Results: Eliava Bazaar

TerraViva has officially released the complete list of awarded projects of the architecture contest entitled “Eliava Bazaar”.

Eliava Bazaar Architecture Competition invited architects and designers to propose innovative solutions for the future of one of Tbilisi’s most dynamic marketplaces. With ongoing discussions about potential relocation or redevelopment, the challenge was to envision a project that could enhance Eliava’s functionality while preserving its cultural significance. Participants were asked to reimagine the market as a space that fosters community, improves infrastructure and integrates sustainable design strategies. The competition aimed to balance modern urban needs with the spirit of Eliava, ensuring that its historical essence and social role within the city remain intact.

The awarded proposals stood out for their ability to balance functionality with cultural and environmental sensitivity. Many projects embraced modular systems that allowed for flexibility in use, while others introduced green corridors and improved circulation networks to enhance accessibility. Thoughtful spatial planning and material choices ensured that new interventions would seamlessly integrate with the market’s existing fabric, strengthening its connection to the surrounding city. Some designs introduced elevated walkways, structured layouts and innovative shading systems to create a more comfortable and dynamic experience for both vendors and visitors. Collectively, the winning projects demonstrated a deep understanding of Eliava’s role as a commercial, social and cultural hub, offering solutions that respect its legacy while ensuring long-term resilience.

TerraViva extends its congratulations to all participants for their creativity, dedication and thoughtful contributions to this competition. A special thanks to the University of Georgia for actively supporting this initiative and for generously covering the payment of the First Prize, helping to foster innovative ideas for the future of Eliava Bazaar.

The winners were selected by an international jury panel composed by:

- Dimitri Shapakidze (Tbilisi, Georgia ) | Laboratory of Architecture#3
- Yasamin Mayyas (New York, United States) | WORKac
- Giovanni Aurino (Naples, Italy) | OD’A Officina d’Architettura
- Isabell Enssle Rios (Berlin, Germany) | TSPA
- Nodar Kvanchiani (Tbilisi, Georgia) | Altertopos
- Manuela Rosso (Cuneo, Italy) | Studio 3Mark
- Zhaoxiong Han (Los Angeles, United States) | Gensler
- Juan José Vargas Castillo (Madellin, Colombia) | TAP

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1st Prize

Eliava’s Eco-Hub
João Paulo Souto, Lucas Gabriel
Brazil

The current condition of Eliava Market evokes dissatisfaction among both tourists and local residents due to its poor organization and maintenance. This situation stems from a lack of infrastructure and public policies aimed at social justice in Tbilisi. We recognize that the market is more than just a place of commerce; it is a community hub where small entrepreneurs find their livelihood and where cultural and social exchanges flourish. Therefore, the ELIAVA’S ECO HUB project proposes a revitalization of Eliava Market to energize social and economic activities while preserving its essence. Our design proposal is based on four fundamental principles:

Accessibility and Inclusion: We aim to create infrastructures that mitigate the effects of socioeconomic inequalities in Georgia, empowering small traders and supporting the local population.
Human Scale: The entire complex is designed to promote a positive human experience, whether it be in walking, social dynamics, leisure, or self-management.
Community Life Encouragement: The project should encourage community life and social bonds.
Green Renovation: Considering the climatic changes that could affect Tbilisi, causing increased temperatures, heavy rains, and floods, we seek to bring architecture adapted to future adversities.

