PORTFOLIO
2022
NDRK
NODAR
KVANCHIANI
Born in 1992, Nodar Kvanchiani is an architect, urban designer, and researcher currently living in Tbilisi. From 2020 he is assigned as an invited lecturer at the University of Georgia where he leads a practical and theoretical undergraduate studio - Basics of City Planning. As for his professional practice, with Salome Gugunava, he founded the multidisciplinary studio ALTERTOPOS. As well as, he is co-founder of an educational platform METAFORM, that is concentrated on the research of Georgian modernist architecture. In 2020, Metaform team made the research and international workshop named “Critical Analisis of Georgian Architecture” within the frames of Tbilisi Architecture Biennial. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning at the Technical University of Georgia Nodar Kvanchiani continued his education in Italy. From 2015 to 2018 he studied the master of science program in Architecture - Architectural Design at Politecnico di Milano. Under the supervision of Professor Stefan Vieths, Nodar Kvanchiani in collaboration with Hamed Jahanbaz developed the thesis - Theatre Academy in Berlin, where they explored the limits of contradictions between the modern morphology and the historical dimension of the urban fabric of Berlin. For his thesis, Nodar is nominated for the Young Talent in Architecture Award-2020. After practicing in Milan with Degli Esposti Architects, and in Barcelona, with Arriola & Fiol Architects, he comes back to Tbilisi. In Georgia, Nodar is mediating between imaginary boundaries of practice and theoretical research of architecture.
CURRICULUM VITAE Personal Information
Professional Experience
Nationality: Date of Birth: Current Residence: Tel: Email: Personal webpage:
March, 2020 - Present ALTERTOPOS - Architecture Studio - Tbilisi,Georgia. Co-Founder, Head of creative direction, Concept development, Presentations, Communication with clients and related disciplines Execution of the detailed architectural drawings.
Georgian 23.09.1992 E.Mikeladze 21, 0159, Tbilisi + 995 597772317 nodarkvanchiani@gmail.com www.nodark.org
Languages English Georgian Italian Spanish
Fluent Native Basic Basic
Software skills Autodesk AutoCAD, Revit, 3Ds Max Graphisoft ArchiCAD Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator , Indesign Rhino Microstation
High Level High Level High Level Good High Level
Professional skills Team managment, teamwork Presentations Communication with related disciplines Communication with clients
Education M.S.C in Architecture - Architectural Design Politecnico di Milano | Sep 2015 - Jul 2018 Thesis Project Theme: Theatre Academy in Berlin Supervisors: Stefan Vieths, Viola Bertini Team: Nodar Kvanchiani, Hamed Jahanbaz Evaluation:110/110 Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture Georgian Technical University | Sep 2010 - Jul 2014 Thesis Project Theme: Monastery Complex near Lisi lake Evaluation: 100/100 Urban Concept, Architecture & Design Art Factory Of GIPA | Jan - Jul 2013 Grade: 100/100 Award: Internship at Architect & CO School Diploma Physics and Mathematics #199 Public School | Jun 2010
September, 2020 - Present Invited Lecturer at The University of Georgia, Tbilisi. Undergraduate course: Basics of City planning Department of Architecture and design. Collaborator Lecturer: Salome Gugunava June, 2020 - March, 2021 NS Studio - Tbilisi,Georgia. Head Architect, Urban Planner To realize architectural projects and conduct researches October, 2019 - April, 2020 Multiverse Architecture (MUA) - Tbilisi,Georgia. Architect, Urban Planner To realize multiscale projects in the large team. November, 2018 - May, 2019 Arriola & Fiol arquitectes. Barcelona,Spain. Collaborator Architect To realize international and local competitions. March - August, 2018 Degli Esposti Architects. Milan, Italy. Non-compulsory Internship. Junior Architect To realize Architectural 2D drawings, 3D and physical models for the following projects: 1.Residence Carlo Erba in Milan (Colloaboration with Eisenman Architects) 2. Palazzo L’Altanella, Milan 3. Palazzo via Tolstoi, Milan 4. Urban Study, Milan. January - August, 2015 LTD Urbanica. Tbilisi, Georgia. Junior Architect Design concept, 2D drawings and 3D models September - November, 2014 LTD Injproeqtmsheni. Tbilisi, Georgia. Landscape Architect Concept and Design of public park in Tbilisi, Georgia. June - September, 2013 Architects & Co. LTD . Tbilisi, Georgia. Architectural Intern As a part of the team to realize 2D drawings and 3D models for various projects.
