Alizi / Lazuri
At the 2022 Tbilisi Art Fair, Idaaf Architects presented the exhibition: Alizi / Lazuri, which results from recent research by Idaaf Architects into Adobe and Lazuri Houses. These specially created sculptural items were made for the Tbilisi Art Fair and use colourful Georgian soils and the architectural principles of Lazuri houses found in the Adjara region, combining the aesthetics of both.
The presented exposition is the initial results of the workshop by Idaaf Architects in the period of June-September 2022. As part of Idaaf Architects study, "Adobe - New Design and Prospects for Use in Modern Construction", studio visited the villages of Kartli and Kakheti, to look at local houses built with Adobe. Idaaf also explored soils of different colour from other regions of Georgia and by using these soils different types of adobe bricks were made, part of which is presented at the exhibition.
The study of Lazuri Houses took place in Chinkadzeebi and Zundaga villages in Adjara. The architectural style of these houses, their proportions and the use of materials inspired the items presented at the Tblisi Art Fir.
The exhibits are designed as furniture made from wood, adobe, glazed clay and aluminum. Each item is made to create a sense of dynamic height, and emphasize the variety of materials used.
The Alizi and Alizi/2 side tables was created in a modified form of the original brick shape created at Idaaf Architects studio. The walnut wood base is supporting two/three pieces of adobe bricks, which are sun dried and have different colors. The colors of the soil is natural and is found in Kartli region.
The idea of coffee table Lazuri is based on the design of Lazuri houses. White glazed tiles are inserted in the square, hollow forms of Adobe tiles and repeats the architectural typology of the Lazuri house. The soils for adobe tiles are found in the Zhinvali and Garikula village and are presented in natural color.
The folding screen Nalia is a construction made of Nalia walls found in Adjara region. (Nalia is a grain crops storage in the western parts of Georgia) The openings carved on the surface of the chestnut tree seem to ideally resemble the Lazuri houses typology and repeat the concept of their openings with different forms of cuts.
Team: Nana Zaalishvili, Sopo Tsiviladze, Aleksandre Iobidze, Dea Khizanishvili.
Special thanks to:
Givi Jakeli - for sharing his knowledge about earth architecture and for his lessons in making adobe bricks;
Salome Berechikidze and Nita Iashaghashvili - for their help in making objects;
Paata Kharazishvili - for the wood works;
Construction company "Alizi" - for their financial and friendly support.
Photo: Idaaf Architects | Guram Kapanadze
