beirut based architecture practice, paul kaloustian studio, has been commissioned by the children of armenia fund (coaf), to complete the ‘coaf smart center’ in the lori province of armenia. the client’s brief required a building to facilitate the expansion of their community works in order to deliver regionally-relevant educational, social, economical and community programs. the resulting approach therefore respects the rural aesthetics of the region while also providing a contemporary architectural space.

view from the courtyard, all images courtesy of paul kaloustian

the design takes on a smooth organic form to complement the rolling hills and valleys of the region. instead of choosing to emphasize the architecture as the landmark, the landscape is the landmark. to achieve this, the architect has designed the structure to embrace the landscape by creating a sinuous ribbon-like walkway around an immense courtyard. the resulting design is a single storey that spreads horizontally, following the shape of the land. in doing so, the architecture generates an environment, as opposed to generating a building.

roof view showing the courtyard

upon arrival, the visitor enters into an enclosure that opens out to a space bathed in light. the immense courtyard beyond the clear glass creates a continuation of the interior. beyond the main structure of the campus, a sheer wall nestled in the descending countryside marks the entrance to a guests’ house. in this same appraoch, amenities punctuate the scenery of the smart center as small, seamless cylindrical enclosures. this play of scale between landscape and building blends together to create an architectural language which becomes an extension of the landscape itself.

the studio wing

roof view showing the lounge wing

the lounge wing and its walkway

street view

view from the road

interior view of the open space

interior view of the auditorium

a bird’s eye view of the landscape

plan of the smart center

sections of the smart center

project info:

project name: the coaf smart center 

architect: paul kaloustian architect

client: coaf (children of armenia fund)

location: armenia, lori province

built-up area: 5000 m2

date of completion: 2018

team leader: shoghag ohannessian

structure: tigran khachiyan

electro-mechanical: mangassarian

local team: urban unit

glass: schuco

lighting: trilux