Constructivism in Yerevan
Guide to the remaining constructivist buildings of the early soviet period in Yerevan, Armenia.
The avant-garde of the 20–30s left its few traces on the streets of Yerevan and in all the progressive cities of the former USSR. Unfortunately, most constructivist buildings have undergone significant changes, from decorative elements at the construction stage to extensions and superstructures during operation and renovations.
All places on Google Maps.
1. Builders Club
Address: 7 Abovyan St
Year of construction: 1929
Architects: Karo Halabyan, Gevorg Kochar, and Michael Mazmanyan
In the mid-1930s, the building was transferred to the Opera and Ballet Theater, and in the 1960s it was entirely rebuilt, but the facade retained the ribbon windows.
2. Residential Buildings on Zakyan Street
Address: 8 Zakyan St
Year of construction: late 1920s — early 1930s
The buildings were renovated: elevators and extensions appeared, and the constructivist appearance suffered greatly.
3. Armgosstrah
Address: 1 Pushkin St
Year of construction: 1930
Architects: Karo Halabyan, Gevorg Kochar, and Michael Mazmanyan
The building was reconstructed and partially rebuilt.
Across the street is a building in disrepair belonging to the same era.
4. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry
Address: 19 Koryun St
Year of construction: 1931
Architect: Gevorg Kochar
The building has been preserved in almost unchanged condition.
5. Residential Quarter for Workers
Address: 23 Chekhov St
Year of construction: 1932–1933
Architects: Gevorg Kochar, Michael Mazmanyan, Oganes Markaryan, and Samvel Safarian
One of the best examples of a constructivist work settlement of the 1930s.
6. Residential Block of the «Synthetic Rubber» Plant
Address: 11 Vardanants St
Year of construction: the end of 1934
Architect: Tigran Erkanyan
The complex of buildings remained unchanged, although on closer inspection you can notice the neat superstructures of the upper floors.
7. Residential Building on Tpagrichner Street
Address: 3 Tpagrichner St
Year of construction: 1930s
8. Residential Building on Hanrapetutyan Street
Address: 67 Hanrapetutyan St
Year of construction: 1930s
The building was renovated with minor changes, an add-on was overbuilt.
9. Residential Building on the Corner of Tpagrichner Street and Vardanants Blind Alley
Address: 13 Tpagrichner St
Year of construction: 1930s
10. House of Professors
Address: 32 Abovyan St
Year of construction: 1934
The building was renovated with minor changes, an add-on was overbuilt.
11. Armenian KGB
Address: 104 Nalbandyan St
Year of construction: 1934–1935
Architect: Gevorg Kochar
12. Moscow Cinema
Address: 18 Abovyan St
Year of construction: 1935–1936
Architects: Gevorg Kochar and Tigran Erkanyan
The building is replete with neoclassical decor, which appeared after criticism of the original project, but its constructivist frame still emerges from afar.
13. Geological Committee
Address: 48/1 Nalbandyan St
Year of construction: 1936
The building was significantly reconstructed, and an add-on was overbuilt.
14. Residential Building «International»
Address: 38 Tumanyan St
Year of construction: the second half of the 1930s
Architect: Nikolay Buniatjan
The building was renovated with minor changes.
15. Kentron Municipality
Address: 44 Teryan St
This is an example of a transitional period building: through the classically stylized pilasters, capitals, and cornices, a constructivist foundation emerges.
16. Department Store
Address: 1/3 Abovyan St
Year of construction: 1936–1937
Architects: Gevorg Kochar, Michael Mazmanyan, Arsen Aharonyan, and Oganes Markaryan
The building represents post-constructivism with elements of social realism, but the first version of the project was constructivist. It has been rebuilt many times.
Sources:
Armenian constructivism. Gevorg Kochar, L. S. Pipoyan;
Tamanyan’s Yerevan Between Constructivism and Stalin Era Architecture, Levon Abrahamian;
Yerevan on the map of The Constructivist Project.
You might be interested in taking a look at Soviet Modernism in Yerevan.