ARCHITECTURAL SUMMARY OF 2024_part 2

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Lusine has nearly 15 years of professional experience. She holds a master’s degree from the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia and a second degree in Architectural Restoration from Politecnico di Milano. Lusine is particularly proud of her restoration projects, especially in Gyumri, where she has spent many years working on preservation guidelines and the city’s development. Her dedication to heritage conservation has significantly contributed to the cultural and architectural preservation of Gyumri. Our team consists of seven highly skilled professionals, each excelling in their respective fields. Together, we have successfully completed numerous projects in architecture, interior design, and urban development, showcasing our dedication to excellence and innovation.

1_What was 2024 for your bureau?

In 2024, our bureau relocated to a new, more spacious office, allowing us to expand our team and enhance our capabilities. While 2022 was a particularly successful year for us, 2024 marked a significant step forward in terms of the quality of our projects and the broader perspectives we’ve embraced for future growth. While we have faced our share of challenges and disappointments, our passion for what we do has been our driving force, enabling us to overcome obstacles and continue moving forward with dedication and purpose.

2_What was 2024 for Armenian architecture in general?

To be honest, the challenges in Armenian architecture are not solely architectural in nature; they stem largely from urban planning and political factors. Additionally, many clients do not fully appreciate the importance of architectural style, cohesive urban planning, and the long-term visual future of our cities. We require a thorough analysis of our challenges and a comprehensive long-term development strategy to ensure that we preserve what remains and prevent further loss.

3_The main things in Armenian architecture in 2024?

At the moment, nothing specific comes to mind that I would highlight.

4_What do you expect from the next year?

This year, we have set a goal to expand the scale of our projects and direct our efforts where they are most needed. We think big and are determined to channel our ideas toward Armenia’s development. The quantity of projects is less important to us than their quality and impact. We strongly hope to see a more forward-thinking, compassionate, and professional approach from the authorities responsible for shaping the environment we see today.

The title CDXIX contains the idea behind dozens of our projects. CDXIX is the number 419, which corresponds to the tuning fork frequency. Imagine a space where architectural intervention tunes it in the same way that a tuning fork tunes musical instruments in an orchestra. For my partner Artsvik Matevosyan and me, the key responsibility and idea is to try to "tune" the environment, buildings, nature and people to the best with each project.

Both realized and unrealized projects are important to us. It is very difficult to measure their importance, because each new project sets a goal to be more thoughtful and, at least, valuable to ourselves. Often, projects became significant and beloved in unexpected ways. Each of them is valuable in different ways: for harmonious intervention in the environment, functionality, interesting solutions, selected details, or, perhaps, for the success of our customers' business.

1_What was 2024 for your bureau?

The year was full of new projects. We have implemented much more than we planned, and more than in 2023. As before, we lovingly designed residential buildings and interiors. The year 2024 is notable for the fact that we have completed a number of public projects, construction work on which will begin in 2025, and we will be happy to share their process. For our studio 2024 was a year of challenges, achievements and growth. We currently have 10 architects and designers in our team. We have attracted more than 20 new customers and implemented more than 30 projects. A chain of disappointments during the implementation of some projects became the basis for the creation of the SHINEL construction company.

2_What was 2024 for Armenian architecture in general?

In my opinion, 2024 was a year of missed opportunities for Armenian architecture. Of course, there are successful examples of high-quality architecture, and there are more of them every year. However, unfortunately, their total number remains very low. No matter how pessimistic it may sound, I believe that there is little objectively positive to highlight:

• low public demand for high-quality architecture,

• Destruction of buildings and districts,

• The work of government agencies in this area,

• Yerevan's new master plan,

• inaction of the Architectural Chamber,

• Poor quality of education and more.

I think that in 2025, architects will face the challenge of identifying these problems at the institutional level and developing consolidated solutions.

3_The main things in Armenian architecture in 2024?

As solutions to the above problems or their alternatives, it is worth noting the activities of LFA and NPATAK. These are the two best things that have happened to Armenian architecture in the last 30 years. As for the projects of our colleagues, I would like to single out Garegin Egoyan's Woods Center (ARCHcoop), although his work is always one of the best for me. I would also like to mention the project of the Liberty multifunctional complex from Storaket.

4_What do you expect from the next year?

The year 2024 is coming to a dynamic and promising end. Before that, we have more than 10 completed projects, but we expect 12 projects to be completed by 2025 alone. We are really looking forward to the implementation of the C F PLAZA business center in BUSINESS PARK and several private houses. We hope that this year we will already receive a permit for the construction of an entertainment complex in the city of Tsakhkadzor. We are confident that 2025 will be an interesting and eventful year for our workshop. We look forward to fruitful cooperation with our customers and the city authorities, which will allow us to use our full potential, as well as design and build a lot.

Prior to founding the Araspel bureau, architect Artur Avakian worked for Garegin Egoyan for 1 year in the ARCHcoop bureau and for 2 years in the Nefa Architects bureau in Moscow.

1_What was 2024 for your bureau?

For us 2024 was a positive year. We managed to deepen our focus in the small niche we occupy – the niche of "peculiar " architecture. Additionally, after a long pause, we returned to the Russian market and completed several projects. Although not all of them will be realized, we appreciate the opportunity to work on interesting projects.

2_What was 2024 for Armenian architecture in general?

Honestly, in 2024, I didn't notice any significant changes in Armenian architecture — neither in terms of improvements nor negative trends. This raises some concerns, as the lack of dynamics may indicate stagnation, which is not a positive sign for our niche.

