Georgia is called the birthplace of modern architecture because it was the first country to pass a law legalizing the construction of Modernist buildings. This law, called The Georgian Architectural Revolution, was passed in 1922 and led to an explosion of Modernist architecture in the country.

Some of Georgia’s most well-known Modernist structures, such as the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre, draw tourists from all over the world, and anyone interested in architecture will find plenty to see in Georgia.

The antique structures in this Eastern European country demonstrate decades of architectural experience, while modern high-rises demonstrate its people’s artistic ability.

Georgia’s First Encounter with Modernism

Georgia’s modern architecture is frequently praised across the world. The country has a historic association with modernist architecture that stretches back to the early twentieth-century architectural revolutions in Europe and America. Architecture in the two regions took an interesting turn beginning in the late nineteenth century. Numerous well-known architects in Europe and the United States updated the art form, gradually displacing the old Beaux-Art and Neoclassicism styles. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, Robert Mallet-Stevens, and the famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was among them.

Traditional architectural styles were obsolete within a few decades as modern buildings acquired prominence. Georgia is credited with significantly contributing to and participating in the revolution that forever changed the city’s architectural design. While architecture is a constantly developing art form, Georgia’s tale has some extraordinary twists and turns.

The Black Sea’s East Coast heavily impacted Georgia’s modernist architectural movement. The country’s strategic position influenced its architect’s decision to embrace modernism. Over time, the country’s architects polished the craft, giving it a Georgian flair that has surpassed the popularity of most other countries architecture.

Former President Saakashvili’s Influence on Georgian Architecture

The twenty-first century heralded the start of a new era in Georgian architecture. Georgian architects had already dotted the land with modernist constructions. However, a shift in the country’s political regime accelerated the transition.

When Mikheil Saakashvili became President of Georgia in 2004, his primary goal was to modernize the country and make it more prosperous, but he also made architecture a priority for his administration.He reformed the Architects’ Union, appointed a new generation of architects to lead the profession, and instituted a slew of policies to support and promote architecture.

In 2006, he declared Georgia the Year of Architecture, launching a number of initiatives such as an architectural competition for a new Parliament building, the launch of a program to encourage public sector architecture, and financial assistance for young architects.

He also championed the growth of Georgian architecture, working with world-renowned architects like Zaha Hadid to create unique and stunningly beautiful buildings that would put Georgia on the map as a center for architecture.

Tbilisi Transforming Into A Modern Business Metropolis

President Saakashvili made significant investments in infrastructure, including the building of a new capital city, Tbilisi. Today, investors like David Kezerashvili are dedicated to continue modernizing Georgia and transforming Tbilisi into a modern business metropolis.

Former Defense Minister Kezerashvili left politics in 2008 to pursue a career as an entrepreneur and investor. Helping his hometown of Tbilisi in any way he can is one of his top priorities. Vake Plaza, a sophisticated corporate complex, is one of his projects in Tbilisi.The multifunctional business center is notable not only for its modernist architectural style but also for its importance to the business essence of Tbilisi and its people.

Its cutting-edge technologies, contemporary interior design, and sophisticated climate control systems provide an exceptional business experience. Vake Plaza is one of many new landmarks in Tbilisi that showcase Tbilisi’s architectural brilliance and express Georgians’ love for their country. Several more modern structures, such as the Tbilisi Public Service Hall, the old Parliament, and Gori’s Public Service Hall, have recently appeared.

What does Georgia’s modern architecture look like?

Modern Georgian architecture is unique in its own right, but it shares values of simplicity and directness with European modernist architecture. 

From a distance, one may easily spot a building with modernist architecture. The structure is most likely horizontally massed, with a large roof protruding from the top. Glasses, which enable floods of natural light, are also used in modern buildings. An open-plan interior architecture allows light to enter deeper, illuminating a large portion of the establishment.

Modernism is also reflected in the construction materials chosen. The traditional architecture employs natural materials, but modernistic architecture uses modern systems such as concrete blocks, steel frames, and column-free interiors. The building’s interior designers also utilize stylish accessories to enhance and optimize space.

Today, Georgia is dotted with fascinating modernistic structures, and architectural enthusiasts all over the world are on the lookout for Georgia’s next big project.