“Realizing That There Is No Big Demand For Good Architecture In Society, We Ourselves Are Trying To Create It”

2024 Author: David Durham | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 02:26

Two years ago in Yerevan, architects Armen Hakobyan and Karen Berberian founded the Tarberak bureau. During this short period, it managed to declare itself with numerous bold and proactive projects. It became interesting for me to talk to them about their work. The interview took place via Skype in July 2020.

Guys, despite the fact that we have known each other for a long time, I know little about your bureau. How did you get the idea to found it?

- For several years we worked together for Tim Flynn (Tim Flynn Architects, a British architectural studio, whose Yerevan branch was engaged, in particular, in the design of an international school in Dilijan - T. A.'s note). Then Karen won a grant to study in the United States and left, while Armen stayed to work in the bureau and at the same time was engaged in small private orders. After Karen returned to Yerevan, Armen offered to create his own bureau.

Our first job was the project of a multi-storey residential building. For the new year 2019, they made a sketch and made an alternative proposal to the customer. Fortunately for us, the project has moved on, construction is already underway. From that moment on, in principle, we can talk about the founding of our bureau, although at that time we did not have a legal status and, accordingly, a name.

It should be noted that in Armenian reality there are two main ways to found an architectural bureau: competitions, which are held here very rarely, or interior projects, the market of which is much more liberal, but, accordingly, with great competition. We didn’t want interiors to become our specialization, so we chose a different, alternative path for development.

“Realizing that there is no big demand for good architecture in society, we ourselves are trying to create it”

Why “Tarberak”, which means “Option” in Armenian? Does this make sense, reflecting the specifics of your work?

- Yes and no. They thought about the name for about a year. Initially, they did not want our names to appear in the name of the bureau, since they do not say anything. But after a long discussion of all the possible options, we settled on the “Option” option.

What is the "option"? What is your approach?

- For 30 years (meaning the period of independence of the republic - note by T. A.), a certain vacuum has formed in terms of public spaces in Yerevan. Before that, they were dealt with by the Soviet state, after which the main emphasis was placed on commercial projects. Thus, a large layer of new problems for the city was formed. We see them, we are not indifferent to them. However, these questions are raised only by city officials and journalists. It turns out that the architect is not a participant in this process, he is simply assigned the role of the executor. So we strive to reverse this format and bring these problems to the fore through our architectural activities.

We are not pretentious, the main thing for us is to start a discussion

That is, professional coverage of urban problems is a priority for you?

- Our initiatives, naturally, are aimed at the future. In legal, financial and other aspects, they are quite complicated in terms of implementation, so it is not a fact that they will immediately acquire the status of an order, and we are well aware of this. But we consider it necessary to start the process of discussing these problems today for the development of the city, and here we are trying to act as a connecting link.

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1/11 Petak Metro Station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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2/11 Petak Metro Station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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3/11 Petak Metro Station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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4/11 Petak metro station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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5/11 Petak Metro Station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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6/11 Petak metro station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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7/11 Petak Metro Station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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8/11 Petak metro station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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9/11 Petak metro station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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10/11 Petak metro station © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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11/11 Petak metro station © TarberAK Architectural Studio

The project is dedicated to the optimization of the metro network in Yerevan. The Petak station on the stretch between Sasuntsi David and Zoravar Andranik will not require large investments, but it will greatly facilitate the access of citizens to the Petak and Surmalu shopping malls, and local residents and entrepreneurs to the metro. The station will reduce traffic congestion and increase the attractiveness of the area.

Why don't you limit yourself to research?

- We are trying to synthesize research with design. First, we have a process of multilateral study of the issue. But "naked" research is unlikely to become a subject of discussion. In the form of a project, questions become more accessible, and it is with the project that discussion begins! As in the case of the project for "Cascade", after which there was a certain stir in social networks, and even in course projects at the Faculty of Architecture began to touch upon this topic. One of the newspapers began to extract from the archives old projects of the "Cascade", etc. In general, we have achieved our goal.