Awards and Nominations
Curator of Workshops, Seminars
December, 2020. Barcelon, Spain Nominated - Young Talent Architecture Award 2020 Mies van der Rohe Award Thesis project - Theatre Academy In Berlin.
19 - 30 Feb, 2020. Tbilsii, Georgia. Metaform: Critical Analysis of Georgian Architecture Tbilisi Architecture Biennial 2020 Theme: 28 International Students divided into 9 groups worked for two weeks. They developed, with the help of the tutors, drawings using formal analysis of nine architectural monuments from Soviet modernism. Metaform workshop aimed to rediscover the encoded intelligence in Georgian architecture and to rethink the knowledge accumulated over the ages. Lecturers: Peter Eisenman, Lorenzo Degli Esposti, Pier Paolo Tamburelli, Andrew Saunders, David Bostanashvili, Levan Kalandarishvili, Guram Tsibakhashvili, Aleksandre Chubinidze, Lena Kiladze. Tutots: Duccio Prassoli, Marco Grattarola, Hayk Martirosyan, Martina Rotilio, David Bostanashvili, Aleksandre Gachechiladze, Nutsa Lomsadze, Salome Gugunava, Nodar Kvanchiani. Jury Members: Lorenzo Degli Esposti, David Bostanashvili, Ernesto d’Alfonso, Lena Kiladze, Levan Kalandarishvili, Kyle Miller, Andrew Saunders, Gigi Shukakidze
January, 2022. Pavia, Italy Honorable mention prize TerraViva Competitions, Project: Plays of Ticino. December, 2019. Tbilisi, Georgia Nominated for the Best city planning project The wall of knowledge in Tserovani, settlement of IDP Journal Style. Association of Architects of Georgia. December, 2019. Tbilisi, Georgia Nominated for the Best Student Project Theatre Academy In Berlin Journal Style. Association of Architects of Georgia. December, 2019 Milan, Italy PREMIO NEULAUREATI 2019 Nomination for thesis - Theatre Academy In Berlin Order of Architects of Milan. July, 2018 Milan, Italy Nominated as one of the best Master’s Theses 2018 Theatre Academy In Berlin Politecnico di Milano September, 2014. Tbilisi, Georgia I Place - The best Bachelor’s project of the year Georgian Union of Architects Design theme: Monastery Complex. October, 2014. Baku, Azerbaijan I Place - The Best Public Building Design 2014. XXIII World Festival of Graduate Works in Architecture. Design theme: Religious Buiding.
9 - 27 Feb, 2020. Tbilsii, Georgia. Tserovani: Cultural Reinvention Georgian Technical University Theme: Revitalization of Tserovani Refugee Settlement To Propose the alternative realities and questions Participants: students of Georgian Technical University Lecturers: Carmen Fiol, Andrea Arriola, Nino Imnadze, David Bostanashvli.
Curator of Exhibitions
2012. Tbilisi, Georgia III Place - Science Fiction Paintings Competition Georgian Technical University Theme: Digital Technology.
30 October, 2020 Metaform Exhibition: Critical Analysis of Georgian Architecture Tbilisi Architecture Biennial Former Post-Telegraph building, Tbilisi, Georgia.
2012. Tbilisi, Georgia III Place - PAPER ARCHITECTURE competition Georgian Technical University & State Academy of Arts Theme: Puzzle Rooms.
16-30 April 2018 Milano RE - Rail Estate. Milan Design Week Architectural Studio: Degli Esposti Architects Galleria Tulpenmanie, Milan, Italy.
2011. Tbilisi, Georgia II Place - PAPER ARCHITECTURE competition Georgian Technical University & State Academy of Arts Theme: Floating Island of Dreams.
16 October, 2017 Photo Exhibition: Georgian Vernacular Architecture World at Polimi exhibition series Location: Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Scholarships
Workshops
2018-19. - Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
6-13 June 2021. Tbilisi, Georgia Japanese Tea House Renovation Workshop Architect: Nao Tokuda The Flow Zone Theme: To make a concept of renovation of Tea house in the old Tbilisi.
2015-16,2016-2017, 2017-18. - DSU Scholarship
18 May, 2019. Barcelona, Spain IAAC Bauhaus Costume Workshop Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia Theme: To fabricate costume for the IAAC Bauhaus Costume Party.
