The competition was organized by the Initiatives for Development of Armenia (IDeA) charitable foundation within the framework of a project to recreate and comprehensively improve the park. The renewed Friendship Park, revealing the identity of Gyumri, should become a popular recreation place for citizens and tourists.
In total, the organizers received 84 applications from architects from 16 countries. In the final, 19 projects were presented to the jury in three nominations: park bench design, vernissage pavilion design and garden school pavilion design. The victory in the latter two went to IND architects, and the best bench was proposed by the Russian-Armenian consortium Suliman, Rakovskaya & Sofoyan. Selected objects are planned for implementation. The prize pool was $ 10,500.
We present all three winning projects.
Vernissage pavilions
IND architects
The architects tried to create the most adaptable, easy to implement and operate structure, while capable of reflecting the national flavor. Zigzag elements, traditional for Armenian architecture, serve as modules for the vernissage pavilions. The function of the pavilion changes depending on the selected configuration. Linear is suitable for trade and exhibitions, undulating for a food court, and by connecting the modules in a ring, you can create, for example, a craft workshop.
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zooming 1/3 Pavilions of the vernissage for the Friendship Park in Gyumri IND architects
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zooming 2/3 Pavilions of the vernissage for the Friendship Park in Gyumri IND architects
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zooming 3/3 Pavilions of the vernissage for the Friendship Park in Gyumri IND architects
Garden School Pavilion
IND architects
When designing the pavilion, the architects were inspired by the handicraft history of Gyumri and focused on the use of local textiles. It is the textile fabrics that are strung on a frame made of metal rods, forming a spectacular false facade. Local craftsmen will be able to participate in its creation.
Everything is transformed in this structure - both the façade itself and the frame pavilion inside it. Thanks to the sliding partitions, the interior can be easily adapted to the desired format of the event: a fair, an exhibition, a master class, a concert, etc. On the roof of the pavilion, as compensation for the greenery "stolen" from the park, a garden is laid out.
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zooming 1/3 Pavilion of the Garden School for Friendship Park in Gyumri IND architects
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zooming 2/3 Pavilion of the Garden School for Friendship Park in Gyumri IND architects
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zooming 3/3 Pavilion of the Garden School for Friendship Park in Gyumri IND architects
Park bench
Suliman, Rakovskaya & Sofoyan
This project, most likely, was chosen as the best for meeting all the criteria of the competition task: functionality, environmental friendliness, ergonomics, feasibility and, of course, aesthetics. The materials for the bench are wood and stone, which are connected in such a way that the tree "breathes" from all sides. On the flat front ends of stone supports, thematic or informational bas-reliefs can be placed. The length of the bench can be changed - to adjust to the parameters of a particular section of the park.
Learn more about the competition and see the list of jury members here.
