Abstract
This article analyses the architecture of folk craft centres as a spatial expression of genius loci. It examines the role of craft practices in shaping local cultural identity and their influence on architectural decisions. Based on foreign and Kazakhstani case studies, it is shown that folk craft centers can serve as models for the integration of culture, education and the economy. Particular attention is paid to completed and planned projects in Kazakhstan that demonstrate the potential of context-oriented architecture in sustainable regional development.