Scholarship for working and living expenses in Barcleona,Spain. Studio: Arriola & Fiol arquitectes. Finance Sources: European Commission, Erasmus, Formaper, Milan, Italy. For students of Politecnico di Milano
2015-16, 2016-17. - International Education Center Full Scholarship - for studying and living expenses in Milan, Italy.
2013-14. Presidential Monthly Scholarship - Merit Based For sudents of Georgian Technical Un iversity. Scholarship for living expenses in Tbilisi, Georgia.
20-28 February, 2017. Toronto, Canada Beyond the Edge, CHARETTE 2017, George Brown College. Theme: Revitalization of the waterfront of Toronto. Honor Code Certificate & 4 Ects Credits. September, 2015. Milan, Italy After EXPO, Politecnico di Milano. Theme: Rethinking of the Expo 2015 territory.
Courses November, 2019 - June, 2021 Fundamentals of Philosophy Academy of Thinking, Tbilisi, Georgia.
May, 2013. Varna, Bulgaria International Students Conference - Air In Architecture Theme: Innovation In Architectural Education.
May-Nov 2020 HarvardX: - The Architectural Imagination Professor: K. Michael Hays Online course offered by Harvard University. 26 June - 20 July, 2017 Project Management - IPMA ITALY Politecnico di Milano Result: Certificate of Attendance November, 2015 – February, 2016 Autodesk Revit - BIM software Private Online Course
Voluntary Activity 18 November 2017 RECUP Milano Description: To Collect remaining vegetables and fruits from a street market, in order to share with people for free.
September - December, 2013 MITx - A Global History of Architecture Result: Honor Code Certificate. Online course offered by MIT, through EDX.ORG 10-26 June, 2013 Interior Architecture & Design - by Peter Hoens Art Factory Of GIPA, School Of Social Sciences 17-19 December, 2012 Effective Presentation Course Georgian Technical University
Hobbies and Interests Oriental Philosophy, Freeline skating, Cycling, Travelling, Analogue Photography.
c
o
n
t
e
n
t
HANGAR TICINUM
08
THEATRE - ACADEMY
16
WINERY & HOTEL INAVARDE
36
SHAORI LAKE HOTEL
52
LANDMARKING the NORTH ENTRANCE
58
THE MIDDLE WAY
62
8
HANGAR TICINUM in PAVIA
TerraViva Competitions | 2022 The original structure of “Idroscalo” designed in 1920s’ by Giuseppe Pagano is considered as one of the pioneer buildings of the rationalist and modernist movements. The building has strong architectural characteristics that were studied and reinterpreted during the design process. Hangar Ticinium is transformed with the respect of the author’s visions about rationalist rhythm, harmonic proportions, delicate use of light, sensitive selection of materials and special views to the different parts of the city. Specific architectural intervention also reads and carefully touches the skyline of landmarks of Pavia. The proportional reading of the building is strengthened with the additional urban elements of the amphitheater and it’s balcony. It proposes the golden ratio as a whole, with the respect of the original object.
My Role: Concept development, Team-work management, Presentation
Teams: ALTERTOPOS & ADDRESS Pubshed at: TerraViva Competitions Exhibited at: Musei Civici del Castello Visconteo; Pavia, Italy. April 7th - May 15th, 2022
HONORABLE MENTION PRIZE
10
Architectonic interpretation also activates three urban stages that are corner piazza, indoor theatrical patio and outdoor amphitheater.The circulation, from the river bank to the top, is articulated with the curvy connector that penetrates in every outdoor and indoor space. As well as, It generates ground and +1 levels in which hanging atrium outline transformable space for different cultural and educational public activities.The spatial sequence is culminated at the edge of the additional balcony named “horizontal tower”, where it also becomes the edge of the urban fabric of Pavia.
a. Skyline of the landmarks
b. Axonometry of Pavia
11
c. Axonometry of Idroscalo
12
a. Elements
13
b. Generating plan
14
a. Urban plan
15
16
THEATRE - ACADEMY in BERLIN
The project area so-called Fisherinsel (Fisher-island) is located in the urban core of Berlin, on the southern edge of the Museum-Island. The territory has a very strategic location since it acts as the entrance of the central Berlin, the historic centre of the social, cultural, and political scene since the 13th century when the two settlements Berlin and Cologne were founded by merchants on opposite sides of the Spree river. Fischerinsel has been undergoing a dramatic transformation after the post-war reconstruction and is completely losing its morphological continuity of the medieval urban blocks. The project proposal comprises a theatre space, academy, and an urban garden, which are complementing the cultural densification of the museum island and the idea of Spree Athen conceived by Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The program of the architectural project is based on establishing the spatial relationship with the urban context by the articulation of the architectonic spaces, as well as demonstrating the historical dimension of Berlin as an inseparable layer of the city.
