Changing with Climate

A historic insight into energy efficiency traditions in Georgian architecture

June 7, 2018

Photo: Robert Watkins/UNDP

What Georgian homes and cities looked like centuries ago? Did our ancestors consider any energy efficiency measures as they designed their homes? Did climate change have any effect on traditional Georgian architecture?

The new documentary series by a renown Georgian documentarist, Toma Chagelishvili, provides a historic view of Georgia’s energy and architectural transformation over the centuries aiming to promote the principles of energy efficiency, draw public attention to climate change challenges, and increase environmental awareness and responsibility.

Four films of the series focus on Tbilisi and the regions of Meskheti-Javakheti, Svaneti and Khevsureti, and include historical facts about the changes Georgia experienced because of climate, and energy efficiency measures that used to be applied in the traditional Georgian homes.

The documentary series was produced by TV Film Studio with the assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), broadcasting company Rutsavi-2 and National Geographic – Georgia magazine.

The first film of the series “Energy Efficiency in Old Tbilisi Architecture” was presented to the public on 7 June 2018, in Tbilisi’s only remaining residential house of the 17th century –Porakishvilis’ Chamber.

The event brought together representatives of the Georgian government and parliament, Tbilisi City Hall and municipality, civil society and business.

Toma Chagelishvili, film director; Munkhtuya Altangerel, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Georgia, and Nino Tkhilava, Head of Environmental Policy and International Relations Department of the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, addressed the guests with welcome remarks. This was followed by a film show and discussion on climate change and urban development.

The next three films of the series “Energy Efficiency in Georgian Architecture” will be released in summer 2018.

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