From Colchis to the Amazon: A Synthesis of Kolkhian and Amazonian Eco-Engineering for National Parks in Western Georgia

Abstract

This work provides a comparative analysis of the architecture of the traditional "Oda" housing in the wetlands of Western Georgia with modern eco-tourist infrastructure in the Amazon basin. The study examines Colchian forests and swamps, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites and face the challenge of balancing conservation with tourist development. The aim of the study is to determine the possibility of integrating local vernacular architectural principles into modern eco-tourist planning. Special attention is paid to the constructive and climatic adaptation of the Kolkhian "Oda": passive ventilation, stilt foundations, and the use of local materials, and its parallels with Amazonian eco-lodge practices. Comparative analysis reveals that despite geographic and cultural differences, both regions have developed similar architectural responses to extreme humidity and hydrological challenges. The study concludes that the architectural logic of the Kolkhian "Oda" can be used as a basis for sustainable and ecologically compatible infrastructure in the protected areas of Western Georgia.