The Direction of Architectural Structures of Buildings and Architectural Physics, which was established in 2006 on the basis of the Department of Architecture of Civil and Industrial Buildings (hereinafter referred to as Architectural Structures), has existed since 1971 and has been successfully functioning as part of the Faculty of Architecture to this day.
The main goal of the direction is to teach students the features of the architectural-planning and structural structure (structure) of buildings and structures, the principles of energy efficiency and sustainable development, so that, using this knowledge in the process of conducting practical activities, they can solve the design of designed buildings and structures, their individual structural elements, nodes and details and process them at the appropriate design level.
An important part of the educational programs is the study of architectural physics issues (climatology, insolation, illumination, thermal physics, architectural acoustics), without which it is impossible to create a modern complete architectural project.
The direction is staffed with highly qualified teachers who are engaged in scientific and practical work in the field of architecture and architectural physics. Among them are doctors of architecture, full and associate professors, teachers.
The direction serves both the Faculty of Architecture, Urban Planning and Design, and the Faculty of Construction of the Georgian State University of Architecture.
The following academic disciplines are taught by the staff of the direction at the Faculty of Architecture: “Structures in Architecture” (Parts I, II and III), “Architecture and Structures of Buildings and Structures”, “Architectural and Structural Systems of High-Rise Buildings”. At the Faculty of Civil Engineering – lecture courses in the following subjects: “Architectural Planning and Urban Planning”, “Architecture of Buildings and Structures”. In addition to lecture courses, the direction’s professors conduct classes in course design, as well as practical and laboratory work.
Such differentiation of the above-mentioned disciplines is due to specific requirements for the teaching of architectural planning, which takes into account the peculiarities of various specialties.
The department offers education at all three levels of educational programs: bachelor's, master's and doctoral.
From the day the department was established until 1984, it was headed by Professor Akaki Berishvili. From 1984 to 1994, Doctor of Architecture, Professor Tengiz Kvirkvelia. From 1995 to 2006, Doctor of Architecture, Professor David Chichua, and from 2006 to 2015, Doctor of Architecture, Professor Levan Beridze. And since 2015, Professor Vakhtang Pirtskhalava.
Today, the department is successfully working: Gia Natsvlishvili, Bidzina Berishvili, Vakhtang Pirtskhalava, Giorgi (Gia) Beridze, Zakaria Shavadze.
During the existence of the department, in addition to the colleagues mentioned above, the following have worked at different times: Valerian Gagoshidze, Vladimer Nikoladze, Hamlet Mosulishvili, Lali Kandelaki, Eldar Chkheidze, Nestan Razmadze, Marina Nareshelashvili, Ilia Dogonadze, Enver Chikovani, Irine Gagoshidze, Tamar Landia, Givi Eristavi, Tinatin Eristavi, Aleko Korkotashvili, Platon Khukhia, Maka Malaghuradze, Giorgi Tskhverabashvili, Giorgi Mukhiashvili, Jumber (Jondo) Malaghuradze and others.
The members of the department have published textbooks, methodological guidelines, as well as auxiliary textbooks and normative documents. The members of the department have patented inventions.
The majority of the employees of the department are practicing architects. They successfully combine their practical activities with scientific and pedagogical activities.