Tbilisi Central Park Georgia | LAP Landscape & Urban Design

In the beginning of 2020 LAP Landscape & Urban Design won the international design competition for the first Central Park of the Georgian capital city Tbilisi. The park covers 36 hectares, located in a former hippodrome in Saburtalo district of Tbilisi, which is a trending location for new high-end housing projects, ideal place for Georgian families. The park will serve 350.000 people living near by and will be able to host about 10.000 to 15.000 guests a day. Our aim is to develop a recreational area attractive for people of any age, where they can relax and take part in various leisure activities.

Public announcement

On the 6th of October 2020 the founder of Cartu Foundation of Bidzina Ivanishvili, has gifted the terrain to the Tbilisi City Hall. At the public announcement and presentation of the project, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia thanked Ivanishvili and the Cartu Foundation for the charity and wishes success to the project.

In the beginning of 2020 LAP Landscape & Urban Design won the international design competition for the first Central Park of the Georgian capital city Tbilisi. The park covers 36 hectares, located in a former hippodrome in Saburtalo district of Tbilisi, which is a trending location for new high-end housing projects, ideal place for Georgian families. The park will serve 350.000 people living near by and will be able to host about 10.000 to 15.000 guests a day. Our aim is to develop a recreational area attractive for people of any age, where they can relax and take part in various leisure activities.

Public announcement

On the 6th of October 2020 the founder of Cartu Foundation of Bidzina Ivanishvili, has gifted the terrain to the Tbilisi City Hall. At the public announcement and presentation of the project, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia thanked Ivanishvili and the Cartu Foundation for the charity and wishes success to the project.

Hippodrome to city park

The old Hippodrome was meant as a horse track, this historical element we used as base for the concept to transform it into a circuit with the main path for the park visitors. The circuit is 1.500 meters long, perfect for a run though Tbilisi Central park, that’s why it is also marked with distance signage. The circuit is a scenic route that connects all the park zones. The visitors can walk around, discovering different sides and atmospheres of the park. From time to time it ramifies diversifying possibilities of walking routes into different zones.

A park for everyone

The structure of the park is creating a park for all and a park that responds to needs and desires of

diverse social groups. To achieve that, the plan is created from multiple flexible zones that

interact with each other and can change in the future if needed. Functions of those zones,

located in the egg-shaped areas, were carefully chosen and studied according to the origin of

the place and current societal needs.

Mikado playground, a composition of tree trunks, dedicated for smaller children who want to play while their family spend time at the terrace in Park Village.

In the calmer point of the grand lawn, on the border with the Inner forest and Botanical

Garden, you can find the Area for senior citizens. It is an area dedicated mostly to elderly people who enjoy spending their time playing games like chess or domino. Tables with build-up game boards are located under the wooden gazebos that provide shade and enables air to go through.

The 26 zones have a divers program for everyone there is something to do or see.

Japanese garden

Away from the busy city life, the Japanese garden offers a place for reflection and meditation. This is the only visitors’ area in the park with a fence. Not to keep people out but to give people the experience of entering a different world. Japanese gardens are traditional gardens whose designs are accompanied by Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideas. With its natural setting designed to inspire reflection and meditation. Japanese Garden in Tbilisi Central Park represents this philosophy.

Around the garden is a ring of Cherry trees. In Japan, cherry blossoms are called sakura, a special flower for the people and the country. Cherry blossoms are a symbolic flower of the spring, a time of renewal, and the fleeting nature of life. This blossom period is an annual special moment and a moment of reflection.

The inner part is a Tsuki-yama garden, which translates to hill garden. Tsuki-yama includes a stream and a pond, water is found in many forms - it accumulates in the mirroring pond, runts in the streams and tumbles in the cascades. Water, contributes to the expression of nature and symbolises renewal, calm, wonder and continuity in the hereafter. The Japanese typical red bridge is a symbol of getting over difficulties.

The Japanese pavilion is designed as Machai (Sheltered Seating Area) - an open structure, made out of wooden beams and columns. The canopy has a terrace which people could sit on and have a peaceful look over the beautiful Japanese garden, with the water, bridges and planting. A few closed walls give some shelter. In the middle, there is a free space to host smaller gatherings for yoga or tai-chi classes.

