The building - the direction of the architecture of buildings is the former cathedra of architectural planning, which has been in existence since 1922. During this time, it changed its name many times and was called as architecture specialty (1922-1928); Department of Civil Architecture (1928-1930); Department of Civil Construction and Design (1930-1933); Cathedra of Architecture (1933-1969); Cathedra of Architectural Planning (1969-2008); Direction of architectural planning (since 2008).
The first head of the Department of Architecture was Ivane Tulashvili (1922-1930). Then the department was headed by: Ivane Kirkesali (1930-1938), Mikheil Machavariani (1938-1951), Mikheil (Mikhako) Shavishvili (1951-1955), Irakli Tsitsishvili (1955-1989), Giorgi Shaishmelashvili (1989-1992), Vakhtang Davitaia (1992-2009). Since 2009, the Department of Architecture has been included as one of the leading directions in the Department of Architectural Design and Urban Planning. From 2009 to 2017, the direction was headed by Mr. Vakhtang Davitaia. Since 2017, Professor Medea Melkadze.
The direction of architectural planning has in fact always represented the main direction determining the activity of the Faculty of Architecture. It is natural that the history of this department and the entire faculty is so closely connected.
At the first level of education - in the bachelor's degree - in the direction of architectural planning, such basic disciplines as: architectural
Theoretical and practical bases of designing, architectural designing 1, 2, 3" Normative and legislative bases of designing "Restoration, reconstruction, adaptation of buildings". Bachelor studies last for four years. The 8th semester is devoted to the completion of the bachelor's qualification thesis.
The aim of the academic discipline "Normative and legislative foundations of design" is to teach students the necessary normative-legislative base for independent architectural activity; Understanding the importance of international conventions and charters dedicated to European urban policy and sustainable development; Knowledge of codes of conduct in relation to professional ethics and urban planning practice; Understanding the legal responsibility of the architect-urban planner in matters of conducting the practice and concluding the contract.
At the second level of education, the direction serves the master's program "Architecture". Compulsory and optional subjects are taught according to the programs, e.g. "Dwelling-anamnesis in time and space." Mandatory seminar courses are also provided - "Theory and practice of architecture", “Research-generalization".
Every semester, the department systematically conducts an internal institutional competition to identify the best project of the group and course. Also, every year the direction updates the exposition. The conditions for designing cover many topics and, therefore, the projects are also diverse.
For years, the department has been participating in international viewing-competitions of students' diploma works, where the submitted projects have repeatedly received the highest quality awards. The direction has connections with architectural schools of many countries, including USA, Russia, Germany, France, Austria, Malta, Japan, Turkey, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Spain, Bulgaria.
Since 1996, teachers and students of the department have won many victories in various nominations of the "Day of Architecture" competitions. The majority of teachers work on real design and they are the authors of a number of realized objects and projects, winners of many professional competitions and participants in art exhibitions (course works of groups of Sh. Bostanashvili, N. Kvateladze, N. Makharoblishvili, V. Gelashvili, V. Kobulia and N. Buzaladze, N. .exhibitions of Kvateladze, M. Melkadze, Z. Svanadze, N. Imnadze and others).
The main field of scientific research of the direction is the study-generalization of modern problematic issues of architecture. In this regard, the following scientific topics are discussed: "Context in architecture", "The role of the historically formed core of large cities in the structure of modern cities (on the example of old Tbilisi)", "Poetics of architecture", "Living in the context of modern urban planning", "Verbal and visual communications in architecture", "Searches for new form-making principles in modern architecture - organic architecture", "Ecological architecture", "Problems of interaction between architecture and natural environment (on the example of Tbilisi)", "Architectural heritage and modernity", "Tourism and architecture" and others. Methodical guidelines - task for projecting have been developed, scientific articles have been published in local and international scientific journals.
In 1993 - 1998, the lecture course "Modern problems of art and architecture" was operated at the initiative of the department. Lectures were held by teachers of the institute, as well as invited specialists from various fields of art (theatre, cinema, fine arts, music, architecture and others).
From 2018 to the present day, scientific-practical seminars for master's students are held at the initiative of the department: "Modern architecture-problems and challenges".
From 2017 until now, professors-teachers of the department have been actively participating in the international exchange project EASMU+ and Erasmus K107 Project Mobility;
The department actively communicates with the mass media (V. Davitaia, M. Melkadze, Sh. Bostanashvili, N. Imnadze, D. Bostanashvili) materials are systematically published on today's problematic issues of architecture, not a single fact of "architectural life" remains without feedback. Radio program "Academic space" project author Nino Datukishvili and presenter Medea Melkadze.
The members of the department are involved in the teaching-scientific and public activities of the faculty. In addition to academic colleagues, internationally recognized and honored practicing architects of Georgia work in the department. Among them, Vakhtang Davitaia, Giuli Gegelia, Tengiz Gogolashvili, Gia Nadiradze, Temur Khojava, Vasil Kobulia, Zaza Svanadze, Gia Kifiani, Davit Chikovani, Besarion Tatishvili, Giorgi Kvitsinashvili, Tamaz Dograshvili and Mamuka Baratashvili.
In 1992, on the initiative of the department, the student competition "Paper Architecture" was established.
The phenomenon of "paper architecture" belongs to the field of architectural fantasy, metaphor, architectural dream. These architectural fantasies, utopias, hyperboles and metaphors are constant companions of architecture. Mental exercises, training, in the form of clausura-competitions, help to form not only a professional architect, but also an artist, a poet, an artist in general and "educate" their characteristic qualities.
Clausura-concussions play a major role in the most difficult process of formation and development of artistic and metaphorical thinking of future architects.
During the tenure of Mr. Irakli Tsitsishvili's cathedra management (1955-1989), such clause-competitions were often held between students of the Faculty of Architecture of the Polytechnic Institute of Georgia and the Tbilisi State Art Academy.
After Professor Vakhtang Davitaia took the head of the cathedra of architectural planning (1992), Clausura-competitions became regular. Since 1993, these Clausura-competitions have been held twice a year alternately at the Georgian Technical University and the Tbilisi State Art Academy. Traditionally, the theme of the competition is chosen and organizational issues are decided by the organizing party. The jury of the competitions is traditionally formed on a parity basis with the participation of representatives of GTU, TSSA and the Union of Architects of Georgia. These clause-competitions will strengthen the business relations and friendship of students and professors of the two architectural schools of Georgia - the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism and Design of the Georgian Technical University and the Faculty of Architecture of the Tbilisi State Art Academy. They have a rather ambitious goal and constantly remind the public of the universally recognized truth that architecture is one of the fundamental branches of art, in the philosophical sense of the word. From the perspective of these years, it can be said that these Clausura-competitions have become an important event not only for architectural schools, but also for the architectural society of our country.