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1/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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2/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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3/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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4/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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5/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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6/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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7/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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8/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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9/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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10/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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11/11 Expansion of the "Cascade" complex © TarberAK Architectural Studio

The project is dedicated to the completion of the "Cascade", a 300-meter multifunctional staircase complex, and the full realization of its potential as a cultural center and public space. It also provides for the solution of important infrastructure problems and meeting the existing demand for the performing arts center and museum.

The key idea of the project is to diversify the growing pedestrian load on the Cascade with new panoramic points and transverse shallow ramps as an alternative to the stairs along the main axis.

A small digression. Karen, why did you decide to come home from New York? It seems that this is the dream of any young architect: studying at Columbia University, working with a "star" …

- I agree, but no matter how strange it may sound, it was there that I felt the danger of stagnation. As long as I stayed there, it would be so difficult to return. And I had a desire to return. I studied for a year and worked for a year and a half in the office of Bernard Chumi.

If it's not a secret, tell us a little about him, about his bureau

“This is not a“corporate”office, but at the same time it gives freedom to employees. He is a very open, free-thinking person. He is a "control maniac", so to speak, controls everything to the smallest detail.

Loves options very much. We could develop 20-30 options for one project. Then ten of them were chosen, then they "branched off", and there were about five left. Well, in the end, the least controversial remains.

Working for Chumi influenced your views

- Over time, in particular, in the process of work, I feel that his influence is great. I hate to go into details, but this is where you should get a feel for his design methodology, believe me, it's very exciting! But, at the same time, I am not a supporter of the mechanical implementation of his method.

- Well, to my question: "How did you get to Chumi?", Naturally, I received the answer - "Quite by accident!" (laughing)

Are you looking to put a specific vision into your projects?

- We do not think that we will create a vision of the future with a good interior or even a building. It doesn't matter if you are an [architectural] official or get a big commission to shape that vision. At the same time, you can make a small project and cover a wide range of issues: history, heritage, economics, communications, etc.

If we try to formulate our position, then it is, rather, a movement away from the problem. We do not adapt a pre-announced manifesto or ideology to a specific location. Rather, the opposite is true. We try to concentrate on specific local aspects: to look for and state the problems of a given place and offer our vision of their solution.

For example, in the "Cascade" project, we saw a problem in motion. In the project "Behind the Wall" we saw a problem in the existence of a fence wall, and if it is removed, then a lot of tasks are posed. But in fairness, it should be noted that architecture is such a slow process that while you are implementing a project, the initially set task may disappear.

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1/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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2/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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3/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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4/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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5/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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6/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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7/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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8/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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9/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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10/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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11/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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12/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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13/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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14/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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15/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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16/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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17/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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18/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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19/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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20/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau
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21/21 Behind the Wall. In collaboration with TL Bureau © TarberAK Architectural Studio & TL Bureau

The project developed jointly with TL Bureau is designed to restore horizontal urban connections, which stopped in their development due to the appearance of the "Cascade". We are talking specifically about the territory of the former residence of the President of Armenia (now the State Control Committee) - a green zone locked BEYOND the WALL, which can serve as a public space: a platform for lectures and open film screenings, a walking area for residents of the center and tourists, an information center for museums (where there can be a single museum cash desk), a creative park for students of the Academy. With their project, the architects propose to remove the wall, return the green zone to the city, and create a new community center there.

Even the smallest bureau can express its message with the smallest project

Often the aspiration of young architects and bureaus for originality is reduced exclusively to formal research. What is your language of self-expression?

- You definitely have one specific language. But we strive so that in our projects the perception of the formal "language" is not felt. We abandon clichés and artificial frames for self-expression.

For each specific task, you choose the appropriate language and solution - by different means. The language is formed from project to project. In the process of work, the form is born, and if it solved the problem, then it turned out.

In modern architecture, language is becoming more and more universal and the boundaries of identity are blurring. In Armenia, young architects are also joining this “stream”

- We agree. The information blockade has disappeared thanks to the Internet. Its main users (meaning the beginning of the 2000s, when this generation of architects grew up - approx. T. A.) was the youth of that time. In our opinion, it is with this that one can associate the change in the language of architecture in our country and not only. The instruments of expression have multiplied and changed as well. This also pushed young architects to new thinking. By the way, a lot of new words have appeared in the most professional language: movement, event, public space, etc.

