Urbanists, architects to reimagine Soviet-era buildings in Tbilisi

The three-day event will review past, present and prospective future of the Soviet architecture in Tbilisi urban landscape. Photo: Campus Studio.
Agenda.ge, 15 Nov 2017 - 18:07, Tbilisi,Georgia

An upcoming program of public lectures, a workshop and a tour of an architectural complex in Tbilisi will attempt to imagine a sustainable future for Soviet-era buildings in the Georgian capital.

Undetermined is an event set to bring together urbanists, historians and the interested general public at the National Scientific Library of Georgia later this week.

In their talks and discussions they will focus on the past, present and prospective future of the former Soviet Industrial Pedagogical Technicum complex, located on Marshal Gelovani Avenue in Tbilisi.

A major example of the Soviet modernist architecture in Georgia’s capital, the building will be toured within the program before its role in today’s urban setting is reviewed.

Lectures and discussions will be dedicated to determining the role of Soviet architecture in the contemporary life of post-Soviet Tbilisi”, said a preview from organisers.

The tour of the building will be open to the general public on October 18, while professionals will gather on Friday and Sunday for talks on this and other examples of Soviet legacy in Tbilisi.

Local and invited speakers will discuss opportunities for prospective adaptation and development of the era’s architectural complexes and individual buildings in the city.

Within the agenda, a focus will be placed on historical, economic, cultural and political analysis of the Soviet modernist architecture in the city.

This will be followed with a workshop Determining the Future, involving participants from governmental and non-governmental organisations and students.

Led by Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Professor Claudio Vekstein and collaborators for the Undetermined initiative, the event will serve to "produce a potential plan” for the future use of the Gelovani Avenue’s former Technicum.

The workshop will conclude three-day event on Sunday.