ARC Architects: Bridging Memory and Matter in Uzbekistan

Founded in 2017 by Bobir Klichev, ARC Architects emerged from the architectural community of Bukhara and remains closely tied to the cultural and climatic particularities of Uzbekistan. With offices in Tashkent and Bukhara, the studio combines minimalism and ethnic references to develop a contemporary language rooted in its context. Rather than reproducing a traditional image of Uzbek architecture, ARC seeks to understand how this heritage can be reinterpreted today, engaging with the overlapping historical layers of the country. For centuries, cities like Samarkand and Bukhara were important commercial and cultural centers of Central Asia, with architecture developed around interior courtyards and narrow streets, forming urban fabrics where buildings and collective spaces are inseparable. The studio's work, exemplified by the Hotel Mercure Bukhara Old Town, aims to connect past and present amidst the transformation of Uzbekistan's cities. The article, written by Camilla Ghisleni and published on August 31, 2026, highlights ARC's approach to creating architecture that respects local identity while embracing modernity.