From this foundation, a wide diversity of new architectural programs is proposed. At the center is Eliava Square, intended for events and temporary occupations by the population and public authorities, such as cultural concerts, sports, fairs, and so on. Above, a residential village combines: (a) different housing typologies to accommodate diverse classes and family sizes; (b) urban gardens and orchards as an alternative of community urban agriculture; and (c) sports squares and meeting points. In the middle, we design an industrial shed with community production workshops to empower small producers. These sheds also include rentable spaces for medium companies, generating income for the maintenance of ELIAVA’S ECO-HUB. Following this, the new Eliava Market retains the pre-existing commercial sectors to avoid the displacement of original merchants, while also adding new markets related to culture and tourism. Furthermore, the new commercial stalls are designed with an expandable and manually constructed structural system, allowing the users to adapt the structure according to demand. We envisioned a bioclimatic design for the stalls and the industrial sheds, ensuring that both spaces are airy and take advantage of natural light. They feature a stack effect, and are constructed from wooden structures. Additionally, the commercial stalls are equipped with a fabric covering that can adapt to seasonal weather challenges, opening for cool summer breezes and closing against cold winter winds. All these social uses are intertwined by a dense multispecies park that spans the entire urban complex up to the banks of the Vere river. This ecological revitalization aims to mitigate local heat islands, contain floods, and restore the presence of Georgian fauna and flora in Tbilisi’s urban fabric. Finally, the project proposes a multimodal transport system that seamlessly integrates river and land routes, facilitating efficient movement of people and goods within the region. Thus, ELIAVA’S ECO-HUB emerges combining strategies of social justice, urban agroecology, green revitalization and sustainable production.

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About the First Prize – MANUELA ROSSO – Studio 3Mark
“The project stands out for its comprehensive and well-articulated architectural approach, developed with attention to every scale, from macro to micro. The proposal is well-organized and structured, naturally combining social, ecological, and economic aspects. The solutions designed to improve accessibility, sustainability, and inclusion contribute to creating a strong connection between the community and urban space, while the modular design allows the project to adapt to diverse needs. The integration of different functions comes together in a vibrant and interconnected urban ecosystem.”

About the First Prize – NODAR KVANCHIANI – Altertopos
“‘Eliava’s Eco Hub’ proposes an exemplary variation of urban spaces, read as the gradation from the hard to the fluvial scapes. The series of interconnected urban gardens from the residential area to the riverbed creates a sense of community, belonging, and connectedness. The selection of materials, programmatic disposition, and careful planning of interior and exterior spaces solve issues from the city scale to the details of interiors. Connection with the rivers as the potential link to the other parts of the city makes the project extraordinarily contextual and provocative.”

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2nd Prize

Invisible Wheels Of The Artefacts Of Need
Elena Cercel, Ana Mirela Ilie, Iulia Maria Coman
Romania

INVISIBLE WHEELS OF THE ARTEFACTS OF NEED

The market is the place where goods are exchanged since ancient times. Different layers and subsidiary functions have been added to this space, from civilization to civilization. What remained constant was the social act, the people who share a common interest and collide incidentally or intentionally. The history of markets intersects at a given moment with the history of exhibition spaces, even if the market has always existed through its primary function – trade. To expose means to amplify the value. This type of market does not interfere in the direct dialogue between the object and the buyer, there is no showcase between them, which facilitates the primary social interaction. The comparison with the cabinet of curiosities – Kunstkammer – sheds light on the idea of the market as a place of wander. A place where you can also find what you don’t know you need.

This need is the instrument on which the idea of a market is composed, and hence the metaphor of the invisible wheels of the artefacts of need. As it usually happens, the invisible layers (logistics, infrastructure) support the visible layers (social interactions, commerce, culture).

Measuring the weights between the different types of commercial activities that find their place in Eliava Bazaar, we considered that there is a hierarchy of importance and urgency.

Our idea was related to the problem of cars and everything that this branch involves. The existing old parking lot in the north of the site has a volume that deserves to be explored, either through refurbishing or refunctionalization: art gallery, vertical urban garden, skateboard place, event center, etc.. For the main proposal, we thought of a ventilated parking lot, which communicates in several ways with the above-ground space of the market and which has a double function: it not only stores vehicles, but also integrates “toolboxes”. These toolboxes are held by a simple mechanism of hydraulic pumps (inspired by the machinist landscape of car services that fills the market). These modules have two vertical stopping points, depending on the need of the moment: when they function as commercial stores, they are raised and leave room underground for 2 parking spaces each, when they are lowered, they occupy the parking space and are used for car services, and above ground, they leave free spaces, with integrated urban furniture.

