"Armenia honours its ArchiStar on World Architecture Day 2026. Among them Prof. Emma Harutyunyan" by Carlo Coppola
To mark World Architecture Day, the House of Architects of Armenia hosted an event of institutional and cultural significance, featuring the presentation of prestigious awards and the opening of a thematic exhibition. Prominent figures from national institutions attended, including the Chairman of the Urban Development Committee, Yeghiazar Vardanyan; the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport, Alfred Kocharyan; and the Deputy Mayor of Yerevan, Sargis Madatyan, together with professionals from the sector and students.
In his celebratory address, Yeghiazar Vardanyan expressed deep gratitude for architects' daily contribution, describing them as "those who converse with time." Vardanyan stressed that works born of architectural thought are destined to become part of our collective historical memory, shaping the social and urban environment of the present and the future.
Turning to contemporary challenges, the Chairman of the Committee noted that the global architectural agenda now rests on three fundamental pillars: putting people at the centre, environmental sustainability, and the integration of digital technologies. To pursue these priorities in Armenia, the Committee aims to support a new generation of professionals able to put forward competitive ideas and master the most advanced digital tools. On the occasion, Vardanyan awarded several architects gold medals named after great architects of Armenian history (Alexander Tamanyan, Momik and Trdat), as well as recognitions for contributions to urban development.
The ceremony also featured medals and certificates of honour presented by the Ministry of Culture and the Yerevan Municipality. A particularly significant moment was the first-ever presentation of the awards established by the Chamber of Architects of Armenia: its President, Alexander Badalyan, presented them to the masters Sashur Kalashyan, Hrachik Poghosyan, Mkrtich Minasyan and Ashot Aleksanyan. Among the distinguished honourees was Professor Emma Harutyunyan, who has held the gold medal named after Arthur Tarkhanyan since 2012 and who this time received the medal named after Trdat the Builder (940–1020), chief architect of the Bagratid dynasty of Armenia. Professor Harutyunyan, Head of the Department of Theory, History and Heritage of Architecture at the National University of Architecture and Construction of Armenia (NUACA), was elected last September as an expert member of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Education and Training (CIF).
The event concluded with the opening of the graphic art exhibition "Monuments and Urban Landscapes," organised by the Chamber of Architects to celebrate the art of design. World Architecture Day is celebrated every year on the first Monday of October.
Carlo Coppola
