The Eliava Bazaar Competition challenged designers to develop innovative solutions for the future of one of Tbilisi's most dynamic marketplaces. With recent discussions about relocating the market, concerns have arisen among vendors and locals about preserving its historical and cultural significance.

TerraViva challenged participants to preserve Eliava's cultural essence while reimagining its layout, improving traffic flow, and creating flexible spaces. The competition's primary goal was to enhance infrastructure and incorporate sustainable design strategies while balancing modern urban needs with Eliava's spirit, ensuring that its historical significance and social role within the city remain intact.

The proposals demonstrated an ability to balance functionality with cultural and environmental sensitivity. The winning projects successfully showed a deep understanding of Eliava's role as a commercial, social, and cultural hub, offering solutions that respect its legacy while ensuring long-term resilience.

Toffu congratulates all participants for their outstanding designs! ✨🥇

Check out here for more information!

1st Prize

Eliava’s Eco-Hub

João Paulo Souto, Lucas Gabriel

Jury Comment

The project stands out for its comprehensive and well-articulated architectural approach, developed with attention to every scale, from macro to micro. The proposal is well-organized and structured, naturally combining social, ecological, and economic aspects. The solutions designed to improve accessibility, sustainability, and inclusion contribute to creating a strong connection between the community and urban space, while the modular design allows the project to adapt to diverse needs. The integration of different functions comes together in a vibrant and interconnected urban ecosystem.

2nd Prize

Invisible Wheels Of The Artefacts Of Need

Elena Cercel, Ana Mirela Ilie, Iulia Maria Coman

Jury Comment

The project enhances the market through the introduction of multifunctional modules, a ventilated parking lot, and the integration of green spaces, creating a balance between functionality and sustainability. The idea of the “cabinet of wonders” enriches the dynamic character of the market, offering a lively space where the areas transform and adapt to the needs of the moment.

3rd Prize

In Bloom

Jingzi Cui, Yue Pan, Yizhou Zhao

Jury Comment

Exemplary urban design strategy and graphics, which holistically integrates transportation, sustainability, community engagement, economic viability, cultural heritage, and tourism. By introducing a new pedestrian bridge, the project strengthens connectivity across the river, transforming the market into a vital link within the broader urban fabric. The reconfiguration of circulation through a layered system – including a tunneled roadway, pedestrian corridors, and a greenway park – demonstrates a sophisticated approach to spatial organization, ensuring both efficiency and a high-quality public realm. Additionally, the proposal successfully enhances the market’s adaptability through modular structures, flexible public spaces, and ecological interventions that mitigate environmental challenges while reinforcing the bazaar’s identity. This visionary framework not only elevates the market’s functionality but also revitalizes the entire riverfront, positioning Eliava Bazaar as a resilient and vibrant urban destination.

Golden Mention

Eliava FORUM

Barto Irina, Verevkin Alexey, Mashketova Veronica, Hast Vasilisa

Jury Comment

The Eliava Forum project provides a general order to all market modules by creating three maxi-courtyards around which the bazaar shops, conceived as micro-units, are clustered. This system brings order and designs a new piece of the city, creating a new façade along the river.

Golden Mention

Eliava Reimagined

Gocha Arjevanidze

Jury Comment

Creative layout and representation of the concept, good organisation of space and functions, thoughtful pedestrian concept with green spaces and functional car access, creative idea of the upper walkway that is added as an additional layer.

Golden Mention

Tangled Up In Blue

Brando Rueda, Oriol Aparicio

Jury Comment

“Tangled Up in Blue” balances renewal and identity with fluid organic forms, creating dynamic spaces while integrating with the landscape. It preserves the labyrinthine experience yet enhances structure with direct pathways, improving functionality and accessibility.

Golden Mention

RE-FABRICATED Eliava: A Sustainable Reuse and Upcycling Hub

Adam Stalica, Aleksandra Magiera, Magdalena Majsak

Jury Comment

The project offers a very pragmatic yet distinctive design with excellent connectedness and integration into the city’s texture. Interconnected green spaces are well designed and disposed of in relation to the existing residential and proposed district functions.

Golden Mention

Undulating Roof: Creating an Organic Market

Hayoung Jung, Minhan Kim

Jury Comment

This project thoughtfully considers the logistics and daily operations of Eliava while enhancing living quality. It integrates multi-scalar open spaces with a modular system and creatively resolves parking and logistics. The undulating cluster roofs form a unifying canopy over the market, reinforcing its cohesive identity.

Golden Mention

Chessboard of Commerce and Culture

Andrada-Nicola Motataianu, Andra-Nicole Tudor, Maria Simon, Maria-Teodora Chesu

Jury Comment

Creative integration of cultural heritage with modern urban design, using the chessboard layout as both a functional and symbolic gesture. The well-structured modular system enhances wayfinding and market organization while maintaining the lively, dynamic character of Eliava Market. This thoughtful approach not only strengthens the market’s identity but also ensures a balance between flexibility, density, and spatial variety, making it a compelling and culturally resonant proposal.

Golden Mention

Bazquare

Şeymanur Işler

Jury Comment

Two grids: one for commercial spaces and one for public areas along the river. Taller buildings are positioned inland, while lower ones face the river, with the main road diverted to create a riverside.

Golden Mention

Revitalized Eliava Market : Inclusive Communities Through A Sustainable Loop

Chaemi Bang, Jungyeol Bae

Jury Comment

Creative and thoughtful approach to revitalizing Eliava Market while preserving its historical significance. The design skillfully enhances both functionality and social interaction, transforming the market into a vibrant urban hub that balances commerce with community life. Its sensitivity to the surrounding context is evident in the clear separation of pedestrian and vehicle zones, the introduction of green corridors, and the strategic organization of circulation paths. Additionally, the concept is exceptionally well-structured and legible – not only for designers and policymakers but also for visitors and vendors – supported by outstanding graphics and illustrations.

Golden Mention

The Mosaic Tales of Eliava

Harsha Verma, Yavanikaa Sindhu, Rashi Karkoon, Sanya Malhotra, Atharva Gadmade

Jury Comment

It transforms the market into a vibrant cultural hub while preserving its maze-like character. Layered PTFE-sheet roofs bring order, enhance spatial hierarchy, and improve natural light.

Golden Mention

Spine

Ruhin Alibayli

Jury Comment

This framework weaves and extends the adjacent grid into the market superblock integrating also a central axis spine that connects the park and anchors to the bazaar and waterfront.