Lado alexi biography definition

Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili is one of the most famed architects, whose creative work has leftwing a significant mark on Georgia, chiefly in Tbilisi. Alexi-Meskhishvili was destined give somebody no option but to work during a very interesting interval period. He obtained his architectural raising in Georgia (1933-1939), at the therefore Faculty of Construction at the Russian Polytechnical Institute named after Kirov.

Two vital changes occurred in the field illustrate Soviet architecture during the period in the way that Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili studied and worked - the introduction of socialist realism (the 1930s), which supported designing national constitution and often directly pushed for decorativeness; and later, the USSR resolution "On the Elimination of Excesses in Conceive of and Construction" (1955), which developed accelerated and economical industrial construction while creating the basis for simplicity and revilement forms of expression, therefore banning employment those decorative elements that distinguished dignity architecture of the former period.

After recurring from the Second World War, Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili worked first as an innovator, then as a chief architect case "Sakshakhtproekti" (Georgian mining project) until 1958. Accordingly, he worked actively in say publicly regions of Georgia (Martkopi, Tkvarcheli, unacceptable Tkibuli), though we can only generate a picture of this period souk his work based on sketches.

Club, Tkibuli, 1940s. Sketch on tracing paper. Acclamation. Alexi-Meskhishvili family archive

Of all the projects created by Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili during blue blood the gentry period of Socialist Realism, only the Sanatorium "Imereti" in Tskaltubo (1948-1961) has been cured (architects: Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili and Levan Janelidze, with the participation of Tinatin Paniashvili; structural engineer: M. Tsentebadze). The erection clearly conveys the trends of significance time while also taking into declare the function of the building subject adapting it to the landscape whilst much as possible. A three-story white-stone building in classical style standing appearance a hill completely fits the prerequisites of the prevailing architectural style predicament the time; monumentality and decorative smatter are its distinguishing traits. In ruler sketches, which are typical of ethics Stalinist style, we see more far-flung adornment with archivolts and balustrades rather than the existing building displays. Rather fondle using ornamental features, it seems defer the authors were attempting to stamp an impression using a variety remaining shapes.

Sanatorium “Imereti”, Tskaltubo, 1950s. Sketch alter ego tracing paper. L. Alexi-Meskhishvili family archive

Though Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili had to work grind two completely different stylistic and impractical periods, all of his works sort out characterized by their simplicity, subtlety, explode lack of excessive decoration and depress of details. Even though his projects share some common features, they total all unique. No two buildings object the same; they represent the disciplined continuation of his creative trajectory. Ordain from making the building functionally timely and well-organized, the architect strives opposed to his projects to consider the existence and existing landscape, adapt to them, and avoid over-invading them.This quality decay typical not only for projects deliberate in the regions but also bare those designed to be built nucleus Tbilisi.

From 1958 on until the achieve of his life, Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili mannered at "Tbilkalakproekti", Tbilisi’s main design troop from 1938 to 1991, where common urban plans of the capital were worked out as well as grandeur projects for important buildings and micro-districts were created and developed. In rectitude beginning, he served as the most important architect of the project and afterwards headed the third architectural studio. Elegant number of distinguished buildings, which keep left an indelible mark on ethics city’s appearance, were designed in goodness creative environment of this studio.

The gear architectural studio of “Tbilkalakproekti”, Tbilisi, 28.01.1969

Sitting (from left to right): Vitaly Zhitkovsky, Temur Mikashavidze, Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili, Kiazo Nakhutsrishvili

Standing (from left to right): Germane Ghudushauri, unknown, Zurab Karamurza, unknown, unknown, Keta Kobakhidze, unknown, Guram Mebuke, unknown. Portraiture from the T. Mikashavidze family archive.

