Marco Brambila: “By preserving the old, we need to develop and create the new, without destroying anything”

Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with Marco Brambila, who was one of the participants of the 3rd Pan-Armenian Forum of Architects held in Yerevan from October 5 to 7.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Brambila, which country are you from?

Marco Brambila: I’m from the United States. I am half Italian, half Armenian. My father is Italian, and my mother is Armenian. My mother is from Saint Petersburg. She and my father met in Iran and got married there. I was born in Iran and lived there until I was 14. I was perhaps a little “troublemaker”, and when I was 14, my parents sent me to Europe to study. I have studied in Germany and Italy, specializing in the history of architecture and the protection of architecture and old buildings. Currently, I am based in Glendale, the so-called “city of Armenians”. We have had our branches in Armenia, Europe and various States of the United States of America for the past 20 years now, but alongside working at our institution, I also give lectures at different universities.

Hayern Aysor: During the forum, you delivered a very interesting speech on “The Homes of the Armenian Khojas of New Julfa” and showed scenes. The homes of the Armenian khojas were very unique architectural structures. Were Armenians the founders of that kind of architecture in New Julfa?

M. B.: We don’t know if they were the main founders. When the Armenians settled in New Julfa, they didn’t know anything about the land, the climate, construction materials, or the movement of winds, which is very important when building homes and choosing the right position. Construction of most of the homes was most likely ordered because buildings in style definitely present the “Safavid” architecture of the time.

Hayern Aysor: Marco, excuse me, but it seems to me that, in any case, Armenians were the source of that type of architecture…

M. B.: No, not a hundred percent..They were already building in the “safavid” style starting from the era of Shah Abas and were actively engaged. Of course, the Armenians played a major role in that sector. The khoja Armenians represented a major force among the royalty.

Hayern Aysor: You described the unique structure of the homes of Armenian khojas, with the selected position, floors for summer and winter, doorbells with separated knockers for men and women, the sound of which made it clear that the person was a man or woman. Are any of these details used in the architectural structures in other countries, say, in modern-day Iran?

M. B.: Yes, of course. First, I must say that the Iranian government has recorded hundreds of such Persian and Armenian homes in the list of historic monuments. As far as details are concerned, of course they are used. That is a tremendous wealth that includes not only architecture, but also national traditions.

Hayern Aysor: Where did Armenian khojas prefer to build their homes and what kind of construction material did they use?

M. B.: For instance, the territory in Isfahan is very flat, and many Armenians preferred to build their homes near the river in order to stay cool. The homes built near the river were actually more expensive. There were no stones. The homes of all khojas were built with bricks, and the homes of Armenian builders were made from mud.

Hayern Aysor: You have studied architecture in the country/museum, that is, Italy, a country of the Renaissance era that is known for brilliant artists and monuments…What similarities do you see between Italian and Armenian architecture?

M. B.: I don’t see any similarity in terms of style, but there was a time when both were very connected. After the Crusades, many Armenians settled in Italy. Starting from the 17th century, more than 50% of merchants in the Italian city of Chivorno were Armenians. It’s obvious that one can see the Armenian trace in everything. There are Armenian streets and churches across the country. Their style is more like the Italian style, but they were built by Armenians.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Brambila, you have obviously studied the architectures of various countries. Which one has interested you the most? Which can you learn from and use in modern-day architecture?

M. B.: One of my studies, in which I have specialized, is mainly the architecture of the Mongolian era. It includes many intricate structures. During the forum, I showed a picture of one of them, that is, the Sultan’s palace, the dome of which is over 50 meters. It is the only one, and its architecture is very delicate and intricate. The home of Bruneleschi was built in Florence after that. There are wonderful Armenian architectural monuments in the 7th-8th centuries. In the context of all this, I must set aside the highly tasteful and unique Italian architecture.

Hayern Aysor: Let’s talk about the forum. Can it help the Diaspora Armenian designers and architects in their profession in terms of adding somewhat unique and interesting innovations?

M. B.: I have always participated in forums and conferences. I simply didn’t give a speech the first time. Indeed, this was a major event, but I believe the topics need to be more specific. If there’s an interesting topic, there have to be about 10 speeches devoted to that topic so that it can be more interesting for students.

Hayern Aysor: How would you assess the external look of architecture in Yerevan? Is there harmony between the old and the new?

M. B.: There is no harmony. I was talking exactly about this topic during a forum last year. Today, the Republic of Armenia has two orientations. It is either copying the style of world architecture (there are several such buildings in Yerevan), or is trying to create an “Armenified” style of architecture, like Northern Avenue, but there are some minor elements taken from Tamanyan.

Hayern Aysor: Which is the most beautiful architectural structure in Yerevan for you?

M. B.: The buildings built in the 1940s and 1950s, the building of Moscow Cinema, and there are several beautiful buildings on Kievyan Street and at the Cascade Complex.

Hayern Aysor: Do you support preservation of the traditional, or the creation of something new?

M. B.: You can’t limit yourself. In Rome I have seen modern structures next to traditional ones. By preserving the old, we need to develop and create the new, without destroying anything.

Karine Avagyan

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