The department was founded in 1992. From the day of its establishment, the head of the department was professor Irakli Tsitsishvili, a prominent Georgian architect, scientist and public figure. After his death, in 2002-2007, the cathedra was headed by Professor N. Shavishvili, in 2007-2013, the head of the department was a meritorious teacher, Professor Tinatin Chichua. From 2013 to the present, the department is headed by Professor Maia Davitaia.
The main directions of research work are the history of world architecture, archaeological architecture, restoration and reconstruction of Georgian monuments, directions and trends of modern world architecture, history and theory of Georgian architecture.
Since 2013, two educational programs have been operating in the direction: Master's "Architectural Studies" (2013-2022) and Doctoral "Architectural Studies". The supervisor is Professor Maia Davitaia.
Since its establishment, many master's and doctoral theses have been defended under the guidance of the members of the department, and a number of scientific and pedagogical works have been created under their authorship: textbooks, monographs, lecture courses or methodological instructions.
Since 2002, they has been directed I. Tsitsishvili annual scientific-practical international conferences in the format Tbilisi-Mtskheta. In 2002-2005, 4 conferences were held on the topics "Theory and History of Georgian Architecture", "Urban Conflict in Georgia and Beyond", "Issues of Studying Georgian Architecture", "Architecture and Regulation". Three special editions of the international scientific anthology "Messenger of the Caucasus" with the materials of the conference were released, and since 2005, the direction under the auspices of GTU started to publish the annual anthology of scientific works "Kamara", which is registered in the international system of the Institute of Science and Technology.
Within the framework of the teaching of the subject "Discourse Themes in International Architecture" provided by the undergraduate program (pedagogue Professor Maia Davitaia), the method of associations was implemented, which turned out to be fruitful in terms of forming and developing the student's spatial thinking, imagination, which will help him in the projecting process.
Employees, master's and doctoral students of the department have published more than 300 scientific articles. Scientific researches on current topics are carried out with the doctoral students of the department.