Concept Development for Museum of Contemporary Art after J.L.Gafesjian in Cascade Complex, Yerevan, Armenia (International competition)

Address: Yerevan city, Armenia
Project year: 2004

Cascade Complex is a monumental construction of the late 80's of the USSR period. It is one of the dominant urban focuses of Yerevan city, but after the USSR collapse, the last 6-th section of the Complex remained unfinished. In 2002, Mr. J.L.Gafesjian (known American businessman and art collector) obtained the Cascade Complex to serve as an exhibition center for his private collection, which he presented to Yerevan.

The requirement was to create a museum concept which would become one of the trademarks of the city.

The composition of the proposed Complex is assembled around the main core, in the form of 3D model of the gravitational field, galaxies, whirlpool etc., where the main gallery locates. Three sectors in the truncated segment identical form are attached to the core from the South and form the "Waterfall of shells" down the Cascade hill, where the entrance group locates. It includes

Cafe-Restaurant and a Hall for special events. From the last three "Shells" (from the height of the slope 1100 1200m above sea level) a breathtaking view of the Ararat valley (800-900 m) and Yerevan downtown is observed and in the distance, the biblical Mount Ararat is dominating on the plain.

Architect: Telemak ANANYAN
3D modeling and visualization: Lilit HAYRAPETYAN

http://ithaka.ru/eng/portfolio?pid=138&cid=17&id=106