My Role: Co-Author, Concept development, Team-work management
Team: Nodar Kvanchiani, Hamed Jahanbaz Pubshed at: Young Talent Architecture Award, Magazine Style #78 2020 Exhibited at: Venice Biennale Online Exhibition
18
HISTORYCAL PRECEDENTS
Medieval City - 1740s
a. Berlin
Modern City - 1860's
Post-war City - 1950s
Contemporary City - 2000s
19
b. Museum-island
20
TOPOGRAPHIC CATEGORIES
ENTRANCE
a. Fisher-island
ARTICULATED EDGES
SCHINKELS' BERLIN
NATURAL TOPOGRAPHY
POSTWAR TOPOGRAPHY
21
b. Concrete city
22
PRIMARY FORM ‘‘ This project is based on the hierarchical sequence of the themes, forms and construction in a way that each of them is defined by the presence of the previous one. The themes are requiring the specific form, which by itself articulates the constructive system of the whole building. ‘‘ ‘‘ Considering the main topographic categories mentioned above, a unique solution which is required for the architectural form as the ideal theatre space leads us to propose the primary form. This architectural concept, on one hand, completes the compositional organization of postwar towers, and on the other hand, it interprets the specific variation to the assemblage found on the on the second edge of the Museum Island. ’’
a. Spatial diagram
b. Axonometry Fisher-island
23
c. North elevation
d. West elevation
e. South elevation
24
SUPERIMPOSITION
Formal System A
a. Theatrical plaza
System A constructs the Grid
Formal System B
System B abstracts the Grid
System A superimposed to System B
25
b. Axonometry
26
ROTATION
Mass
a. Incorporated rotation
Subdivision
Incorporation
Void
Rotation
Unity
27
b. Generating plan - auditorium
28
SPATIAL SEQUENCE
Elevated Courtyard
Panoramic Terrace
Typ. Balcony Level
Tiergarten
Fisherinsel garden
Theatre Auditorium
Theatre Lobby
Experimental Stage
a. Urban gardens on axes
b. Functional distribution
29
c. Transversal section
30
a. Urban section
b. Longitudinal section
31
c. Bottom-up axonometry - auditorium
32
a. Concealing the core
33
b. Sectional diagrams
34
a. Berlin urban structure
b. West elevation
35
36
WINERY & HOTEL INAVARDE in KVARELI
ALTERTOPOS, Georgia | 2021-22
Architectural project territory is located in the middle of the vineyards of Sanavardo village, Kvareli, Georgia. The place has strategic location with its proximity to the Northern borders of Georgia and spectacular views to the Caucasus mountains. The research based project proposes the complex assemblage composed of three parts. The use of the two main materials: concrete and the shale stone establishes the connection to the conceptual roots to the Georgian vernacular and sacral architecture. The formal articulation of the interior and exterior spaces composes the specific and unique experience for the visitors. Since the function of the southern object is wine-making, that is the historically spiritual act, the formal reading of the architectonic spaces inherits the proportional characters from 5th Century Dolochopi Basilica.
My Role: Creative direction, Concept development, Team-work management, Coordination with Structural design, MEP, Municipality, etc.
Team of ALTERTOPOS: Salome Gugunava, Nodar Kvanchiani, Irina Maskhulia, Beka Bitsadze, Irakli Shubashikeli, Giga Kareli Structural Design: Progresi MEP: Casa Calda
37
38
a. Concept diagram
39
40
a. Generatin plan
41
42
43
44
a. Longitudanal section - hotel
45
46
47
48
DET-06
06 a. Longitudanal section - winery
05
04
03
3
49
საკადასტრო საზღვარი
2
საკადასტრო საზღვარი
2
+4.67
+4.67
DET-06
+1.65
DET-07
±0.00 = 324.83
-2.40
16320
DET-07
06
05
04
03
02
01 +1.65
00
±0.00 = 324.83
-2.40
02
01
00
50
“ Every project is requiring change and the optimistic escape from what it is. In the response of this state, architecture produces the matters through which one can understand that there is no way to escape, but just to watch it. We all very well know what is beautiful, but when it comes to design the words disappear. In this specific moment, production of the void becomes relevant. Especially in the country of Georgia, where Western culture meets the Asian wisdom. “
51
52
SHAORI LAKE HOTEL in RACHA
Invited Competition, Georgia | 2021-22 The architectural project territory is located in the beautiful Racha, region of Georgia. The place has a strategic location with its proximity to Shaori lake. The use of the two main materials: concrete and the local wood establishes the connection to the Georgian vernacular architecture. The formal articulation of the interior and exterior spaces composes the specific and unique experience for the visitors. The lobby space imitates the cliffs and rocks of the surrounding nature, as well as it opens the spectacular views of the Shaori lake. The spatial connection is articulated with two circular bridges that follow the curves of the buildings.