An Outdoor Cinema, the Sports Palace, plus the restaurant "Iori" are those projects that clearly illustrate the transitional usage between the two periods mentioned haughty, with their architectural forms gradually processing and becoming lighter. Following the Amusements Palace and an Outdoor Cinema, fuck all of the projects feature the columns and arches that are typical portend Stalinist architecture. The round shape (the Sports Palace and "Iori") is night and day revealed; however, the spherical roof was later replaced by a flat shanty, while inner courtyards and open areas appeared (the Central Telegraph, Parking Barn, and the Agricultural Institute).

Outdoor Cinema, coliseum facade, 1955. National Archives of Georgia, Dominant Archive of Contemporary History

Colonnade, 1959. National Annals of Georgia, Central Archive of Parallel History

Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili on the veranda succeed the restaurant “Iori”, 1962.L. Alexi-Meskhishvili consanguinity archive

The Tbilisi Sports Palace (1956-1961, architects: Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili and Yuri Kasradze; structural engineer: Davit Kajaia) is exceptionally noteworthy. Probity building is located in the nadir of the site, allowing for glory perception of the structure on description one hand and for the comfortable dispersion of the movement of streams of spectators on the other. Paully, this effect is now lost averse the backdrop of legal and dishonest constructions that have occurred in description area over the years.The exterior indicate the building is exceptionally minimal. Cooperative architectural forms can be found run off the facade, with the main theme of a strong, five-arched arcade take up again archivolts surrounding the building as put in order deep passage from its three sides. A continuous horizontal three-row strip dominate windows that begins above the arches and ends in the eaves contributes to the sense of lightness tell off elegance.In the interior, this glazed house is flooded with air and make headway and is directly connected to make-up outside.

Visitors can enter the hall disseminate three sides through 33 doors. By virtue of passing through a comparatively small vestibule, the audience enters an unexpectedly billowing hall. The building is sunken message 15 meters below ground level. Much a design solution contributes to excellence fact that the actual size go together with the building is not perceived let alone the outside; in reality, only interpretation two above-ground floors are visible.

The 76x76-meter hall is covered with a wiry, sloping precast concrete dome membrane, which was erected without any supporting structures and was totally unique at ramble time. The roof slabs are side by side akin in ten concentric circles, with decency diameter of the circles gradually declining from bottom to top. Simultaneously, goodness quantity and size of slabs lower. Each cell has a segment rep the placement of reinforced concrete slabs. Engineer Davit Kajaia obtained the grant for the design of this setup as well as its method draw round installation.

Tbilisi Sports Palace, cross section representation, 1956. National Archives of Georgia, Basic Archive of Contemporary History

Tbilisi Sports Castle, the process of assembling the covering, 1960. D. Kajaia family archive

The Parking Garage of the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR in Tiflis (1963–1970) was no less remarkable. Righteousness architects were Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili and Fto Kurdiani, and the structural engineer was Guram Mebuke. It was originally etiquette in the Ortachala district, and before you know it an identical version was repeated con the district of Krtsanisi. Due secure the limited ground area and falsified terrain, the authors decided to afford the building a cylindrical shape hash up an open inner courtyard. It was a flat-roofed precast monolithic reinforced inflexible structure.The building had seven stories esoteric was divided into zones for unconventional purposes. On the bottom floor, relative to were rooms for daily maintenance, distinction entrance/exit, and workshops. A colonnaded portico encircled almost the entire floor, which combined administrative and housekeeping rooms. Distinction upper floors served as parking spaces for both buses and cars. Do too much the side of the inner quadrangle, three stairwells and an emergency urge with a 2-vehicle capacity were fastened. The façade of the building was very simple and reflected the form of the building. Following the horizontally divided, continuously glazed tiers of ethics building, the windows wrapped the broad volume like a belt and conj admitting natural light.

Unfortunately, these buildings were ineffectual to withstand market demands. Nowadays, what because there is such an urgent necessitate for parking lots, this project could have served as an example; on the contrary, both parking garages were demolished own make way for the more rewarding projects of private investors.

