The idea of light and nature showing through a building was the fundamental concept of redesigning the headquarter of Bank of Georgia. Designed by Architectural Group & Partners, a great and extraordinary office building was created: Incorporating nature in the whole interior design in forms of light. The architects also realized a special highlight by using illuminated translucent concrete. More images and architects’ description after the break.
The office building is characterized by an amazing architecture and has been the headquarter of the Georgian ministry for highway engineering before becoming headquarter of Bank of Georgia, Tbilisi, with a total area of 10.960 square meters. It consists of five horizontal two-storied building parts which are arranged like stacks. Due to the raised foundation, the whole landscape and also a small stream can merge in the building.
Originally, the building was design in 1975 by the architects George Tschachawa and Zurab Dschalagonia. Main concept of the design was the so called room city: By raising the foundation, the space under the building was left for nature. Opened and lighted rooms between each part of the building – similar as in a forest – should show the light through and strengthen the physical comfort of each user.
In 2007, the building was listed as a national monument under preservation order. In 2010, the board of Bank of Georgia decided to renovate the derelict building as their headquarter. AG&P, Architectural Group and Partner LTD, Tbilisi, was charged with the entire planning. 2010-2011 the whole building was redeveloped and rebuilt. The ambitious and young team of architects went back to the main architectural idea to show nature and light through the building. Due to this, they installed LUCEM light transmitting concrete. Thousands of embedded optical fibers are channeling the light through the translucent concrete of wall and counter cladding. Walls, walks, receptions, offices and consultation desks are shinning and glowing from within.
Altogether, 300 square meters of LUCEM light transmitting concrete were used in different sections of the new headquarter of Bank of Georgia. The walk-in cube in the tellers‘ office at the ground floor lobby is extraordinary impressive. It is lined totally with white LUCEM LINE panels. The corridors and the reception hall in the asset management department are not any less spectacular as the wall parts. The ceiling was clad with translucent concrete.
LUCEM LINE injects a lightness and transparency into otherwise massive or even tight walls. The light transmitting concrete panels used for walls, ceilings and counters, were produced in Germany by LUCEM GmbH in a patented industrial production process. Embedded optical fibers are channeling the light through the panels and LUCEM also supplies a sophisticated mounting system with highly efficient LED-panels as light source.
Publication material via v2com
Architects: Architectural Group & Partners, Tbilisi Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Client: Bank of Georgia Mounting system: KEIL undercut anchors, Nauth rail system Lighting: Fluorecent tubes Material: LUCEM LINE Format: 120 x 60 cm Thickness: 15 mm Quantity: 300 sqm Year: 2011
