Georgia: Tbilisi Vice-Mayor Giorgi Tkemaladze has met representatives of international architecture firm Zaha Hadid Architects to discuss the possibility of future cooperation on the city’s urban development.
The Zaha Hadid Architects were represented by Director Ms. Manuela Gato and Business Development Manager Ms. Mariam Novruzi.
During the meeting, ideas were shared about the application of the studio’s universal expertise in the realization of the capital city’s ongoing urban change process. The meeting also considered the potential cooperation area that might be of interest to the studio, including advanced architectural concepts and public spaces, and strategic planning of the development of Tbilisi.
Zaha Hadid Architects is an international practice with a portfolio of work unified by the use of a specific vocabulary of fluid forms that shape their projects and revolutionize the skylines and urban fabrics of many regions of the world. Dame Zaha Hadid Pritzker laureate launched Zaha Hadid Architects.
This knowledge might also benefit Tbilisi, a rapidly growing city that is trying to respect its richness of history while dealing with city growth. Despite the physical, social and financial difficulties associated with upgrading the city, local officials have long sought improved building architecture and urban planning as a way to encourage investment and better promote Tbilisi on the world stage.
At the talk, the Vice Mayor outlined priorities of the Municipality and vision of the city’s development at present. The Vice Mayor also brought about a link of a partnership possibility between Tbilisi and big international companies, which could provide their best practice, innovative ideas, knowledge and technologies to the capital. Representatives of Zaha Hadid Architects were curious about the potential and prospects for the future of Tbilisi.
The question of how the contrast to the present design could be reconciled was therefore in the foreground. The old districts of the city, the discrepancy to today’s Design, the different topography and the country-specific culture are an opportunity and a challenge for the architect and a cooperation in the future was considered a task to be preserved.
The meeting was described as a first step for a possibly promising cooperation. While no project or negotiated agreements were announced, both sides had assured to keep in contact and to continue discussing concrete cooperation soon. Further negotiations are to clarify the possible fields of cooperation in public space or infrastructure or other urban fields.
A collaboration with the firm would be a major milestone for Tbilisi,City Hall officials said,and it would reflect the capital’s ambitions to position itself as one of the best-known firms in modern architecture and city planning in the region. City Hall said it would keep working with foreign partners to develop a cityscape that is more habitable, sustainable and beautiful.
The deal with Zaha Hadid Architects is part of a larger plan to turn Tbilisi into a city that is more inviting to the world, for current and for future generations.