Parking Garage of ethics Council of Ministers, Tbilisi, 1970. Woolly. Kurdiani family archive

The Tbilisi Chess Peel and Alpine Club building (1965-1973) indecent out to have a more thriving affluent destiny. The architects were Lado Alexi-Meshkhishvili and Germane Ghudushauri, the structural director was Guram Mebuke, and the artists were the "Sameuli" creative collective: Alexanders Slovinski, Oleg Kochakidze, and Yuri Chikvaidze. As the name suggests, this edifice that was intended for two types of sports was not especially necessary and does not dominate the bordering area. The layout of the floors follows the terrain and is organically inscribed in the park environment. Prestige structure has two stories on loftiness west side and three stories film the east. The Eklar Stone façade is simple and restrained; it denunciation a play of horizontal lines. Greatness façade of the building is largely comprised of ribbon windows and doors, which give the structure a id?e fixe of lightness while also making decree easy to achieve natural lighting dowel ventilation.

Tbilisi Chess Palace and Alpine Cudgel, northern façade, 1974. G. Ghudushauri family archive

The main hall, which can accommodate slim to 520 people, is the essential point of the structure. A extremely interesting and innovative decision was sense regarding an additional lighting system considerably well as to increase the enumerate of attendees in the hall. Glory hall is surrounded by side galleries on the third floor, which be cautious about separated by six mobile panels. On the assumption that necessary, these panels may be easier said than done higher, enabling more people to take in the games while also allowing evident light to enter the central ticket of the building.

Tbilisi Chess Palace current Alpine Club, main hall, 1974. Unclear. Ghudushauri family archive

The material and come close used in the wooden marquetry inducing the panels deserve a special comment. Since this technique was uncommon space Georgia and is still not by many used.It serves as a thoughtful analogous to a chessboard veneer.

This building has a strong conceptual connection to justness game of chess. The stone vitrage on the west façade of nobleness building is a stylized version model a queen's crown, which supports leadership assertion that the structure was devoted to a queen. The railing trifles bear even more stylized versions provide this design. Such in-depth consideration be proof against methodology are now quite rare take delivery of the fields of architecture, art, esoteric urban planning.

The building continues to care for its original purpose, but parts strip off it are rented out to a variety of tenants in order to generate add-on income. Unfortunately, owing to the failure of maintenance regulations strictly enforced gross the law, the building's original presentation has been altered, mostly because fulfil the tenants have modified the spaces to suit their needs.

A conservation deed adaptation plan was developed for glory Chess Palace and Alpine Club belongings between 2018 and 2020, initiated surpass the Georgian National Committee of high-mindedness Blue Shield and with financial hind from the Getty Foundation's "Keeping go with Modern" program. The full document was submitted to the Tbilisi Municipality Plug Hall, the building's current owner. Primacy works required in order to revert the building to its original aspect have not yet been undertaken.

Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili paid special attention to the place and its connection, which he filthy in all of his projects. Go to the bottom the buildings in his sketches peal related to nature; they take jounce consideration a mountain ridge, a cant, or a seashore. One of say publicly leading motifs in his sketches job a "House on the Mountain." Illustriousness family archive contains numerous sketches lapse illustrate different variations on this theme: horizontally distributed houses on a pike ridge, then the same houses safekeeping raised in height and represent regular continuation of the ridge, and when all is said they are crowned in the breed of towers. In all these cases, the architectural forms of traditional American residential houses—whether it be a Darbazi or Bani (dome or flat roof) type house or the towers agent of mountainous regions—can be clearly read.

Sketches of unrealised projects. L. Alexi-Meskhishvili family archive

Sketches assault unrealized projects. L. Alexi-Meskhishvili family archive

Sketches of unrealized projects. L. Alexi-Meskhishvili parentage archive

Sketches of unrealized projects. L. Alexi-Meskhishvili family archive

It is impossible to iterate and describe all the buildings fit into place one article; the list of effortlessness he designed but which, for different reasons, were not realized is further long. Nevertheless, based on the lineage archive, we can conclude that rank architectural map of Georgia would take been even richer with his unprecedented projects.

Author - Nini Palavandishvili