Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has announced the development of Cityzen Tower, a mixed-use project in Tbilisi, Georgia. Located at the intersection of Mikheil Tamarashvili and University streets in the Saburtalo district, the 42-storey tower will include residential apartments, commercial spaces, and leisure amenities. This project is ZHA’s first in Georgia and is scheduled for completion in 2028.
Project Team, Construction, and Engineering Collaboration
The project is led by ZHA’s principal architect, Patrik Schumacher, with Manuela Gatto as project director and Yevgeniya Pozigun as project associate. The design and execution teams include Armando Bussey (Design), Bowen Miao (Façade), and Maria Avrami (BIM), along with additional team members Alicia Hidalgo Lopez, Besan Abudayah, Catherine McCann, Charles Walker, Ignacio Fernandez De Castro, Jessica Wang, Jose Pareja Gomez, Kutbuddin Nadiadi, Laizhen Wu, Massimo Napoleoni, Panos Ioakim, Takehiko Iseki, and Thomas Bagnoli.
The project also involves specialized firms to maintain high construction standards. Artstudio Project serves as the local architect and landscape consultant, while Capiteli provides structural engineering expertise. FMT Façade Consultants oversee façade engineering, and Zerone handles MEP services. Rendering is managed by Negativ, with animation by Render.ge. Sustainable Engineering Ltd serves as the LEED consultant, ensuring environmental performance and certification compliance.
Strategic Location and Urban Connectivity
Cityzen Tower is positioned on the former military headquarters of Soviet forces in central and south Caucasus. It is part of the larger Cityzen development, which aims to create a new urban district in western Tbilisi. The project benefits from its proximity to the city’s Line 2 metro system, major universities, commercial hubs, and new residential developments.
Key features of the master plan include:
- Pedestrian pathways and public plazas: Designed to enhance connectivity and community engagement.
- 23,000 square meters of outdoor green spaces: Providing recreational areas for residents and visitors.
- Integration with Central Park: Retaining 250 mature trees from the existing site and offering access to botanical gardens, woodlands, and sports facilities.
- Proximity to educational institutions: Located near several faculties of state universities, making it accessible to students and academic professionals.
- Mixed-use development: Combining residential, commercial, and public spaces to create a self-sustaining urban hub.
Architectural Design and Structural Concept
Cityzen Tower’s design reflects the topography of Tbilisi, with cascading terraces inspired by the region’s rolling hills and river valleys. These terraces extend from the tower into the surrounding landscape, forming outdoor spaces for cafes, restaurants, and communal activities. The structure transitions from a larger communal base to a compact residential footprint at higher levels, ensuring natural light and city views for all apartments.
The terraced levels serve multiple functions:
- Lower levels: Outdoor seating and retail spaces, creating an active streetscape.
- Mid-level office floors: Social terraces providing gathering spaces for employees.
- Upper residential floors: Private balconies with views of the city and park, ensuring privacy and comfort.
- Public access zones: Designed to encourage interaction between residents, office workers, and visitors.
- Structural integration: A seamless transition from larger public areas at the base to more private residential spaces at the top.
The tower integrates with the surrounding landscape through an incremental reduction in footprint as it ascends. The base has larger communal areas, which gradually narrow into a more defined residential space at higher levels. The project aims to maintain a balance between urban density and open recreational areas.
Sustainability and Environmental Considerations
The project integrates passive design strategies informed by wind and solar analysis. Key sustainability measures include:
- Extended balconies and external louvres: Reducing heat gain in summer and enhancing solar heating in winter.
- Natural ventilation: Optimizing airflow to lower energy consumption.
- Locally sourced materials: Supporting the region’s concrete construction expertise.
- LEED Gold certification target: Ensuring adherence to environmental standards.
- On-site rainwater collection and reuse: Using an integrated reservoir system to minimize water consumption.
- Drought-resistant landscaping: Utilizing native vegetation that requires minimal irrigation.
- Efficient waste management systems: Incorporating recycling and composting facilities within the development.
- Smart energy systems: Implementing energy-efficient lighting and climate control technologies.
- Sustainable procurement strategy: Utilizing locally available materials to reduce carbon footprint.
The integration of these sustainability measures ensures that Cityzen Tower will contribute to environmental conservation while providing long-term operational efficiency.
Project Timeline
The construction phase is set to begin soon, with completion targeted for 2028. Cityzen Tower will provide a combination of residential and commercial spaces that integrate with the city’s expanding infrastructure. The development aims to contribute to the urban fabric of Tbilisi, offering a well-planned environment that accommodates modern urban needs while preserving natural elements.
Upon completion, the tower will serve as a significant landmark in western Tbilisi, offering diverse functions that support the city’s economic and social growth. The integration of commercial, residential, and recreational spaces will create a vibrant community hub, setting a benchmark for future urban developments in Georgia.
Image source- amazingarchitecture.com, designboom.com