My Role: Concept development, Team-work management, Presentation
Teams: ALTERTOPOS & ADDRESS
54
Circulation
a. Axonometric site plan
Public facilities
Lake to forest
55
56
TYPICAL FLOOR-HOTEL ROOMS +5.20, +8.5, +11.8
Open
GROUND FLOOR ±0.0
C
Open
D
UNDERGROUND LEVEL
-4.20
A
B
a. Functional plans
57
b. Green axis diagram
58 STANDARD - 28.6
2
DELUX - 42.3
2
Common hall Bathroom - 5 m2
5
2
5
2
2
23.6
Living area - 23.6 m
2
2
23.6
2
13.7
Balcony - 6.3 m2
2
- 12.6
2
- 6.3
05'
02'
STANDARD - 28.6
2
2
DELUX - 42.3
LUX - 60.5
Common hall
9.8
2
2
5
Bathroom - 5 m2
6.2
2
2.7
Living area - 23.6 m2
Balcony - 12.6 m2
2
20.3
2
13.7
2
21.5
2
- 12.6
2
2
23.6
Bedroom area - 13.6 m2
- 29.8
2
D
05'
02'
13'
DELUX - 42.3
2
Common hall Inner hall
LUX - 60.5
9.8
Bathroom - 7 m2 WC- 3 m2 Living area - 20.3 m2 Bedroom area - 21.5 m2 Balcony - 29.8 m2
6.2
2
2.7
2
C 2
20.3
2
21.5
2
D
05' 13'
a. Room tyologies
2
2
- 29.8
2
59
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF GEORGIAN ARCHITECTURE
METAFORM | Tbilisi Architecture Biennial, Georgia | 2020 Metaform workshop on Critical Analysis of Georgian Architecture was held in October 2020 in the frames of Tbilisi Architecture Biennial. The project has been selected as one of the finalists in the biennial open call. The workshop aimed to rediscover the encoded intelligence in Georgian architecture through a process of critical analysis and reinterpretation of the knowledge accumulated over the ages. The workshop focused on the city of Tbilisi as a cultural field covered by architectural artefacts that have been materialized after continuous fusion with European, Asian, and soviet architecture. The essence, structure, and traces of those artefacts have been forgotten and are waiting to be rediscovered. Through the methodology of formal analysis, nine architectural monuments from soviet modernism have been analysed in terms of architectural characteristics: composition, proportion, semiotic meanings, as well as context and history. As a result, different analytic drawings, schemes, and diagrams have been created by the groups of international and local students, allowing uncovering of encoded information and establishing new knowledge in the discipline.