The design of the modules is simple, made of perforated CLT panels, 8 on each facade, with dimensions of 1.4 x 2.5 m. The perforations have the role of being able to insert sticks and mount shelves on them, to support objects. They allow reconfiguration, the coupling of two or more modules, depending on the space needs of each one. Also, the fifth facade of the modules has a very important role, being able to be transformed into urban furniture. Basically, these ceilings are doubled, and users can unfold chairs and tables.

Also, another important point in the general mechanics of the proposal was the integration of green spaces. On the one hand, we thought of a buffer zone for the housing block in the north of the market – a green belt, which also aims to connect the park with the old parking lot, which could work in the idea of a re-functionalization. Within the grid of modules, we have proposed a large green space, which connects the underground space with the above-ground one. This space takes the form of green mounds that invite relaxation and play and that facilitate pedestrian access to the parking lot. Towards the Mtkvari river, we propose a bicycle area, with pick-up and return points, as well as the planting of trees to reduce traffic noise and pollution.

We sought to preserve what we discovered: a vibrant patchwork of images, colors, and activities—both a tangible composition shaped by the interplay of rooftops and also the dynamic movements of people within the market, celebrated as the quintessential public space.

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About the 2ndRunner Up – MANUELA ROSSO – Studio 3Mark
“The project enhances the market through the introduction of multifunctional modules, a ventilated parking lot, and the integration of green spaces, creating a balance between functionality and sustainability. The idea of the “cabinet of wonders” enriches the dynamic character of the market, offering a lively space where the areas transform and adapt to the needs of the moment.”

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3rd Prize

In Bloom
Jingzi Cui, Yue Pan, Yizhou Zhao
China

IN BLOOM
Eliava Bazaar is blooming, rooted in its current form, yet holding promise for a future of positive change. “In bloom” describes a transitional phase, where transformation is underway, supported by elements like a modular framework, rooftop gardens, plant-covered mesh screens, and flexible structures, each symbolizing hope and potential for growth.

The bazaar is a lively, intricate space defined by winding paths and closely arranged stalls. It’s a place of commerce, creation, and repair, selling everything from car parts to construction materials. The market thrives on improvisation, with spaces constantly shifting to meet the needs of vendors and customers. For decades, it has served a diverse crowd, but its complexity can overwhelm newcomers. Pollution adds to the difficulty, with tires stacked on metal roofs, muddy roads, and rainwater running through piles of car parts, making the environment unsustainable.

This proposal aims to expand the market’s accessibility, improving the experience for both locals and visitors through a clearer pedestrian network. The vision is to create a new market typology, one that separates pedestrian and vehicular traffic, incorporates storage solutions, and offers flexible open spaces for diverse activities, such as night markets, performances, playground, and outdoor dining.

The strategy centers on rerouting the riverfront collector road through the middle of the market, with a section tunneled beneath it. This creates space above for a greenway park. A central pedestrian spine will anchor the site, offering a variety of experiences as visitors move through the market. This layout also expands the riverfront area, bringing it closer to the water with steps leading down to the shore. A new pedestrian bridge will connect the two sides of the river, drawing more people to the market from across the water.

The goal is to create a more legible, pedestrian-friendly environment that retains the bazaar’s character while addressing issues of congestion, pollution, and accessibility. The proposed changes will not only improve the market’s functionality but also enhance its role as a dynamic, welcoming space for all.

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About the 3rd Runner Up – ISABELL ENSSLE RIOS – TSPA
“Exemplary urban design strategy and graphics, which holistically integrates transportation, sustainability, community engagement, economic viability, cultural heritage, and tourism. By introducing a new pedestrian bridge, the project strengthens connectivity across the river, transforming the market into a vital link within the broader urban fabric. The reconfiguration of circulation through a layered system – including a tunneled roadway, pedestrian corridors, and a greenway park – demonstrates a sophisticated approach to spatial organization, ensuring both efficiency and a high-quality public realm. Additionally, the proposal successfully enhances the market’s adaptability through modular structures, flexible public spaces, and ecological interventions that mitigate environmental challenges while reinforcing the bazaar’s identity. This visionary framework not only elevates the market’s functionality but also revitalizes the entire riverfront, positioning Eliava Bazaar as a resilient and vibrant urban destination.”

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