International Closed Competition for Development of Multifunction Complex

MASSING / CONTEXT:
The two slender building masses of the Hotel and Housing complexes are situated on the plateau above the King Tamar bridge overarching the River Kura neighbouring the Institute of Structural Mechanics and Earthquake Engineering. Both volumes are vertical structures with elegantly matching proportions. Their slim twin silhouette creates a symbolic landmark of modern architectural significance. The towering structures are fused via a transparent architectural glass skin suspended from both towers and draped over the intermediate lobby space - harmoniously connecting both programs with an airy and generous lobby space. The resulting parabola in the building´s intermediate façade enhances the sinuous flow of the complexes silhouette.
In compositional terms a shift of the towers rectangular base along the diagonal site axis creates dynamic spatial relations between the two objects. This diagonal shift is aligned to the neighbouring existing institute building on the cascade towards the river banks and to the sites opposite boundary line, which is encompassed by the specific site topography. This dynamic composition relates specifically to existing site conditions such as city fabric and topography while introducing a new point of architectural significance in the cityscape.

VIEWS/LIGHT:
The architectures visual impact at the entrance to the city signifies in long ranging vistas the arrival of a new architectural planning strategy in Tiflis and Georgia at large. Marking a point of reference respectively a point of arrival the buildings will constitute a strong sense of identity via their gate-like composition.
In addition to the well researched and represented vistas from the city, the arrangement of both towers allow for maximised panoramic views towards the city, the river and its surroundings. Their diagonal shift and orientation generate not only attractive changing silhouettes from different distant viewing angles, but views outwards are optimized. Orientations of the western and eastern facades take into consideration maximum daylight gain to maximise well being and highest living quality evenly distributed within all flats and rooms throughout.

INTERCONNECTIVITY/ PHASING:
While the lower Housing Structure is situated aligned with the smaller scale institute building towards the north east on the edge of the steep slope cascading down towards the river the larger hotel structure is erected in the south west on the sites opposite plot boundary. Both functions work autonomously (they are served via two separate underground parking garages and core systems), nevertheless the design introduces a common interstitial space connecting both functional entities with a fluid roof structure. The double height interconnecting hall serves as a common point of arrival and departure for Hotel Guest, Housing Tenants and visitors of multiple events in the adjacent transformable conference hall. This communicative space is also served with a café and is set out to add surplus value in terms of future programming to the overall scheme in terms of versatility. The design conception takes into account a possible phasing of the two towers while maintaining its design integrity as well as its consequential final appearance.

CIRCULATION/FUNCTIONS:
As requested in the projects brief the arrival of cars is positioned in line with the street network towards the west of the site linking the car arrival as well as both entrances to the underground garages with the existing infrastructure. A central lobby space will manage visitor flows from and to the two tower shafts in a centralized manner. Intuitive orientation is catered for within the centrally arranged entry zones supported by information services in close proximity to the access. The central organization is beneficial to the security measures that need to be taken in such developments.
Hotel Visitors and Housing Tenants as well as Conference Centre circulation is differentiated on the parking levels that have access points to each of the elevator systems. Panoramic elevators lead to a shared lobby space on ground level towards opposing ends of the entrance hall so that visitor flow and access control can be further executed. A balcony level bridging between the towers first floors is dedicated to semi private functions comprising e.g. of Café, Boutiques, ATM Machines, Restaurant, Lobby Bar, Night Club etc. This gallery level serves as a means to further activate the interstitial space day and night.
The Conference Center and Business Center is allocated on level -1 connecting the entrance hall with sub lobbies as separated spill out buffer zones before and after events take place. The Conference Center has direct connections to the exterior via large glazed front windows and terraces towards the river valley in the east. On the Hotels top floor a Pool and Spa area providing panoramic views towards the City is a highlight for guests and visitors alike.

FAÇADE / MATERIALS:
The façade design unifies the architectural scheme formally via an inverse parabola shape connecting both objects in one single sweep. The façade between both towers is constructed from glazed panels following convex curvatures in plan and elevation, thus allowing space for panoramic lifts as well as interior balconies protruding from the rectangular plan layout of the towers. Cross communication and a sense of dramatic verticality will be achieved in these voids between the curved façade, the lifts and the internal balconies. Although a highly fluid and dynamic form is established between both towers , construction rationalization issues are taken into account and digital planning tools are applied for panelling, planarity and precision.
Towards the east and the west the outwards pointing façades are architecturally ordered with expressively articulated shear walls forming deep reliefs on the external envelope. These vertical elements address structural issues of cross bracing and lateral stability whilst managing to show the internal organizational layout and programmatic entities such as Hotel room partitions to the exterior. The coincidence of underlying programmatic organization, structural logic and colossal architectural order results in a highly coherent and genuine façade design facing outwards from the site. Balconies on the housing towers front add to the 3dimensional appearance of the façade pattern and increase the quality for tenants. This larger Housing façade is horizontally partitioned with frames in a progressive order to enhance an accelerated vertical dynamic.
The opaque structural elements are clad in light coloured satin textured prefab concrete panels. Large glazed walls create maximum daylight levels and support a vivacious façade image with changing opacity levels throughout the course of the day. Supporting steel elements follow the natural curvature of the inwards facing facades between the towers and underline the schemes fluidity with coordinated graphic lineage.

Architect: ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS
Zaha Hadid - Director
Patrik Schumacher - Director
Jens Borstelmann - Associate
Thomas Vietzke - Associate
Vincent Nowak - Lead Architect
Annarita Papeschi - Senior Architect
Tom Wünschmann - Senior Architect
Peter Pichler - Architect
Hans-Peter Nünning - Architectural Assistant
Frederic Beaupere - Architectural Assistant

Structural Engineers: WERNER SOBEK STUTTGART
Heiko Trumpf - Principal
Florian Gauss - Senior Project Manager

MEP: SCHOLZE CONSULTING GMBH
Andreas Lindner - Principal

Cost Consultant: HÖHLER + PARTNER
Kathrin Becker - Associate Partner