The 57,000m² project for Cityzen is located at the former site of a Soviet military headquarters, at the intersection of Mikheil Tamarashvili and University streets in the Saburtalo district.
As a’vertical ‘extension’ of Tbilisi’s new 36-hectare central park, this primarily residential tower will be a major part of a bigger housing-focused area that is now being developed. Four blocks next to the tower will house 886 residences, while the ZHA-designed building will also include 405 apartments.
The design features a series of ‘cascading landscaped terraces’ that will extend from the tower towards the park, creating south-facing outdoor areas for cafés, restaurants, and community activities on the lower levels.
These terraces will function as social spaces for the office floors below and as balconies for the apartments above.
The London-based ZHA team is working alongside local firm Artstudio Project on the design, with the Georgian studio having previously contributed to earlier versions of the iconic tower.
ZHA recently reported a global fee income of £77.3 million for the year ending 30 April 2024, marking an increase of £7.8 million from the previous year’s £69.4 million, with nearly all revenue generated from international projects.
The skyscraper is anticipated to be completed by 2028.
Architect’s Perspective
Inspired by Tbilisi’s rolling hills and river valleys, the design of Cityzen Tower by Zaha Hadid Architects reflects the city’s urban landscape and natural surroundings.
The tower’s structure is characterized by the gradual merging of expansive communal areas on the lower floors facing the park with the smaller, diamond-shaped footprint of the residential units above. This approach ensures that each apartment benefits from ample natural light and stunning views, with the differing requirements for the lower and upper levels culminating in a subtle twist in the overall design.
Comprehensive local wind and solar studies have informed various aspects of the 42-storey tower’s design to enhance comfort for residents and visitors to Cityzen’s public plazas, terraces, and recreational spaces.
Designed for Tbilisi’s humid temperate climate, Cityzen Tower aims to maximize natural ventilation. Its extended balconies and external louvres will reduce direct sunlight during summer while allowing solar warmth in winter, thereby lowering energy consumption.
The tower’s concrete framework continues Tbilisi’s tradition of concrete construction, utilizing local expertise. Targeting LEED Gold certification, the project will prioritize locally sourced recycled materials when feasible. Additionally, the development will feature rainwater collection systems and landscaping with native plants that do not require extra irrigation.
Project Details
- Client Cityzen (a subsidiary of IG Development Georgia)
- Location Corner of Mikheil Tamarashvili and University streets, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Architect Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
- Design Team Patrik Schumacher; project director: Manuela Gatto; project associate: Yevgeniya Pozigun; project architects: Takehiko Iseki, Massimo Napoleoni; project leads: Armando Bussey (design), Bowen Miao (facade), Maria Avrami (BIM); technical coordination: Kutbuddin Nadiadi; analytics and insights: Uli Blum, Danial Haziq; sustainability team: Aleksander Mastalski, Aditya Ambare, Carlos Bausa Martinez, Shibani Choudhury, Disha Shetty
- Local Architect Artstudio Project
- Structural Engineers Capiteli
- Façade Engineering FMT Façade Consultants
- MEP Zerone
- Landscape Consultant Artstudio Project
- Rendering Negativ
LEED Consultant Sustainable Engineering
Expected Completion 2028
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