Shota Bostanashvili, architectural discourse and the foundation of poetics of architecture in Georgia

Abstract

Twentieth century Georgia has produced several leading architects who contributed significantly to the development of the theory and practice of the profession. One such architect is Shota Bostanashvili (1948-2013). He was the pioneer in the study of poetics of architectural design at the Georgian Technical University, Tbilisi. This paper addresses the setting up of the academic subject Poetics of Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism and Design and gives an overview of his architectural works. The early phase of his career is dominated by collaboration with one of the leading contemporary architects of the country, namely Vakhtang Davitaia who was head of the Design Bureau of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, the forerunner of the said university. During this period Bostanashvili designed and oversaw the execution of memorials known as the Cube of Memory (Senaki), the Temple of Memory (Mukhrani) and Glory to Work (Kutaisi). The later phase is dominated by, now demolished, a private residence and the Palace of Poetry, both in Tbilisi, the latter being his magnum opus. Bostanashvili’s theory of architecture draws on the philosophy of language and play. For him, discourse on architecture is intrinsically linked with linguistic play and semiotics.