My Role: Curator, Creative Direction, Tutor Team: Salome Gugunava, Nutsa Lomsadze, Nodar Kvanchiani, Aleksandre Gachechiladze, Pubshed at: TAB online page, Exhibited at: Former Post-Telegraph building, Tbilisi, Georgia
61
62
LECTURERS Peter Eisenman Lorenzo Degli Esposti David Bostanashvili Aleksandre Chubinidze Andrew Saunders Pier Paolo Tamburelli Levan Kalandarishvili Lena Kiladze Guram Tsibakhashvili
Upper Station of the Tbilisi Funicular, 1938 Zakaria Kurdiani, Nadezhda Kurdiani, Alexandr Valabuev
IMEL, 1938 Alexey Shchusev, Patvakan Sardaryan
Tbilisi Concert Hall-Philharmonic, 1971 Ivane Chkhenkeli
JURY MEMBERS David Bostanashvili Lorenzo Degli Esposti Ernesto D’Alfonso Lena Kiladze Levan Kalandarishvili Kyle Miller Andrew Saunders Gigi Shukakidze
Chess Palace and Alpine Club, 1973 Vladimer Aleksi-Meskhishvili, Germane Gudushauri
Former Ministry of Highways, 1975 Giorgi Chakhava, Zurab Jalaghania
Hotel Adjara, 1975 Mikheil Melia
Palace of Rituals, 1984 Viktor Jorbenadze, Vazha Orbeladze
TUTORS Duccio Prassoli Marco Grattarola Hayk Martirosyan Martina Rotilio Aleksandre Gachechiladze Salome Gugunava Nodar Kvanchiani Nutsa Lomsadze
Former Bread Factory, 1987 Shota Bostanashvili, Vakhtang Davitaia
Former Archaeological Museum, 1988 Shota Kavlashvili, Shota Gvantseladze
63
Levan Kalandarishvili Parade Allé of Georgian Architecture 19 OCT 2020
Lorenzo Degli Eposti Drawings of the Palzzo 19 OCT 2020
Guram Tsibakhashvili Aesthetics of the Cemetery 20 OCT 2020
Aleksandre Chubinidze Graphic Meditations in Architecture 20 OCT 2020
Peter Eisenman Lateness 21 OCT 2020
Pier Paolo Tamburelli Fischer von Erlach’s Entwurff & the ‘‘wonders’’ of the modern world 23 OCT 2020
David Bostanashvili Close Reading: Self-Referential Architecture | 26 OCT 2020
Lena Kiladze Language, Reading and Beyond 27 OCT 2020
Andrew Saunders Baroque Topologies: Surveying as Radical Analysis | 28 OCT 2020
64
Upper Station of the Tbilisi Funicular Architects: Zakaria Kurdiani, Nadezhda Kurdiani, Alexandr Valabuev Year: 1938 Team: Almas R. Salsabila (ID), Bhavita Mandava (IN), Salome Tabatadze (GE) Tutors: Marco Grattarola (IT), Hayk Martirosyan (IT),Duccio Prassoli (IT), Martina Rotilio (IT)
Greek temple layout
Funicular layout
IMEL - former Institute of Marx–Engels–Lenin Architects: Alexey Shchusev, Patvakan Sardaryan Year: 1938 Team: Ina Barbaqadze (GE), Iveta Chxikvadze (GE), Ani Tsikoridze (GE) Tutor: Salome Gugunava (GE)
sion 0.0.100.100
65 B x 1.618 = A A x 1.618 = D 2A = C =E
Tbilisi Concert Hall-Philharmonic SOUTH-EAST ELEVATION
Architect: Ivane (Vano) Chkhenkeli Year: 1971 Team: Sandro Siamashvili (GE), Ani Goglidze (GE), Ana Kvatchantiradze (GE) Tutor: Nutsa Lomsadze (GE)
b=4/3a
a
2a
a
Chess Palace and Alpine Club
a
2a
a
b=4/3a
c
2,061
2,061
b=4/3a
Architects: Vladimer Aleksi-Meskhishvili, Germane Gudushauri Year: 1973 GSPublisherVersion 0.0.100.100
Team: Mariam Mestiashvili (GE), Mariam Pochkhua (GE), Luka Tavzarashvili (GE) Tutor: David Bostanashvili (GE)
66
Former Ministry of Highways Architects: Giorgi Chakhava, Zurab Jalaghania Year: 1975 Team: Davide Francesco Avesani (IT), Jessica Borriello (IT), Reem Khorshid (EG) Tutors: Marco Grattarola (IT), Hayk Martirosyan (IT), Duccio Prassoli (IT), Martina Rotilio (IT)
AA
AA
AA
BB
AA
AA
BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB BB
AA
AA
Hotel Adjara
AA
AA Architects: Mikheil Melia Year: 1975
AA
AA
DD FF
AA
AA
DD
AA
AA
DD FF
GG DDGG
AA
DD
AA
GG DDGG
FF DD
AA
AA
AA
AA
Team: Ana Natsvlishvili (GE), Dea Khizanishvili (GE), Mariam Gvinepadze (GE)BB BB
BB
AA Tutor: Aleksandre Gachechiladze (GE)
AA
AA
South Elevation
GG AA
AA
DD GG
AA
AA
AA
AA
AA
BB
AA
AA
AA
AA
AA
AA
AA
BB
AA
AA
AA
BB BB
AA
AA
BB BB BB
AA
AA
BB BB AA
BB
AA
BB BB
BB
AA
BB
BB
BB AA
BB BB BB
AA
AA
BB BB BB
AA
BB
East Elevation
AA
FF
DD
67
Palace of Rituals Architects: Viktor (Butsa) Djorbenadze, Vazha Orbeladze Year: 1984 Team: Alberto Aragon (ES), Huzefah Haroon (PK), Juan Manuel Jaramillo Londoño (CO) Tutors: Marco Grattarola (IT), Hayk Martirosyan (IT), Duccio Prassoli (IT), Martina Rotilio (IT)
Former Archaeological Museum Architects: Shota Kavlashvili, Shota Gvantseladze Year: 1988 Team: Ani Chumburidze (GE), Ana Giorgadze (GE), Irina Maskhulia (GE) Tutor: Sandro Chubinidze (GE)
68
Former Bread Factory Architects: Shota Bostanashvili, Vakhtang Davitaia Year: 1987 Team: Khomeriki Eka (GE), Zaal Siprashvili (GE), Gvantsa Tskipurishvili (GE) Tutor: Nodar Kvanchiani (GE)
Structural grid deformation
Structural Grid Deformation
Syntagm formation Syntagm Formation
Formal System - A
Formal system - A
Formal System - B
Formal system - B
Formal System - C
Formal system - C
Superimposition of A, B & C
