic buildings, the avenue provides excellent visibility and accessibility.
Unlike many international luxury hotels concentrated in the busy city centre, Ak-Keme offers the opportunity to create a destination that combines urban accessibility with direct connections to nature.
The client's ambition was to preserve the historic Ak-Keme Hotel, a landmark that has long been part of Bishkek's urban identity, while transforming it into a property that meets the standards of the international Mövenpick brand. The project therefore focuses on carefully rethinking the building's layouts and facades, balancing respect for its architectural heritage with the expectations of a contemporary hospitality experience.
The design concept draws inspiration from the building's distinctive geometry together with traditional Kyrgyz ornaments and rhythmic patterns. This approach establishes a contemporary architectural identity while reinforcing the hotel's historical character and its relationship with the local context.
The flexibility of the existing structure allowed the development of three strategic scenarios. Together, these scenarios demonstrate the long-term potential of the property while providing flexibility for different investment and development strategies.
