Tigran Kostandyan is an Armenian architect licensed in the state of New York. He has extensive experience working on residential, cultural, and commercial ground-up and adaptive reuse projects, taking a leading role in their design and development while contributing to sustainable approaches to architecture.
Tigran has also served as an adjunct faculty member, teaching courses on digital fabrication that address human and non-human habitats. His design research engages with the environment and culture through the lens of architecture, employing cinematography, model-making, algorithms, and storytelling. He was a 2020 Strelka Terraforming Research Fellow and is the recipient of the 2024 GSAPP Incubator Prize.
Tigran has worked on exhibition design and art production for notable projects, including the Sharjah Architecture Biennial 14, Sharjah Architecture Triennial 01, Dubai Expo 2020, Frederick Kiesler: Vision Machines at the Jewish Museum (NYC), and the Graham Foundation (Chicago).
DXA Studio, New York, NY, US, Intermediate Architect
Involved in all stages of project design, from developing conceptual frameworks to construction documents and construction administration. Rendering, modeling, scheduling, coordinating with consultants, ensuring compliance with NYCBC ,IBC, ADA, EN, and all other applicable codes, managing documentation, and overseeing the production of internal and external presentations. Mentoring junior staff and ensuring quality control. Providing advanced computational modeling assistance to all members of the studio team. Contributing to building envelope design with up-to-date building science and comprehensive documentation. Member of Fabrication and BEM (Building Energy Modeling) committee.
Independent projects, New York, NY, US, Independent Projects
•Exhibition Design: “Frederick Kiesler: Vision Machines” at the Jewish Museum.
Project Collaborators: Mark Wasuta, Farah Alkhoury, Tigran Kostandyan. Status : Built
•IInterior Design: Concept, SD, DD & CD photography studio, Hastings on Hudson.
Project Collaborators: Farah Alkhoury, Tigran Kostandyan. Status: Built.
•Design and Production: of public artwork at Dubai Expo 2020 for artist Asma Belhamar. Project Collaborators: Tamara Barrage, Farah Alkhoury, Tigran Kostandyan. Status: Built.
•Architecture: Concept SD, DD, for artist studio and private residence, Jumeirah Dubai. Project Collaborators: Farah Alkhoury, Tigran Kostandyan. Status: Under construction.
•Digital Architecture: VR exhibition space for Korea National University of Arts
Project Collaborators: Tigran Kostandyan, Jean Im, students and faculty from Korea National University of Arts
Pliskin Architecture, New York, NY, US, Senior Architectural Desinger
Project contact point for several architectural ground-up and adaptive reuse projects. Worked on all stages of design and helped improve office BIM and Rhino workflow standards.
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), New Jersey, Adjunct Professor
Critical modeling and fabrication course - students learn to rethink design by shifting focus from human-centered design to one of planetary habitability.
Through workshops and advanced fabrication exercises, students explore how material transformations have far-reaching ecological effects. The course emphasizes understanding the environmental and atmospheric consequences of design choices, encouraging students to create and fabricate solutions that support the habitability of the planet.
vivarium, Dubai, AE, Founder
Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design, Moscow, RU, Research Fellow
The Strelka Institute’s Terraforming program is a renowned interdisciplinary research and design initiative based in Moscow. It was established to explore pressing global challenges through the lens of architecture, urbanism, technology, and ecology.
The Strelka Institute suspended its operations in early March 2022 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The institution announced its decision to halt all programs indefinitely, citing the loss of lives in Ukraine and the impossibility of continuing "business as usual" during the conflict.
Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah, AE, Architect and Exhibition Designer
Worked on future expansion projects for the institution, including a 36,000 m² mixed-use facility and a Regional Gallery designed to host the permanent art collection of the Sharjah Art Foundation. Additionally, involved in the design and production of exhibitions organized by SAF. Notable exhibitions include the Sharjah Architecture Triennial for participants such as Dogma, Feral Atlas Collective, and L.E.FT Architects; Sharjah Biennial 14, featuring artists like Balteo-Yazbeck Alessandro, Black Hannah, Clayton Jace, and Mattai Suchitra; March Project 2019, with artists Mario Santanilla, Farah al Qasimi, Asma Belhamar, May Rashed, Saeed Al Madani, and Filwa Nazer; and Mappa Mundi by artist Frank Bowling.
Columbia University, New York, NY, US, Adjunct Assistant Professor
Teaching Assistant: Cristina Goberna Pseudo in an advanced architecture studio on experimental theaters.
Josep Ferrando, Barcelona, ES, Architectural Intern
Modeling of vertical circulation and produced publication drawings of Tarragona Sports Pavilion.
YO-CY, Sharjah, AE, Research Assistant
Research-based practice focused on digital fabrication. Assisting with coding fabrication and installation.
American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, AE, Lab Assistant
Responsible for the safe operation of labs, assisting students various various fabrication technologies
Columbia University, New York, NY, US, MArch, Masters in Advanced Architecture Design
GSAPP Incubator Prize: Columbia University, Grant
The GSAPP Incubator seeks to expand the territory between academia and the profession, and promotes new models of practice by supporting alumni in the development of a wide range of new ideas and projects about architecture, contemporary culture, and the future of the city. Initially founded as a co-working space in 2014 at the New Museum’s NEW INC platform, it was relaunched as the GSAPP Incubator Prize in 2019.
CBDX Cities for All, Honorable Mention
Honorable mention for the project "The Node" CBDX international design competition, Organized by Callgery University.
Project team - Tigran Kostandyan, Mario Santanilla, Abubakr Ali
