Tbilisi, Georgia

Total built area: 736.0 sq m

Site Area: 669.0 sq m

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Architectural Concept: Cosmological Tectonics

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The project transcends the boundaries of a mere architectural object, emerging instead as an aesthetic manifestation of space and matter within the urban fabric of Tbilisi. The nomenclature ‘Casa Asteria’—etymologically rooted in the ‘stellar’—is not merely a poetic metaphor alluding to the structure’s luminous, ethereal geometry or its nocturnal exterior aesthetic. Rather, it stands as a literal declaration of the building's material provenance and tectonic essence. Here, architecture is conceived as the organised, rational reorganisation of stardust; every physical component, whether structural framework or surface cladding, is a direct product of stellar nucleosynthesis.

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The exterior materiality surpasses the conventions of traditional architectural finishes, proposing a dialogue between terrestrial tectonics and cosmic alchemy. The visual and gravitational base—defined by a high-contrast synthesis of white and grey textured ceramic tiles alongside travertine panels—is fundamentally composed of calcium carbonate. In a cosmological context, the calcium and oxygen atoms inherent in this substance were forged within the thermonuclear furnaces of massive stars and disseminated across the universe following supernova explosions.

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The building’s diaphanous structural envelope, expressed through ultra-clear, slim-line panoramic glazing systems, endeavours to dissolve the spatial threshold between interior and exterior. The primary constituent of these expansive glazed planes—silicon dioxide—is a direct consequence of the late stages of stellar evolution, specifically the oxygen-burning processes within supergiant stars. In Casa Asteria, these cosmic elements are transmuted through human technology into pure architectural geometry, rendering the transparent boundaries a direct manifestation of stellar synthesis.

 

Spatial Configuration and Functional Ergonomics

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The spatial and programmatic structure of the residence is predicated upon the hierarchical distribution of three primary tectonic datums, each fulfilling a stringently defined ergonomic and functional role. The internal volumes are seamlessly interconnected via a fluid, continuous matrix of halls and corridors. The fulcrum of this compositional dynamic is the vertical communication node: the central stairwell.

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At datum ±0.00, which serves as the primary physical and social platform of the dwelling, the spatial narrative is dominated by the entrance hall. This space acts as the principal compositional core and the primary horizontal axis of communication, from which all subsequent transit flows diverge. This level orchestrates the coexistence of social, private, and utilitarian functions. Specifically, it integrates an isolated study, an expansive kitchen and dining zone, alongside a comprehensive sleeping block complete with a bespoke wardrobe and en-suite. The ground floor’s structural composition is further complemented by a transitional exterior veranda and a highly practical laundry room.

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Datum +3.40 is dedicated to a synthetic realm of private repose and supplementary socialisation. The upper volume accommodates three independent bedrooms, each equipped with en-suite bathrooms and wardrobes, thereby ensuring maximum personal autonomy. Alongside this nocturnal zone, the floor integrates an additional kitchen and dining area, a vast living room, and a panoramic balcony. These spaces coalesce into a unified architectural organism, bound together by the corridor and the central stairwell.

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The subterranean datum, at -2.80, is allocated for operational and recreational utility. On this fundamental level, where light and atmosphere assume a highly specific, insulated character, a wine cellar and auxiliary storage rooms are situated. These spaces connect logically and seamlessly to the building's overarching vertical communication axis.

 

Landscape Architecture and Exterior Illumination

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The modernist austerity of the architecture finds its logical continuation within the landscape design, establishing a compelling aesthetic dialogue between rigorous Cartesian geometry and the natural, sculptural environment. The courtyard's landscape design proposes a rhythmic composition, where swathes of lawn are interspersed with spherical topiary forms, evergreen boxwood shrubs, and sculptural trees meticulously pruned in the Japanese Niwaki tradition. These biomorphic plantings generate a deliberate, highly calibrated contrast with the building's orthogonal forms, providing a vital counterbalance to the geometric severity of the architecture.

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The physical and visual culmination of this synergy is realised through the exterior lighting design. Multi-component, microchip-integrated LED lighting systems entirely metamorphose the spatial perception of the object during the evening hours. Directional beams of light sharply accentuate the horizontal and vertical tectonic planes of the building whilst simultaneously sculpting the organic details of the landscape. This dramatic, dynamic interplay of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) not only amplifies the overarching visual potency of the residence but elevates it to a luminous, autonomous aesthetic dominant within the urban landscape.