Superimposition of A, B & C
2
69
70
THE MIDDLE WAY
Architecture, as a profession, has two distinctive and contradictory inclinations, which are asceticism on the one hand and socialization (public service) on the other. For this reason, true architect almost inevitably learns how to mediate between both poles by positioning in the middle way*. In each epoch of civilization, architects play the medium role that requires a certain degree of equilibrium between the immanent and metaphysical realms. As an example, viziers in ancient Egypt were building pyramids for their “clients” and Gods. So Phidias designed the Parthenon of Acropolis for the Athenian society and goddess Athena. So Étienne-Louis Boullée conceptualized the Cenotaph for Newton and his immense metaphysical contribution to science. So Peter Eisenman executed the project in Santiago de Compostela with purely public facilities while embracing the pilgrim routes in the project territory. Accordingly, architects in social Modernism developed the meta-syntax which was able to transmit certain knowledge and forbidden ideas by the communist regime. In this discourse, so Georgian modernists successfully managed to build Meta-forms that are proportionally, compositionally, and structurally hiding transcendental codes. In July 2020, the Metaform team conceptualized the proposal for the Tbilisi Architecture Biennial, through which we underlined the narrative that architecture has lost its objective references used throughout the historical development of this discipline. Moreover, we found the necessity of rediscovering the past, while forgetting the modern addictions, which are increasingly enhanced by technological advancements, artificial intelligence, vertical forests, the recent plans on Mars, etc. After discussions between us and several dialogues with Lorenzo Degli Esposti, we decided to unite and sculpt these ideas through an international workshop with all the people interested to join the research process. The investigation had started by stepping back and examining the drawings from the intellectually rich soviet era of Georgian architecture. The time when shared intelligence and collective memory had the dominant theoretical basis and power at work. The time after which, there is a rupture in the development of Georgian architecture. The later analytical process seemed like uncovering the untitled box in which nobody had an idea what to expect. While rereading proportions and formal articulations in the drawing of nine modernist monuments, we all gradually started to recognize their dramatic presence, manifested through current functions and/or physical appearance. The following text will try to make a short report of the present conditions of the nine masterpieces and optimism that the Metaform workshop rose among us. The students discovered a ziggurat-like section of the Tbilisi Funicular and its proportional distribution of harmonic spaces, that is still present in the monument. The building has a dominant land-marking character and geographical location in the city of Tbilisi. Interestingly, an examination of the layouts also uncovered the layering system with incorporated mass. These aspects led the researchers to find its particular similarities to the Parthenon of Acropolis. The IMEL (Institute of Marx Engels and Lenin) building, which had an unique educational infrastructure in the past, is a 5-star hotel today. The plan with two compositional centers has been found by the students. In the first center,
there is a statue of Joseph Stalin as the symbol of communism, while the second center hosts the auditorium as the metaphor of democracy. Besides, the layout of the Byzantine Church should be underlined in the plan and elevation, as the manifestation of the nostalgia of the pre-communist time church commissions executed by the architect. Tbilisi Philharmonic Hall has partially maintained its function and public spaces. Now, there are many private companies hosted by its complex circular composition. While the building appears to be a simple cylinder from outside, students read the juxtaposition of harmonic rectangles, triangles, and circles, dominating the plans, sections, and elevations. The Chess Palace and Alpine Club have maintained the function thanks to the local institutions, though the main spaces of the auditorium and panoramic terrace are closed to the public. The building requires a very peculiar restoration of interior and exterior spaces. The students recognized the symmetric and asymmetric compositions of all four facades that make the building unique. The former Ministry of Highways was primarily designed as the hotel