Developed together with TL Bureau, the project for expanding the Isahakyan in the area between the 3rd government building and the lobby of the "Republic Square" metro station ("Hanrapetutsyan Khraparak"). The research carried out by the authors has shown that there is a lack of quality public spaces, especially due to modern requirements for libraries, media diversity, etc. Interestingly, these two zones are located at the same level and are separated by a "pit". The library will be expanded into the space of this "pit" and will be connected to the "Republic Square" through underground fountains. The new volume, due to the stepped shape of the roof, will provide not only horizontal, but also vertical communication: the fountain square, three levels of the library, the upper, green zone of the station.

Architecture is not an order, but something that generates ideas, scenarios, questions

The legacy factor in your projects: how do you work with it?

- We do not single out heritage as a separate substance in our work. First of all, we fix problems in the environment. It is by no means necessary for a structure to be on the list of protected monuments to be considered a heritage. It may be the most unexpected. For us, heritage is working with the problems of the past that have come down to us. We strive for an approach that will help solve today's problems and will not interfere with the past.

In this context, the project in Dilijan is the most interesting for me

- In Dilijan, we saw the potential of heritage in the existing ruins (concrete structures of the unfinished church - T. A.'s note). These constructions were consecrated. People knew that a church should be built there, they came here, lit candles and thus formed a kind of aura around. It was something that had not yet "reached" its function.

We have tried to create a magnet through architecture in an abandoned place that will give impetus to the environment, organize the space and emphasize this “unfinished heritage” by introducing a second thought into it.

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1/9 Dilijan: “Pavilion of Blessed Walls” (permanent exhibition). "Word of Narekatsi" (installation) © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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2/9 Dilijan: “Pavilion of Blessed Walls” (permanent exhibition). "Word of Narekatsi" (installation) © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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3/9 Dilijan: “Pavilion of Blessed Walls” (permanent exhibition). "Word of Narekatsi" (installation) © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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4/9 Dilijan: “Pavilion of Blessed Walls” (permanent exhibition). "Word of Narekatsi" (installation) © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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5/9 Dilijan: “Pavilion of Blessed Walls” (permanent exhibition). "Word of Narekatsi" (installation) © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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6/9 Dilijan: “Pavilion of Blessed Walls” (permanent exhibition). "Word of Narekatsi" (installation) © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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7/9 Dilijan: “Pavilion of Blessed Walls” (permanent exhibition). "Word of Narekatsi" (installation) © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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8/9 Dilijan: “Pavilion of Blessed Walls” (permanent exhibition). "Word of Narekatsi" (installation) © TarberAK Architectural Studio
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9/9 Dilijan: “Pavilion of Blessed Walls” (permanent exhibition). "Word of Narekatsi" (installation) © TarberAK Architectural Studio

The ruined structure in the center of Dilijan, conceived decades ago as a church, but never completed, is proposed to be turned into an open-air art space. The first installation there should be the exhibition "Word of Narekatsi" dedicated to the legacy of Grigor Narekatsi.

To enhance the spiritual character of the pavilion, a 6 mx 6 m cube of polished stainless steel will be erected in its center, “disinterestedly” reflecting the surrounding space. Inside you can display the most valuable works of art. The walls of the pavilion itself are planned to be used for mounting screens, banners and other exhibition materials.

Architecture doesn't need to have a function to be interesting

How do you see your future? After all, "Tarberak" still implies a kind of intermediate state, the state of a variant

- It is clear that it is impossible to maintain this enthusiasm for a long time, and we realize that our motivation can fade away. Although one of our initiatives became a reality, and we realized that our enthusiasm can turn into an order. This gives us the motivation to continue our course. We hope that it evolves and does not go out.

We are free, we want to spread our position. It is also interesting for us - and we have such experience - to do projects in cooperation with other bureaus.