Japanese garden

Away from the busy city life, the Japanese garden offers a place for reflection and meditation. This is the only visitors’ area in the park with a fence. Not to keep people out but to give people the experience of entering a different world. Japanese gardens are traditional gardens whose designs are accompanied by Japanese aesthetics and philosophical ideas. With its natural setting designed to inspire reflection and meditation. Japanese Garden in Tbilisi Central Park represents this philosophy.

Around the garden is a ring of Cherry trees. In Japan, cherry blossoms are called sakura, a special flower for the people and the country. Cherry blossoms are a symbolic flower of the spring, a time of renewal, and the fleeting nature of life. This blossom period is an annual special moment and a moment of reflection.

The inner part is a Tsuki-yama garden, which translates to hill garden. Tsuki-yama includes a stream and a pond, water is found in many forms - it accumulates in the mirroring pond, runts in the streams and tumbles in the cascades. Water, contributes to the expression of nature and symbolises renewal, calm, wonder and continuity in the hereafter. The Japanese typical red bridge is a symbol of getting over difficulties.

The Japanese pavilion is designed as Machai (Sheltered Seating Area) - an open structure, made out of wooden beams and columns. The canopy has a terrace which people could sit on and have a peaceful look over the beautiful Japanese garden, with the water, bridges and planting. A few closed walls give some shelter. In the middle, there is a free space to host smaller gatherings for yoga or tai-chi classes.

The modern interpretation

of the beloved French Garden

French garden invites a visitor to slow down the tempo and enjoy the long view lines, romantic turns and rich colour palettes of blossoming flowers. This part of the park is created by streamlined shapes “parterres de broderie” bordered by box hedging, a typical form of french garden design of the Baroque, filled in by varied ornamental plants, multi-drop low trees, romantic main paths, tend to be gravel and edged with clipped hedges, and garden paths - made from pressed earth, is a perfect place for a peaceful walk. The colour palette of plants in the French garden - white, pink, blue and mauve; follows the very traditional approach of 17th century, when many of the great French Formal gardens were created. Topiary plants, characteristic for the French garden, enhance the fantasy of this garden and lines of cypresses underline the majesty of it. In the heart of this garden, on the central axis of the park, there is a statue of Hippodrome underlined by view lines designed by plant-lines.

The French garden has 3 special areas that enriches its programme: Fountain area, Botanical garden, Skate park. Additionally, in the heart of the French garden, there is a Hippodrome statue of a galloping horse, in the axis of the park.

Retention pond

One of the challenges for Tbilisi Central Park is sustainability and the climate change. Tbilisi has hot summers and rainy springs. After an analysis of the climate, we conclude that the best sustainable way to water the park is through a retention pond. Measures are therefore necessary to adapt to the consequences of climate change, especially in regions vulnerable to flooding or droughts. Capturing water is a good way to combat drought and an unreasonable impact on sewers and water treatment plants. In this project, we have a wonderful window of opportunity to capture water in a retention pond.With a maximum water depth of 2,5 meter, and a minimum of 1-meter water we can collect a few million liters of water.

Ecological hill and Panorama point

Ecological hill is a zone that creates contact with nature through different adventuring experiences like the rope park, zip line or climbing wall. The idea of botanics is keeping existing trees and replant new ones if they are sick. Climbing the mountain means living the nature and once the highest point is reached, it is possible to enjoy the view over the park and city, thanks to the panoramic point.

The existing water barrel ruin on top of the mountain is a beautiful old construction, with a thick concrete circular wall. This location is perfect for a structure to make a panorama point to overlook the whole park and skyline of Tbilisi. The walk to reach the top is already an experience itself. With a slope of wooden planking, you walk around the water barrel slowly rising towards a height of almost six meters. The construction is self-supporting with steel beams and columns, with one meter distance from the water barrel ruin. For extra stability, it is connected to the water barrel with steel beams. On the highest point is a piece of plexiglass placed inside the wooden side railing, to give also a nice view for children.

Retention pond

One of the challenges for Tbilisi Central Park is sustainability and the climate change. Tbilisi has hot summers and rainy springs. After an analysis of the climate, we conclude that the best sustainable way to water the park is through a retention pond. Measures are therefore necessary to adapt to the consequences of climate change, especially in regions vulnerable to flooding or droughts. Capturing water is a good way to combat drought and an unreasonable impact on sewers and water treatment plants. In this project, we have a wonderful window of opportunity to capture water in a retention pond.With a maximum water depth of 2,5 meter, and a minimum of 1-meter water we can collect a few million liters of water.

