ARCHITECTURAL SUMMARY OF 2023_part 1

The architects of the leading bureaus of Armenia summarize the architectural results of the year.

1_What was 2023 for your bureau?

Currently, there is a construction boom in Armenia, and the bulk of our orders are related to housing projects. We wanted investors not to be limited to residential construction, but also to actively develop the associated infrastructure and provide architects with the opportunity to create unique and interesting solutions. We also take part in the development of educational and cultural projects. We are confident that such projects have greater potential to change public thinking. Although we recognize that innovations in housing can also affect people's perceptions, the effect of educational and cultural initiatives seems to us to be more significant and important. In these projects, we see more freedom for creativity and the opportunity to express our ideas and beliefs. 

In our work, we encounter certain difficulties in interacting with the city mayor’s office and the urban planning committee. We would like to see more efficient, transparent and predictable processes in their work in order to better coordinate and implement our projects. At the same time, due to the significant volume of ongoing projects, we feel an urgent need for highly qualified specialists. This problem is typical for various sectors in Armenia, where the high demand for experienced professionals creates difficulties in finding the necessary personnel. Globally, this year turned out to be fruitful for our bureau. We undoubtedly consider the main achievement to be the completion of the construction of Gogol apartments, a residential building whose main challenge is to rethink city life. In addition, our project for Najarian Center for Social Entrepreneurship was finished this year, which also deserves special attention.

2_What was 2023 for Armenian architecture in general?

It is quite difficult to identify specific changes, but the impact of current events in the country on the architectural sphere leads to some transformations. Despite this, we believe that the processes could develop more dynamically and, in a certain sense, more vigorously. Unfortunately, it is impossible to single out any "aggressive" architectural breakthrough in 2023. Based on the experience of our bureau during this year, it can be noted that we receive a significant number of orders. At the same time, approximately 10% of the projects make significant changes to our practice.

3_The main things in Armenian architecture in 2023?

The opening of the Library for Architecture (LFA) was also an interesting and important discovery for us. I would also like to highlight successful events such as NPATAK and ArchWeek. I would like to note the FA Convention conference organized by the Futuris bureau. Overall, many interactions between colleagues that took place through these events was main positive thing about this year. It is desirable that such architectural conferences, exhibitions, and forums be held more often, because communication and exchange of experience play an important role in the development of our professional sphere. Our studio also contributed to the architectural community by hosting an event called “Women Speak,” featuring lectures from talented female architects. In addition, we organized a workshop for AYB school students as part of professional self-determination initiatives, which was an unusual experience for our office. The main losses of this year for our bureau are, of course, projects in Artsakh, both completed and those that remained unrealized. If we talk about the context of Armenian architecture, we express concern about the fate of some important public buildings that could not be reconstructed and are now subject to demolition, like cinema in Etchmiadzin. We consider this as a general loss for Armenian architectural culture.

4_What do you expect from the next year?

As an architecture firm, we expect 2024 to see greater innovation in our designs, stronger collaboration with clients and city planners, and a greater emphasis on sustainability and environmental aspects in our designs. We also expect participation in organizing events and initiatives aimed at exchanging experiences and developing the architectural community.

1_What was 2023 for your bureau?

The main achievement, or, it would be more correct to say, event, for us was moving to a new studio. The new space unexpectedly opened up new horizons, although we loved the old studio very much. That's where it all began. There were many disappointments: unapproved projects, delays, bureaucracy, and much more. Overall, the year turned out to be quite difficult, but it certainly couldn’t be called unsuccessful. We really love unusual, somewhat experimental projects. One of these was the design project for the International Print Biennale Yerevan. This is far from the largest project of the year, but one of the most important for us in 2023.

2_What was 2023 for Armenian architecture in general?

The main achievement, or step forward, for Armenian architecture was that we, architects, began to talk, discuss, and argue more. The problems and challenges are still the same as a year or two ago...

3_The main things in Armenian architecture in 2023?

We consider the opening of the Library for Architecture (LFA) to be the main thing in 2023. This is a wonderful platform that was sorely lacking in Armenia. A very important and memorable event of this year was the NPATAK architectural festival. These events will definitely influence the development of Armenian architecture in the long term, and we are very glad that we were at the epicenter of these events. We will keep it up!

4_What do you expect from the next year?

The end of 2023 turned out to be very promising, and we are already confident that 2024 will be very interesting for our studio. We are really looking forward for implementation of several projects started in 2023, and immediately after a well-deserved rest we will begin work on new interesting projects. In addition to projects, we have other plans for the next year, which you will hear about soon. In general, next year promises to be interesting.

1_What was 2023 for your bureau?

We managed to finish housing project for Artsakhtsi's in Nerkin Khndzoresk village, which is for me the main result of the year. In general as a small office we had more or less the same amount of projects, with their own peculiarities and difficulties.

2_What was 2023 for Armenian architecture in general?