structure, nevertheless today it is the head-quarter of the private bank. The monumental building of the area is maintaining its dominant character. The chaotic urban development of the surrounding area interrupts very special views of the building from different parts of the city. The international students successfully managed to decode the complex cube, which informs the plans, sections, facades, and structure of the building at the same time and manner. Hotel Adjara has maintained its original function. Even though, during the recent restoration of the South elevation, the primary entrance was shifted to the center, which eliminated the Author’s original idea of hidden symmetry of the ideal form . The students also rediscovered the triangular composition of the urban block, repeated to East elevation that represents the Pythagorean triangle with the ratio of 3:4:5. Designed as an entirely public building, the Palace of Rituals is currently in private ownership. Luckily, the owner can’t forbid the views to the building that stands as a mesmerizing - brutal sculpture and real masterpiece of Georgian architecture. The analytical reading of the building uncovered its mathematical precision of proportions, harmonic rhythm, and polycentric organization that sculpts the idea of a “new temple” in the era of communism, as Levan Kalandarishvili also noted in the first lecture of Metaform workshop. The complex diagram, repeated in the plans, sections, and elevations, manifested as a sort of musical symphony, has been read by the group of researchers. The layout of the plan recalls the Golden Fleece, which guided the students to find the conceptual roots in Greek mythology - “Medea” by Euripides. The former Bread Factory in the suburbs of Tbilisi has a radically different function and dramatic physical conditions nowadays. It hosts IDPs (Internally displaced people). Analysis of the original drawings leads the group to understand how the architects created postmodern, controversial, and even critical architecture with the mask of regionalism. Deep analysis showed the formal grids and systems that are superimposed to each other to sculpt an articulated assemblage as a unified whole.
71
The ninth building, the Museum of Archeology built-in 1988, with an uncertain fate, marking the time since Georgian architecture has been in the state of heavy sleep and rupture of 33 years. This monumental building, dominating the Northern entrance of Tbilisi, stands like the Sphinx, as Lorenzo Degli Esposti noted in the dialogue. With closer examination, one can immediately see the dramatic picture of the decaying and ruining process. The unique and natural stone tilings are falling from the facades, precast concrete parts of the unfinished building are still laying on the hill. The original building was intended to be composed of three cylinders, though solely the first one was finished as designed. The formal analysis of this building led the researchers to extract readings of the three abstract columns that are holding the hope of future progress in Georgian architecture. The entire process of the research and formal analysis of the nine buildings mentioned above shows the true current face of Georgian architecture and architects while appreciating the intellectual tools used by the authors of these masterpieces. We have witnessed the beauty of the treasure that is still waiting to be understood, reinterpreted, and restored.
Nodar Kvanchiani for METAFORM book Tbilisi, 05.05.2021
* In his book “In Search of Being: The Fourth Way to Consciousness” philosopher
George Gurdjieff describes four ways of living. The first three are the ways of a monk, fakir, and yogi. The fourth way is called middle way. This theme is further explained by Alan Watts, in his public lectures and books.
72
LANDMARKING the NORTH ENTRANCE
METAFORM, Georgia | 2020 The transformation design proposal, which is derived from the history of Georgia, is landmarking the North entrance of Tbilisi. The proposal reflects the research on Critical Analysis of Georgian Architecture, performed by METAFORM team in the frames of Tbilisi Architecture Biennial. The original idea of the building was to locate it on the hills of Tbilisi, to see the whole city structure, and to mark it. At a glance, you can understand the building as a fortification wall, which surrounds and protects the ancient city of Tbilisi.
My Role: Creative direction, Concept development, Curator of the METAFORM
Team: Nodar Kvanchiani, Salome Gugunava, Beka Birsadze
73
74
a. Urban structure
75
22.71°
b. Formal reading of existing
22.71°
22.71°
76
THANK YOU www.nodark.org nodarkvanchiani@gmail.com
+995 597772317