Ministry of Transportation Building, Georgia
The former Ministry of Transportation Building in Tbilisi, Georgia, is a striking example of Communist design.
Architects George Chakhava and Zurab Jalaghania designed the building for the Ministry of Highway Construction of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR). Construction was completed in 1975.
The 18-storey building is notable for its unusual design which gives the impression of giant concrete blocks having been piled on top of one another at random. Built on a steep slope, three of the interlocking blocks are oriented on an east-west axis, while two are oriented on a north-south axis. The vertical circulation elements – stairs and lifts – are contained within three cores from which the rest of the structure hangs.
The harsh concrete façade and geometric form was inspired by the theories of the Russian constructivists, as well as the Brutalism movement and the Japanese Metabolists. Following an architectural concept known as the Space City method, parts of the building are raised above the ground, allowing the landscape to grow around and below it.
In 2007, the building was acquired by the Bank of Georgia who converted it into their headquarters, undertaking a major renovation, and installing a new glass cube entrance. In 2007, it was given Immovable Monument status under the National Monuments Act.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Abandoned movie theatres in Russia.
- Building of the week series.
- CCTV Headquarters.
- Constructivist architecture.
- Fuji TV Building, Tokyo.
- Habitat 67.
- La Grande Arche.
- Manchester Civil Justice Centre.
- Megastructure.
- Metabolism.
- Nakagin Capsule Tower.
- Owen Hatherley - Landscapes of Communism.
- Palace of Culture and Science.
- Robot Building, Bangkok.
- Scottish Parliament Building.
- Spomeniks.
- The Bierpinsel, Berlin.
- Unusual building design of the week.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.