3_The main things in Armenian architecture in 2024?

For architectural events, I would highlight Total Drama Fest. As for buildings, I would mention OpenHaus (Think bureau).

4_What do you expect from the next year?

From the plans for the year: no significant changes are expected. We position ourselves as an intimate studio, preferring small projects to be able to savor the process without rushing. As for wishes: I would like to see the niche of clients grow—those who appreciate architecture for its own sake, not to impress others, and who understand the role of the architect.

My name is Tatevik Gulkhasyan, I am an architect and designer with 15 years of experience, the founder of the THINK bureau. For the most part, we prefer projects in the HoReCa (hospitality) segment. Until 2018, I worked alone, but the increase in the number and scale of projects led to the creation of a team. The impetus for this was the Museum_glass design mirror and decor store opened with my husband, where our first small office started working. Over the years, more than 45 projects have been implemented, including reconstructions of old buildings, residential projects, eco-projects for agro-tourism, interiors and small architectural forms. Over the past six years, the studio has been actively developing, projects have become more ambitious, and the team has been carefully formed and trained. Today we have a team of 9 people, we don't really want to expand, because we adhere to an individual approach to each project, and we don't strive to turn the creative process into a streaming business.

I consider the reconstruction of the old building in the park at 9 Isaakyan Street, which was transformed into the AI9 community hub, to be our key completed project today. Since the project was created for an IT cluster, our goal was to make the building unique, eye-catching, contrasting with the urban environment, but at the same time harmoniously fitting into it. The bright colors and rounded shapes were chosen to emphasize the connection with nature and create the feeling of a “living organism" — as if the building had been generated by artificial intelligence. This approach allowed us to establish a balance between form and function, creating a space that is not only visually impressive, but also fully meets its purpose.

1_What was 2024 for your bureau?

This year has become significant due to the completion of several key projects and the start of several unique ones. One of the main achievements of this year was the acquisition of our own space, which my team and I turned into a dream office: we invested efforts in its creation, now the space gives us inspiration in the design process. In addition, we have expanded our team and adjusted internal processes, which has improved the quality of work.

There were losses this year. Unfortunately, one of the interesting projects in which we invested a lot of diligence was canceled, which was a bit of a disappointment, but we see this as an opportunity to review approaches and improve proposals for future projects. This year turned out to be more eventful than we expected. Compared to last year, the volume of work has increased, which is encouraging, but also makes you think about the proper organization of resources. One of the main challenges was time management — several projects were running in parallel, and it was important to maintain a balance between quality and timing. Another difficulty is the interaction with the city authorities when approving projects. But such challenges, though difficult, make us stronger and more professional.

Our relationships with our partners have become stronger as we better understand who shares our values and approach to work. The main thing that can slow down progress is bureaucracy and restrictions in building regulations. Also, sometimes there is not enough time to work on conceptual projects, as current tasks have to be solved. What helps is the support of the team, openness to new technologies and inspiration from projects that become reality. The main thing is to keep the focus on why we do architecture: to create spaces that change people's lives.

2_What was 2024 for Armenian architecture in general?

Problems

From the point of view of urban planning, the situation remains difficult. A large number of construction works are underway in the capital, but their spontaneous nature has a catastrophic effect on the development of the urban environment. There is no territorial planning at all, which allows developers to implement projects without taking into account the citywide concept and harmony. This chaotic approach greatly threatens the architectural heritage.

Positive changes

Against the background of these challenges, several positive trends can be noted. Healthy competition is gradually forming among developers, which encourages them to attract more creative and professional architectural studios. This provides an opportunity for talented architects to prove themselves and implement interesting projects. It is also worth noting the development of eco-tourism in the regions of Armenia. This trend not only promotes economic decentralized growth, but also opens up new opportunities for architects, allowing them to create projects that combine modern approaches with respect for the natural and cultural features of our landscape.

In general, 2024 can be called a year of challenges for Armenian architecture, but also a year of opening opportunities. However, further progress is impossible without strategic planning and stricter control over construction activities.

3_The main things in Armenian architecture in 2024?

We have noticed a trend in the development of educational programs, which began with the NPATAK initiative, and now it seems that it has begun to expand and cover a larger number of architectural offices. LFA plays an important role here. For example, the lecture they organized with the participation of Cino Zucchi Architetti was, in my opinion, the most interesting — their approach based on the search for new spatial solutions in a complex and multi-layered urban environment is a valuable example for Armenia. One of the buildings of our colleagues that inspired us last year is the Кооr winery located in Agavnadzor by Electric Architects. Of the losses, I would probably note the closure of The Office event space on Teryan street in the old building of the publishing house.

4_What do you expect from the next year?

In terms of interiors, we are currently working in parallel on 8 different and very interesting projects, the names of which I will not disclose yet)), located in different parts of our capital, as well as in the cities of Vanadzor and Dilijan, which will gradually open during this year. One of the unique projects that we started working on in 2024 was a spa hotel on the shores of Lake Sevan. The concept of this project is to create a sculptural art structure inspired by the image of lighthouse towers. We are also continuing to work on a large-scale project of the Tesaran Residence residential complex in Kanaker-Avan district. Most of the house frames have already been installed, cladding work will begin this year, and the houses will be put into operation. I would also like to inform you that AI9 will soon open the 3rd and basement floors for various events. In 2025, I want to see more attention to sustainable architecture and urban planning. I would like to see more initiatives in Armenia aimed at preserving cultural heritage and developing public spaces.