On the initiative of the Rector of the Georgian Technical University, Professor Davit Gurgenidze and Article 21 of the Law of Georgia "On Higher Education", the Order of the Minister of Education and Science of Georgia #133/N of September 9, 2013, approved by the "Statute of the Public Law Legal Entity - Georgian Technical University”, the Article 8, the report card of the Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Professor Nino Imnadze, and the protocol #01-05-02/23 of the Academic Board of August 14, 2020, the auxiliary structural unit of the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism and Design of the Georgian Technical University, "Architectural Bureau" was established.
The mentioned bureau is a continuation of the famous traditions, which was initially founded as a project group in 1960 at the Department of Architecture of the Faculty of Construction, under the leadership of Giorgi Chigogidze. Subsequently, since 1970, the mentioned group was transformed as a project bureau, which was headed by: Vakhtang Davitaia - 1970-1974; 1976-1977; 1982-1990; Guram Abuladze - 1975; 1978-1979; Demur Eloshvili - 1980-1981 years.
A large number of professors and teachers of the faculty, as well as young architects, were employed in the project bureau. In all topics (projects), several students were involved, some of them contributed to the project so much that they deserved not only the status of "participant", but also "co-author", sometimes even "author". Students were hired based on their academic success, which also had a positive impact on the learning process. Their activities were financially rewarding. Getting a job in the project bureau became prestigious for the student.
Specialists of various engineering fields worked in the design bureau, which ensured the perfect release of the design.
In a short period of time, the design bureau gained recognition and high professional-creative authority. Among the clients of the design bureau were “Sakhmsheni of Georgia”, various ministries and agencies, high schools. All new and reconstruction projects of the Polytechnic Institute of Georgia were completed in the design bureau, including such important, complex projects as the general plan for the prospective development of the Polytechnic Institute and facilities, the recreation complex in Leselidze and Kiketi, various educational and scientific laboratories.
Students of the Faculty of Architecture of the Dresden University of Technology, Brno Institute of Architecture, as well as a number of architectural schools of the Soviet Union have been practicing in the design bureau for years. It can be said that today, a large part of Georgian architects who are successful in the profession have passed the School of the Student Bureau of the Faculty of Architecture. During its 30-year existence, about 700 students worked in the project bureau.
In connection with the country's transition to a market economy at the end of the 90s, like a number of state project and scientific research institutes, the Student Project Bureau also ceased its 30-year existence.
The following worked in the project bureau in different periods: Ir. Tsitsishvili, R. Agababian, G. Chigogidze, M. Lortkipanidze, T. Kvirkvelia, V. Nikoladze, A. Chikovani, A. Korkotashvili, A. Kruashvili, N. Tevzadze, G. Shaishmelashvili, G. Gegelia, N. Janshiashvili, S. Salukvadze, M. Gugunava, V. Orbeladze, P. Khukhia, sh. Bostanashvili, G. Abuladze, Z. Sujashvili, Z. Titvinidze, H. Mosulishvili, P. Dzintzibadze, T. Kldiashvili, M. Gujabidze, G. Kvitsinashvili, K. Tabatadze, G. Lobzhanidze, Z. Kartsivadze, A. Guettner, T. Okhremchuk, V. Yureva, iv. Zlatman.
A number of monument and memorial projects were created in the Student Project Bureau. The bureau actively participated in various international, union and republic competitions, exhibitions. The projects (objects) created here are marked by various state and professional awards. Many articles on the work of the Design Bureau have been published in both foreign and Georgian periodicals.
As in the past, today, the main goals of the architectural bureau's activities are: giving students the opportunity to engage in real design, raising their professional skills, getting closer to practical activities and promoting architectural education among students. The Bureau provides an opportunity for professors and teachers of the faculty, as well as specialists in related fields, to use their knowledge, skills and creative potential in real practical work.
The architectural bureau is actively involved in the graphic identification and fixation of educational buildings owned by the university, their adjacent territories, buildings with teaching-auditory, laboratory, scientific-research and experimental-industrial functions, in the architectural-design solution of the university real estate fund and in construction, rehabilitation, in providing the relevant design and cost accounting documentation for the production of repair works. The Bureau is authorized to execute external orders as well.
Head of the architectural bureau:
Professor Giorgi Salukvadze
Address: I Building GTU
Email: gtu.archdep@gtu.ge
Chief Architect
Rati Neparidze
Leading architect, designer
Tornike Darchia
Lawyer
Natalia Kandelaki