Inside a colorful retro-futuristic print shop at Tbilisi's Fabrika, machines and vibrant murals abound.

Tbilisi’s Fabrika Transformed: Sandro Kvirikadze Unveils a Retro-Futuristic Print Shop

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Written by John Oliver

2026-09-11

Brightly colored wall mural featuring abstract geometric shapes in a print shop.

In the heart of Tbilisi’s Fabrika, a former Soviet factory comes alive with the fresh vision of Sandro Kvirikadze. The JPG Print Shop, crafted to intertwine graphic design and urban culture, reimagines this industrial space with polished stainless steel, warm plywood, and a retro-futuristic aesthetic. This transformation represents the rise of a modern print shop that seamlessly blends the old with the new.

Close-up of a vintage printing press with a wooden handle and metal parts.

Industrial Past Meets Contemporary Craft in a Visionary Print Shop

This imaginative space bridges the past and present with its deliberate preservation of Fabrika’s historical architecture. The original industrial elements provide a foundational layer, upon which new plywood structures rise, embodying the unique characteristics of the environment. The contrasting textures of warm wood and sleek metal transform the interior into a tactile experience.

Structural elements, beyond their functional roles, become artful designs throughout the shop. Shelving and hanging systems integrate seamlessly, embodying the principles of Light Weight Architecture. The store is not just a venue but a fluid continuation of creativity, inviting visitors to customize garments and engage with design culture that this innovative space embodies.

Artist working on a digital design tablet inside a modern print shop room.

A Mirror’s Transformative Role

Among the shop’s standout features is a nearly three-meter-tall mirror composed of movable panels. This reflective masterpiece dynamically alters perceptions within the space. When closed, it maintains visual harmony with the opposite wooden structures. Opened, it introduces a sense of movement and change, enhancing the overall spatial flow crafted by Sandro Kvirikadze Design Studio.

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Shelves displaying colorful printed materials and art prints in a studio.

Modern Aesthetics with a Nod to History

The design leans on retro-futurism, blending strict geometrical forms with contemporary materials like stainless steel. This synthesis offers a new perspective on traditional architectural and furniture principles. The design doesn’t erase Fabrika’s industrial past; instead, it layers a contemporary narrative over it, weaving together historical memory with today’s cultural motifs. This narrative is central to the concept of this creative hub.

Group of people discussing artworks around a large print table.

The print shop encapsulates the synergy between Fabrika’s industrial legacy and the forward-driving force of modern design, creating an evocative space where the city’s heritage and contemporary culture merge seamlessly within the futuristic establishment.

Detailed view of large format printer producing a vivid poster.

JPG Print Shop emerges as a vibrant hub that honors Tbilisi’s past while pushing the envelope of design, embodying a place where traditional and current design elements coexist, embraced by the city’s ever-evolving cultural landscape, and characterized as a cutting-edge venue.

Collection of custom tools and ink cans on a workshop table.

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Wide view of print shop featuring large windows and urban industrial decor.

This project is a collaboration with Printshop_jpg, a pivotal client in bridging historical and contemporary design narratives. Extensive photography was provided by Grigory Sokolinsky, capturing the essence of this innovative transformation.

Sources & Links

Source: designboom.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the theme of the JPG Print Shop?

The JPG Print Shop features a retro-futuristic aesthetic that blends graphic design with urban culture, linking the old industrial space with modern design elements.

How does the design of JPG Print Shop retain historical elements?

The design preserves Fabrika’s historical architecture by incorporating original industrial elements as foundational layers while adding new plywood structures to create a unique environment.

What is a standout feature of the print shop?

A nearly three-meter-tall mirror composed of movable panels stands out, dynamically altering perceptions within the space and introducing a sense of movement and change.