Location: სოხუმი , საქართველო
Sukhumi International Airport was built in the 1960s. Before the conflict in Abkhazia, the airport was an important transport hub and played a major role in the transport network of the region. In 1993, after the conflict, the airport was closed, its infrastructure was damaged, and the area was full of mines. There were two terminals on the territory of the airport. The first terminal, built in the middle of the 20th century, is part of the neoclassical architectural style, which is distinguished by symmetrical forms, large arches and clear decorative elements. It is part of the historical appearance of Sukhumi and remains one of the central elements of the project. The architecture of the second terminal combines the styles of Soviet modernism and functionalism. With the basic building material, heavy, massive forms were created. A distinctive detail is the rhombic roofs that intensify the building's dynamism and give it an unusual, avant-garde look. The main idea of the project was to preserve two old terminals and give them a new life. The model envisages bringing the terminals under a unified architecture, which includes the preservation of historical and visual characteristics. It was intended to use the neoclassical terminal as the landing area, and the brutalist style terminal was converted into the departure area. Both buildings are connected by a transit bridge that functionally unites two different structures. To the two different styles, a third style is added, which emphasizes the new stage of Sukhumi Airport and its fusion with modern architectural trends. New architectural elements include large glass panels and light, transparent structures that allow parts of the building to To harmoniously flow into each other, the exterior of the terminals become part of the interior. A new transit bridge connects the two buildings and creates visual and functional connections. In addition, the project envisages an open garden, an underground parking lot and an observation tower, which will add to the airport It adds functionality and aesthetic value. Unfortunately, the Sukhumi terminal has already been demolished. However, they could be preserved both structurally and visually. Buildings were part of Sokhumi not only architecturally, but also culturally.
