Radical bricoleur — Tbilisi

01Feb31Jan

The Department of Architectural Design at the Higher Technical School of Architecture of Madrid (ETSAM-UPM), in collaboration with Ubani—Tbilisi Cityscape Research Center, dedicates one semester of master's programs to studying Tbilisi.

The Higher Technical School of Architecture of Madrid (ETSAM-UPM), as a public institution, is dedicated to providing high-quality education that is both accessible and leading in research on architectural design and urban planning. The primary concept of the teaching unit within the Department of Architectural Design is the radical bricoleur. This approach involves not just reusing existing structures and materials but transforming them into architectural components and functional elements that have more excellent value and significance.

The research workshop in Tbilisi focuses on Soviet heritage, industrial sites, and the informal conglomerates of the city. Key locations include the Tbilisi Electric Locomotive Plant, the Georgian Public Broadcaster Building, the Iveria Hotel (Holiday Inn), and Eliava Market. The primary methodologies of the research include adaptive re-use, controlled deconstruction, spolia and re-assembly, material passporting, and the urban exquisite corpse approach.

The collaboration aims to engage 40 master students from the ETSAM-UPM architecture programs.

Participants

Eduardo Castillo-Vinuesa Architect and professor of Architectural Design at ETSAM-UPM, Eduardo Castillo-Vinuesa focuses on sustainability, material reuse, and integrating innovative technologies in architectural processes. He advocates for interdisciplinary strategies that approach design challenges through an ecosystemic lens.

Julia Gankevich Lisbon-based architect, researcher, and multidisciplinary project producer. She serves as a European partner at NWDS architectural office, leads project development in Indonesia, and oversees international collaborations at Ubani – Tbilisi Cityscape Research Center. She brings over ten years of experience spanning architecture, urban research, and interdisciplinary projects, including large-scale urban developments and cultural initiatives across international contexts.

Jacobo Garcia German Architect by the Madrid Polytechnic (ETSAM), M.Arch. by the Architectural Association, and PhD European Doctor (cum laude, ETSAM 2010). After collaborating with Rafael Moneo (1998-2001), he established GARCIAGERMAN ARQUITECTOS in 2003. Since 2005, he is a teacher at the Madrid Polytechnic (ETSAM), currently teaching at the Thesis Group APFC with Professor Juan Herreros, besides co-directing the MPAA Máster y Doctorado en Proyectos Arquitectónicos Avanzados at ETSAM (2015).

Tatia Gvineria Art critic and cultural heritage expert, Tatia Gvineria graduated from the Faculty of Art Studies at the State Academy of Arts in Tbilisi and is currently working on a PhD thesis in cultural heritage. Since 2003, she has been engaged in cultural heritage issues and is a member of the Historical Councils of various cities and towns. She has been a guest lecturer at multiple universities and currently teaches at Black Sea International University. As an independent expert, Tatia works on historical settlements and buildings. She is a co-author of the Historical-Cultural Support Plan for Batumi, Tbilisi, and Khada Valley and has participated in various international projects as an independent expert.

Vano Ksnelashvili A Georgian architect and educator, Vano Ksnelashvili's work navigates the intersections of architecture, urban research, and education. He founded About Architecture, a globally engaged studio between Tbilisi and Copenhagen known for its award-winning projects. Before establishing his practice, he was a project architect at Architects of Invention (2010–2017). From 2020 to 2023, he tutored in the Architecture Program at the Free University of Tbilisi (VA[A]DS), co-leading the re-city design studio. In 2024, he was selected as a LINA fellow, further advancing his research in architecture and urbanism.

Irina Kurtishvili A Georgian artist and internationally recognized architecture curator, Irina Kurtishvili founded AA Architecture Ambience, an independent platform that merges an architecture archive with cultural and artistic practice. She has curated numerous exhibitions and authored several books and articles. Notable exhibitions she has devised include "Hotel Orient" (Museum of Literature, Tbilisi, 2014), "Dynasties" (Georgia’s National Museum, Tbilisi, 2018), "Marjanishvili Quarter" (TAB Architecture Biennale, Tbilisi, 2020), "Hotel Iveria: The City and the Tower" (Architektur Galerie, Berlin, 2022), and most recently, "Across the Divide" in Brussels. In 2018, she co-curated "Hybrid Tbilisi" (DAM Deutsches Architekturmuseum, Frankfurt/Main) and "Georgia in Five Stations" (Ringturm, Vienna).

Mikheil Mikadze A Georgian architect and educator, Mikheil Mikadze has been a co-founder and partner of the architectural office XOPA since 2015. He serves as an advisor to the MARCH School of Architecture, co-founded and is an author for the magazine Abraxas, and acts as an expert for Architects. As part of XOPA, he co-edits public and private buildings and interiors and creates exhibition projects, design codes, and research initiatives. He won the 44th Nisshin Kogyo Architecture Competition in Japan (2017).

Federico Soriano Architect and professor of Architectural Design at ETSAM-UPM, Federico Soriano is known for his extensive academic and professional trajectory. He has led numerous research endeavors and is celebrated for his visionary approach to architectural practice and pedagogy.

Partners

The Higher Technical School of Architecture of Madrid ETSAM-UPM

Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

NWDS architects Multidisciplinary architectural office

"Waterfront", Tbilisi
Credit line: Artsudio Project, 2023