Kohar Tutunjian: “We Armenians have stone architecture that has already been shaped”

The third forum of architects, which was organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora, the RA Ministry of Urban Development and the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers, drew to an end in Yerevan. Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with Qatar-Armenian architect and co-chair of the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers Kohar Tutunjian, who also participated in the forum.

Hayern Aysor: Mrs. Tutunjian, this was the third Pan-Armenian Forum of Architects. What do you think Armenian architects can get out of this? How can it be an addition in the history of Armenian architecture and engineering? How can it be added to the innovative approaches and how can it give the participants of the forum something more?

Kohar Tutunjian: Our goal is to gather these experts under one roof through the Pan-Armenian Association of Architects and Engineers and work with them, accepting as a basis the main pillars that the Association has declared. We will provide details about those pillars on our official website soon. They will be very simple, precise and accessible directives.

First, we will gather the data of our compatriots, experts, companies, groups of builders and construction firms in one database (even if an organization isn’t an Armenian organization, but has at least one Armenian employee). We can help those organizations establish contacts with similar organizations in Armenia, and this is where the second pillar comes into play, that is, the link with young experts who will undergo training and be able to connect those two organizations for the development of Armenia’s economy and engineering thought. The third pillar is aimed at enhancing the design industry and showing the image of Armenia and Armenian design through exhibitions held in different countries around the world. The fourth pillar is aimed at helping young experts grow in the field of their choice through conferences, publications of books and articles, as well as forums and conferences.

Hayern Aysor: Mrs. Tutunjian, there were several interesting topics discussed during the forum. Is Armenian architecture really interesting for Europe and the Europeans?

K. T.: Of course! Let me bring up an example. Two years ago, I was in England where I attended an exhibition devoted to Soviet architecture. There was a special pavilion for Armenian architecture with the title “The School of 20th Century Armenian Architecture”, and the 20th century was not too long ago. We continue to preserve the best traditions.

Hayern Aysor: Do foreign architects use any detail in the ancient and unique Armenian architecture, say, an ornament?

K. T.: Indeed! An ornament is an external design, but we also have stone architecture that you can’t find in Arab countries, Japan, South America and elsewhere. Construction material is very important. In one country you will see bricks, in another country you will see wood, and in another country you will see plaster or clay, but we Armenians have stones (tuff, traverti, basalt, marble, felzid)…We Armenians have stone architecture that has already been shaped. Construction material has an impact on the architecture of the given place in an interesting way. Stone is the Armenians’ advantage in the field of architecture. The other is the dimensional approach to stones. We shape monuments from stone that are more than modern in terms of symbolism. I don’t know of any other architecture that is more developed than that.

Hayern Aysor: Mrs. Tutunjian, the participants of the forum listened to each other and exchanged their opinions. Can an architect from a foreign country use any idea that he liked, or use any interesting detail in architecture and engineering or in the design industry in his country of residence or give a lecture devoted to that topic?

K. T.: All Armenian professionals want to work in Armenia. What can they do abroad? They need to seek formats and ways of cooperation. All the materials of the forum will be published and will be posted on our official website for those with the desire and interest to read and use.

Hayern Aysor: What interesting topic would you set aside as a topic that is very important for Armenia’s modern economy?

K. T.: Almost all the topics are interesting, instructive, helpful and applicable. I attach great importance to the topic “The Initiative of Energy Saving Structures for Armenia”.

Hayern Aysor: Well, Mrs. Tutunjian, I thank you for this substantial interview. We hope the architects talk about tangible results during the fourth forum following this third forum which was, as you described it, a target-oriented forum.

Karine Avagyan

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