Teimuraz Gabunia; Veriko Shengelia; Dea Khizanishvili;

Two of us, Teimuraz and Dea met while studying architecture at the Georgian Technical University. Shared sensitivity to spatial and social justice led us to ongoing collaboration. Over the years, we’ve had parallel paths in critical and also informal architectural education and practice. Both of us have participated in Les Ateliers international workshops (in different years) and both have experience with EASA - Dea during the COVID period (Georgian edition) and Tio in this year’s EASA Rhizome.

Even though we have had similar interests for years, the most significant joint initiative began in early 2025 (alongside other Georgian colleagues), when we co-founded the Professional Union of Georgian Architects and Urbanists (PUGAU). The union was established during a period of high political tension in Georgia. PUGAU was a reaction to the problems of the Georgian working class: lack of legal protections, exploitative conditions, minimal recognition of labor rights.

At the moment we, along with other colleagues, are trying to build a safe space for solidarity and advocacy for all professionals working in the fields of architecture and urban planning. Our work is grounded on the belief that the right to an adequate standard of living should apply not only to those who inhabit exceptional works of architecture, but also to those who labor to produce them.

The third member of the team , Veriko holds a Master’s degree in Economics with a focus on inclusive growth. She has experience in economic analysis, particularly in examining inequality, labor markets, and broader structural dynamics. She is interested in exploring how economic injustice takes shape in urban environments and in contributing insights that connect economic and spatial perspectives

This approach formed the research direction. The project is an exploration of how economic injustice expresses itself in spatial form.