The department was founded in 1992. From its founding, the department was headed by the eminent Georgian architect, scholar, and public figure Professor Irakli Tsitsishvili. After his death, the department was led by Professor N. Shavishvili from 2002 to 2007, and by the distinguished educator Professor Tinatin Chichua from 2007 to 2013. Since 2013, the Division has been headed by Professor Maia Davitaia.
The Division's principal research areas include the history of world architecture, archaeological architecture, the restoration and reconstruction of Georgian monuments, current trends and directions in contemporary world architecture, and the history and theory of Georgian architecture.
From 2013, the Division offered two academic programs: the master's program “Architectural Studies” (2013–2022) and the doctoral program “Architectural Studies,” both headed by Professor Maia Davitaia.
From its founding to the present, under the guidance of the Division's members, numerous master's and doctoral theses have been defended, and members have authored a range of scholarly and pedagogical works, including textbooks, monographs, lecture courses, and methodological guidelines.
Since 2002, the Division has held the annual I. Tsitsishvili International Scientific-Practical Conference, in the Tbilisi–Mtskheta format. Four conferences were held between 2002 and 2005, on the themes “Theory and History of Georgian Architecture,” “Urban Conflict in Georgia and Beyond,” “Issues in the Study of Georgian Architecture,” and “Architecture and Regulation.” Three special issues of the international scholarly almanac “Kavkasiis Matsne” (Herald of the Caucasus) were published based on the conference proceedings, and from 2005 the Division began publishing, under the auspices of the Georgian Technical University, the annual scholarly almanac “Kamara.”
As part of teaching the bachelor's program course “Discourse Topics in International Architecture” (taught by Professor Maia Davitaia), an associative method was introduced that proved effective in developing students' spatial thinking and imagination, helping them in the design process.
Members of the Division, together with master's and doctoral students, have published more than 300 scholarly articles. The Division's doctoral students are conducting research on current topics.