Archinect - News

MVRDV unveils Armenian masterplan named after first human to orbit Earth

2022-01-12T10:27:00-05:00

MVRDV has unveiled its vision for a major masterplan in the Gagarin Valley in Armenia. The 34,000-hectare area is home to 11,000 people spread across several villages, with about one-third of the landscape consisting of patches of land owned by the local community. MVRDV’s masterplan seeks to make the area “more sustainable and ecological diverse” through the planting of 10,000 plant species, and 12,000 new housing units.

Farming infrastructure. Image: MVRDV

Under the plans, the existing mosaic of 10,000 existing plots will be preserved and reinforced, while the water systems will be enhanced through the addition of canals, public paths, and greenery along the network. Existing roads will continue to form a starting point for connecting the villages, with new walking and cycling infrastructure added.

Bird's eye view. Image: MVRDV

“The area is named after Yuri Gagarin, who was the first human to orbit the earth; he saw the planet’s vulnerability, a house in need of extra care, as many...

The long-awaited Armenian American Museum is breaking ground on July 11

2021-07-07T21:00:00-04:00

The backers behind the long-proposed Armenian American Museum will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for the project on July 11 in Downtown Glendale.

In the works for more than seven years, the Armenian American Museum and Cultural Center of California will be two stories and approximately 50,800 square feet with features including permanent and temporary exhibition galleries, an auditorium, kitchen, gift shop, learning center, and administrative offices.

Glendale-based Alajajian Marcoosi Architects is designing the museum, whose noted façade design is modeled after rock formations seen in the Armenian Highlands.

Previously on Archinect: Design for Armenian American Museum in Glendale unveiled

In 2018, the Glendale City Council greenlit the design of the museum and approved a one-dollar-per-year ground lease agreement at the city-owned Glendale Central Park. The initial term of the lease is for 55 years, with the option to extend up to 95 years.

Funding of the museum has come from various sources including grants and contributions secured from a $14 million Groundbreaking Campaign, $8 million from the State of California, and $...

Design for Armenian American Museum in Glendale unveiled

2015-12-17T13:21:00-05:00

The Armenian American Museum unveiled its conceptual design at the Glendale City Council meeting on Tuesday, December 8, 2015. [...] The Armenian American Museum concept designed by Alajajian Marcoosi Architects will include exhibitions space, resource center, a performing arts theater, and classrooms. [...] The 1.7 acre property on the corner of Verdugo Road and Mountain Street will also serve as the location for a memorial to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

For more information about the project, head over to the Armenian American Museum website.

Golden Lions for Armenian pavilion & American artist Adrian Piper at Venice Biennale

2015-05-15T14:54:00-04:00

The Armenian pavilion at this year’s Venice Biennale has won the Golden Lion for best national pavilion. The pavilion, Armenity, features a group exhibition by 18 diaspora Armenian artists and grandchildren of survivors of the Armenian genocide, who the jury praised for “forming a pavilion based on a people in diaspora, each artist engaging their specific locality as well as their heritage”. [...] American artist Adrian Piper was awarded Golden Lion for best artist.