Anna Madatova house, built in 1902, is a hidden gem located in Sololaki district of Old Tbilisi. This unique architectural wonder is characterized by a range of strong, atmospheric features that any enthusiast of unconventional architecture would appreciate, from the seemingly never-ending stairway guiding visitors through a dim tunnel to the worn and exposed structural elements.
The palace is barely visible from the street. It is made impossible to anticipate the scale shift that occurs upon the entry, reinforcing the bizarre character of the mansion.
The exit into the mansion yard is preluded by narrow, imposing passageways around the stairs. On top of that, the passage occupies a very thin slab, the type of thin that you can feel while standing on it. But I would argue, it is this intense feeling of instability that makes the walk into a promenade.
The sharp contrast between the exposed steel, brute concrete and somehow perfectly preserved art nouveau ornaments underpins the tragic fate of historical architecture in Georgia and raises questions about the ownership and public responsibility over such estates.
Nevertheless, the palace is haunting. Exposed structure, wide range of materiality and unusual architectural decisions, all work together, bridging the gap between aristocratic intricacy and solace of disappearance, creating a truly unique architectural experience.
0 comments:
Post a Comment