It was negative as it was during last 30 years, although the year was quite full of events that could enrich the professional discourse.

3_The main things in Armenian architecture in 2023?

The positive think was NPATAK Festival, Archi Week. My talk at LFA "The Death and Life of Social Factors of the Great Armenian Architecture" was an important milestone for me and our team.

4_What do you expect from the next year?

Next year we'll finish two major projects and will kick-off three landscaping projects, which hopefully will be fun.

1_What was 2023 for your bureau?

In 2023, our studio focused on managing ongoing projects and initiated the construction of our most extensive complex to date - housing project in Tsaghkadzor. We dedicated efforts to optimize internal organization, assigning specific responsibilities to each team member and fostering collaborative work on multiple projects. Notable endeavors included the office building near Komitas Park and an apart-hotel in Dilijan, hopefully with the start of the construction next year. Despite the inherent gradual pace of architecture, we successfully completed our first private house in Vahagni district after three years of dedicated work and supervision. The year presented challenges like strict deadlines and architectural complexities, but overall, it proved to be a successful period filled with rewarding moments and emotions.

2_What was 2023 for Armenian architecture in general?

A notable transformation we've witnessed involves the energized landscape of architectural events and discussions. We find joy in the diverse architectural events hosted by other studios and alliances. The ongoing construction boom, despite its drawbacks in altering Yerevan and other Armenian cities without stringent urban design or regulations, contributes positively by nurturing emerging talents and fostering healthy competition among studios. This competition ultimately enhances the overall quality of the work produced in the field.

3_The main things in Armenian architecture in 2023?

As co-founders of the NPATAK foundation, dedicated to advancing architectural education in Armenia, we consider the organization of the International Architectural Festival a pivotal achievement. This event featured distinguished architects from renowned firms like SO-IL, BUREAU, KOSMOS, and others, with insightful lectures and discussions. Another impactful initiative is the Library for architecture (LFA), curating a range of lectures, movies, and discussions that delve into contemporary architectural trends in Armenia and beyond.

4_What do you expect from the next year?

In 2024, our aspirations include bringing four ongoing projects to fruition and embarking on exciting new ventures. We aim for an increased influx of commissions, seeking both architectural challenges and financial stability. Our vision is to maintain a compact studio, ensuring full and equal integration for every project, regardless of size or significance. On a broader scale, we hope for a positive shift in Armenian architecture, with a focus on securing more social and public projects and commissions.

1_What was 2023 for your bureau?

The most important achievement is the opening of the third phase of the COAF Center, The Concept Hotel and Conference Center in Lori. We have been working on the project for a very long time in difficult times; we started before the pandemic and the war. I don’t know if this can be called a success, but in the process of work there were discoveries that pleased us, sometimes very small, sometimes quite interesting. As usual, there are more unrealized projects for a number of reasons. The biggest disappointment comes not from failures, but from indifference: there are projects that we did not even show to customers, because it turned out that they were not needed - people lack the basic politeness to say so correctly and in a timely manner.

2_What was 2023 for Armenian architecture in general?

Everyone is talking about a construction boom; unfortunately, quantity and quality are not proportional. I don’t think that 2023 has become special for the architecture of Armenia, but there are very weak signs of the possibility of something new emerging, which I associate with the saturation of the real estate market, due to which sooner or later it will be necessary to build buildings that are more competitive even from an architectural point of view. But it is too early to talk about a qualitative change. Another hope is that there are many strong non-profit foundations (like COAF, TUMO, etc.) for which the quality of architecture is important in terms of reputation. I look forward for a new exciting projects from them in the near future.

3_The main things in Armenian architecture in 2023?

My answer will not be objective due to my involvement in the activities of LFA), of course, I consider everything that happened with us (which included lectures, workshops, interviews, film screenings and a light-alcoholic meetings of colleagues) to be important and necessary. I would especially like to note the qualitatively new level of the third season of the NPATAK summer school and its festival with excellent participants. Among the buildings, unfortunately, I have not yet seen everything in person that I have heard about or seen in the press, but I will mention ArchCOOP`s house in Garni, Electric Architect`s farm, Storaket`s Najarian center and Bernard Khuri`s TUMO in Kohb. In fact, there is more interesting stuff, you just need to look at everything; by the way, we can come up with a format for visiting and presenting objects on the LFA platform.

4_What do you expect from the next year?

It is customary to make wishes on New Year's Day, so I would like to be able to work on projects slowly and thoughtfully. The number of projects is not so important, after all, even a couple of really successful buildings over the entire career of an architect is already an achievement. Although if you look from the point of view of the bureau, it would be very cool if it became a brand in a good sense, regardless of personalities. Understandable from an economic point of view, the eternal rush inevitably leads to the loss of something important, completeness, and, consequently, the meaning of our work. If at the same time we manage to earn enough so that we don’t have to think about office maintenance every day, it will be an incredible gift.

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part 2