Editor Tbilisi Architecture Archive

Text Ramaz Kiknadze, Gaga Kiknadze, Nino Tchatchkhiani, Mariam Gegidze

Design arc Berlin

Printing and Binding Favorite, Tbilisi 2022

ISBN 9-789941-848599

Available in bookshops :

They said books
10 Akhvlediani St, Tbilisi 0108
Posta da Kona
10 Mazniashvili St, Tbilisi
0102
Stamba books
14 Kostava St, Tbilisi 0108
pro qm
Almstadtstraße 48, 10119 Berlin
m books
Marktstraße 16, 99423 Weimar
bruno
Dorsoduro 2729, 30123 Venezia

The first printed edition of the Tbilisi Architecture Archive is entirely dedicated to the aquatic sports complex known as “Laguna Vere”. The publication of the book coincided with the Tbilisi City Hall’s announcement, that the complex will soon be returned to the municipal ownership and resume its original function. It is unclear whether this plan provides for the restoration of the existing structure in its original form. At the same time, it is known that the change of the status of the recreation zone and dense development are being considered for the surrounding area.

Many generations of Tbilisi residents have a strong emotional attachment and memories connected with this outstanding example of Georgian Modernism, which today is abandoned and on the verge of complete demolition. Due to the high public interest, we believe that all plans related to the future of “Laguna Vere” and its surrounding area should be discussed publicly, with the active involvement of professional circles and citizens. The aim of our publication is to encourage a wider understanding of the importance of unique urban spaces, which will in addition, be a pre-condition for taking care of them.

The bilingual book contains translations of architect Ramaz Kiknadze’s 1968 Explanatory Note of the Project; Gaga Kiknadze’s text “Vere Swimming Pool” describes the history of the project’s elaboration and construction; Nino Tchatchkhiani’s essay “It’s Sheer Brutalism” is devoted to the uniqueness of the diving tower; and the “Swimming Pool Issue” by Mariam Gegidze tells the short story of public swimming pool projects in Tbilisi during the socialist era.

The publication includes drawings, sketches, professional and amateur photographs from the National Archives and private collections.

15.10–15.11.2022

“MAUDI”– Space for Contemporary Art
Address former Maudi factory, 140 Tsereteli Ave. Tbilisi, Georgia

As a part of the Tbilisi Architecture Biennial “What’s Next”, the Maudi Gallery hosted the exhibition “Future Presence” dedicated to examples of late socialist architecture in Georgia and the Visegrad countries. In the exhibition participated the Czech Centre Tbilisi, the Visual Art, Architecture and Design School VA[A]DS and the Tbilisi Architecture Archive.

Our aim was to draw attention to the architectural value and socio-cultural significance of the aquatic sports complex „Laguna Vere”.

The exposition included the archival materials of National Archives of Georgia from „SakInform” Photochronics, Central Archives of Contemporary History and Audio-Visual Documents; Personal photographs of the visitors, sportsmen and the pupils of the kids’ sports school; Personal archives of architects Ramaz Kiknadze and Shota Kavlashvili; Personal archive of the artist Koka Ignatov; Personal archive of Laguna Vere’s former director, Vladimer Goiashvili; and a photograph from Simona Rota’s photo-collection ‘Ostalgia’.

We want to thank the Tbilisi Architecture Biennial and Exhibition organizers, as well the National Archives of Georgia and all of the people mentioned above for the wish to collaborate and share their archives with us.

The exhibition was financially supported by the Visegrad Fund and the Creative Europe program of the European Union.