Ecological hill and Panorama point

Ecological hill is a zone that creates contact with nature through different adventuring experiences like the rope park, zip line or climbing wall. The idea of botanics is keeping existing trees and replant new ones if they are sick. Climbing the mountain means living the nature and once the highest point is reached, it is possible to enjoy the view over the park and city, thanks to the panoramic point.

The existing water barrel ruin on top of the mountain is a beautiful old construction, with a thick concrete circular wall. This location is perfect for a structure to make a panorama point to overlook the whole park and skyline of Tbilisi. The walk to reach the top is already an experience itself. With a slope of wooden planking, you walk around the water barrel slowly rising towards a height of almost six meters. The construction is self-supporting with steel beams and columns, with one meter distance from the water barrel ruin. For extra stability, it is connected to the water barrel with steel beams. On the highest point is a piece of plexiglass placed inside the wooden side railing, to give also a nice view for children.

Park village

Every visitor will have its own goal to visit the park and find its own place in the park and spread out but almost everyone will visit at one point the Park Village for service. With restaurants, bars, information desk and a gift shop. The Park Village is a breathing concept. That means that it can grow, and shrink, with the seasons and the coming years of the park development. Designed buildings with large, partly covered terraces, fit the warm climate, stimulate people to sit outside during sunny days, but also provide shelter from cold or rain. The covers allow restaurateurs to extend their amount of covered (heated) seats seasonally. Also, the terraces can grow and be extended towards the grand lawn.

The buildings in the park have a coherence. They are a family - with one style but with visible individuality - a slightly different appearance as the look belongs to the function and desired atmosphere.To create a family sphere we created a material pallet of wood, polycarbonate, black steel.

Educational centre & playgrounds

'homo ludens' for 1 to 100 years

This zone offers a variety of activities and places to be for children, their parents and grandparents as well as youngsters. You can find here the educational centre, a ring of playgrounds for children of all ages, and orchard where children can learn and experience where food comes from. This educational centres purpose is to attract readers, stimulate educational gatherings, connect the university studies to the park visitors. This park element is aimed to add on the cultural and educational facilities of the area. The building serves as a traditional and a multimedia library for children, students and adults, it has the reading halls, children play areas (mostly outdoor), spaces for the lectures and various presentations. Mediatheque is also a venue for conferences, concerts and exhibitions.

Educational centre & playgrounds

'homo ludens' for 1 to 100 years

This zone offers a variety of activities and places to be for children, their parents and grandparents as well as youngsters. You can find here the educational centre, a ring of playgrounds for children of all ages, and orchard where children can learn and experience where food comes from. This educational centres purpose is to attract readers, stimulate educational gatherings, connect the university studies to the park visitors. This park element is aimed to add on the cultural and educational facilities of the area. The building serves as a traditional and a multimedia library for children, students and adults, it has the reading halls, children play areas (mostly outdoor), spaces for the lectures and various presentations. Mediatheque is also a venue for conferences, concerts and exhibitions.

Panorama bridge

The current ring road makes it hard to enter the park. With the means of making a small passerelle over the road, we create easy access and panoramic overview. Therefore, The Panorama Bridge marks the main entrance to the park from the city centre side. Designed to accommodate everyone’s needs, the bridge is essentially a steel frame truss spanning across the Kakutsa Cholokashvili highway. The deck of the bridge is linked with the ground with two large ramps and two flights of stairs. To provides easy access for everyone, especially for disabled people, elderly and parents with baby strollers. On the park side, the bridge ends with a cantilever structure hanging above the main park path, overlooking the fountain area. The panorama point creates an iconic photo moment, a picture that will be taken many times and shared across social media platforms promoting the park and the city.The park is comfortably accessible by car from the highway as well as from the city centre; there are two entrances - from the north end west side with around 500 parking places for visitors.

Planning

The construction works has started with the earth and ground works in October 2020. During the winter of 2020 - 2021 the first planting period will be done for the border forest and ecological hill. Beginning 2021 the foundations will be made of main buildings and special elements like ponds. The second round of planting is during winter of 2022, then the more special plants and gardens will be constructed. In the summer time of 2022 the park will be opened for visitors.

Construction started! We can not wait for the finalization.