Narek Minassian
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Projects, Cultural

La Maison Minas

French-Armenian Cultural Center

Monochrome render: a new white volume wrapped around the old basalt house, with an accessible ramp at the entrance
Location
Jajur, Shirak region, Armenia
Year
2019 to present
Commissioned by
Embassy of France in Armenia and the Minas Avetisyan Cultural Charitable Foundation
Type
Reconstruction, rural
Status
Design development
  • Embassy of France in Armenia logo
  • Minas Avetisyan Cultural Charitable Foundation logo

The project renovates and reconstructs the house of the renowned Armenian painter Minas Avetisyan in Jajur village, Shirak region, which was damaged in the tragic earthquake of 1988.

A French-Armenian cultural center and artist residencies will give artists the opportunity to live and work in this very building. The whole area is fully inclusive and accessible. The project will strengthen Armenian-French cultural ties and support the sustainable development of Jajur village.

Archive photograph of the house after the 1988 earthquake, with cracked and collapsed masonry
The stone house today, roofed but abandoned, with grass growing around it
Existing first floor plan with critically damaged spots marked in red
Aerial render of the white roofs and glazed gable among trees
Aerial render showing the terrace, outdoor tables and paved surroundings
Aerial render of the inner courtyard with planting and visitors
Proposed first and second floor plans with room schedules
Four elevations and two sections of the proposed building