International Architectural Open Competition for the COAF SMART Campus Armavir

Architecture Competition: International Architectural Open Competition for the COAF SMART Campus Armavir

With the construction of a new COAF SMART Campus in Armenia’s Armavir region, COAF is expanding its efforts to where the organization started its mission to rebuild the country’s rural communities 18 years ago. The International Architectural Open Competition aims to find well-programmed, landscape-specific, innovative, sustainable design strategies interpreted through a creative architectural language for the SMART Campus in Armavir, with a focus on the COAF SMART Center, a non-formal education hub.

COAF was founded in 2003 when Founder & Chairman Garo H Armen visited Armenia’s countryside and was confronted with the lack of basic infrastructures and amenities. In its early stages of development, the foundation realized that the needs of the rural population went far beyond infrastructure improvements and created a community-based approach for rural development, targeting the areas of education, health, social services, and economic development. Currently, the organization is offering over 30 uniquely designed programs that are actively implemented in 50 communities of five regions in Armenia (Armavir, Aragatsotn, Lori, Shirak, and Tavush) with a mission to expand its work across Armenia.

The pioneering COAF SMART Campus in the Lori region is a unique landmark. At the heart of the Campus lies the COAF SMART Center, an educational facility that brings innovative, tech-savvy resources to children from 27 communities. Over the past years, the Campus expanded to become a site for diverse economic development opportunities and several social enterprises, including a hotel (the Concept Hotel), a tourism information center (the Visitor Center), and a professional conferencing venue (the Conference Center) which is currently in construction.

The new COAF SMART Campus will be located in the Armavir region 55 km (34 mi) from the capital city, Yerevan, in the outskirts of Myasnikyan village, close to the cities of Armavir and Ejmiatsin, several agricultural farms, and the infamous Armenian winery Karas Wines. The 90-hectare site (222 acres) is centrally situated between COAF’s long-standing beneficiary communities, offering a picturesque view of Mounts Ararat and Aragats.

The international architectural competition is open and requires registration. The registration should be made online through the competition website coaf.org/smartarmavir. After receiving confirmation, the full Competition Package will be sent to your email address. There is no application fee for participation, but registration is required to receive the Competition Package.

The competition Jury consists of nine professionals, the majority being architects. London-based architect Mr. Michel Mossessian will chair the Jury.

The Jury members are:
– Albert Zurabyan RA Honorary Architect, zaart architects (Armenia)
– Aram Pakhchanian, Education Expert, Ayb Foundation (Armenia)
– Arsen Karapetyan, Architect, d’arvestanots Studio (Armenia)
– Elija Kozak, Architect-Urbanist, MVRDV (The Netherlands)
– Ia Kupatadze, Architect, Associate Professor at Illia State University (Georgia)
– Korioun Khatchadourian, COAF Managing Director (Armenia)
– Michel Mossessian, Architect, mossessian architecture (UK)
– Philip Gumuchdjian, Architect, Gumuchdjian Architects (UK)
– Sarhat Petrosyan, Architect – Urban Planner, SP2 (Armenia)

The total award budget is 7,000,000 AMD (approximately $14,000), which is envisioned to be distributed among the following award categories:

– 1st prize 3,000,000 AMD (approx. $6,000)
– 2nd prize 1,750,000 AMD (approx. $3,000)
– 3rd prize 1,250,000 AMD (approx. $2,500)
-Jury’s mention 1,000,000 AMD (approx. $2,000).

To receive the Competition Package and take part in this open international architectural competition you need to register at coaf.org/smartarmavir by April 22, 2022. The deadline for applications is May 2, 2022.