The FINANCIAL — “The latest worldwide trend in the construction sector is green development. The majority of developers and architects in developed countries prefer new materials, which are ecologically clean. In the 21st century people in general pay much attention to environment protection,” Levan Gvaramadze, Director of Dexus Development, Tbilisi based company, told The FINANCIAL.
The use of ecologically clean and natural materials is the latest trend not only in construction and architecture, but in design as well.
“Georgian customers are already following this latest trend,” said Maia Kejerashvili, Founder and Director of Style House. “Being ecological is our main priority. We try to attract parents’ attention to the ecological cleanliness of their children’s rooms.”
“Ecological materials including wood, stone, flowers and plants are often used in interiors. Huge black and white or colourful prints with pictures of nature are very modern. Such pictures can be used not only on walls, but on the floor, furniture and textiles as well,” Kejerashvili explained.
Several years ago in Georgia the majority of developers and architects didn’t invest a lot in the architecture itself. They paid little attention to the architectural value of projects. This resulted in the many ugly buildings that we have in Tbilisi now, which are devoid of any interesting concept.
“Investors or developers tried to save money in the quality of materials and construction. This tradition is slowly changing for the better. Customers have started to demand well-projected buildings with interesting concepts,” Gvaramadze said.
“We can’t skimp on our architectural budgets as buildings are built to last. Developers have already realized this and buyers are ready to pay more for something new, which will stand out from other buildings. It was a trend for a long time that location alone determined the quality and price of a building. Now that is changing as well. So architects and developers need more and harder trials to offer adequate projects to suit the market’s demand,” he stated.
According to developers, design has become a very important part of projects. Design creates the premium in the project. Developers and constructors have two strategies: price strategy and premium strategy. Premium is in the architecture and in the concept as well. In the case of premium strategy clients pay more for a different project. If developers offer totally different concepts for example a new lifestyle, clients will pay that much more for it.
Both modern and classic styles are in demand according to developers and designers. Demand for creating design has already increased.
“Modern styles are more in demand at our company, but classic styles are also quite popular. Georgians have quite good taste in terms of design, but if they understand that they can’t create adequate modern design themselves, then they ask for the help of designers,” said Khatuna Mikaberidze, designer of Artx.
Designers agree that the 21st century is a period of eclecticism. Mixing different styles in one room is the latest trend according to them.
“Mixing incompatible items or style is the newest trend,” Kejerashvili said. “For example, wood in the bathroom, ceramic tiles in the sitting room, metal engraved furniture in the children’s room. Mirrors are necessary. The smaller the room is, the bigger the mirrors should be. Paintings are very stylish as well. I advise everyone to use flowers and house plants regardless of style.”
The price of creating design is 70 GEL (45 USD) per square meter at Artx, while the lowest price margin is 20 USD (35 GEL) at Style House.
“The prices of creating design depend on several factors including the complexity of the design, if the customer wants us to control the renovations entirely or not, choose the decor or not, etc,” Kejerashvili said.
“The price of renovations starts from 450 GEL including the materials and human resources,” said Marika Imerlishvili, Manager of Artx.
The price of developing and building has, however, remained stable during recent times.
“I think that the prices have reached their lowest margin. An increase of prices is expected in the near future. In my opinion, customers are ready to pay more for special premiums in their apartments,” Gvaramadze said.
A new trend is being seen in determining the prestige of districts. Vake is still considered very prestigious but new districts are becoming popular as well.
“There is a new criteria for determining the prestige of an area,” Gvaramadze said. “Marjanishvili is becoming very popular as well. Currently Mtatsminda is very prestigious. Places which have good views over the city are very appreciated nowadays.”
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