Baghdasar Arzoumanian was an Armenian architect and designer based in Yerevan, Armenia. He was the author of a large corpus of civil and religious buildings as well as many smaller design works.
Education and background
Baghdasar Arzoumanian was born in v. Mutsk of Syunik Province, Armenia. From 1928 to 1936 he studied at the Technical School after Alexander Tamanyan. In 1938 he was admitted to the Constructions Department of the Institute for Polytechnical Sciences of Yerevan. In 1942 he was recruited into the Soviet army and took part in World War II. He served in the army until 1946 when he returned to Yerevan to continue his studies. He graduated from the Institute in 1949. During his professional career he worked with "Yerevan Project" Institute and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and provided valuable input into 20th century Armenian architecture. He died on November 19, 2001 in Yerevan. Bishop Paren Avetikian visited the family of the architect to present the condolences of the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin and Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.
Civil buildings
Arzoumanian is the author of many civil buildings in Armenia. Below is a list of his most important buildings:
City hall of Vanadzor and Hotel Gougark in the Hayk Square of the city of Vanadzor, completed during the 1950s.
Baghdasar Arzoumanian is author/coauthor of the RA Police building in Yerevan, various apartment buildings, reconstruction of Moscow Cinema in Yerevan. He is author of numerous memorials dedicated to the victory in the World War II that are located in various parts of Armenia.
Along with his architectural works, Baghdasar Arzoumanian left many design works.
Khachkars and memorials
Baghdasar Arzoumanian is author of many khachkars and memorials. Many of them are located on the grounds of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. He is also the author of memorial in the Monastery of Geghard, memorial and khachkars next to the Prelacy of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese.
Jewellery works
The Golden Alphabet and the Golden Cross of Baghdasar Arzoumanian are very famous all over Armenia and symbolise its past and present. These works are kept in the Pontifical Residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Among other works are:
State Emblem of the Soviet Armenia
Souvenir dedicated to the 30th anniversary of service of Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians
The list continues with various crosiers, rings, the liturgical dressing of the Catholicos of All Armenians. Arzoumanian is author of the design of catholicosal medals St. Gregory the Illuminator, St. Sahak – St. Mesrop, and St. Nerses Shnorhali.
Interior design
Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the author of the Throne Hall of the Catholicos of All Armenians.
Iconostases
Besides iconostases of the churches of his own design, Arzoumanian is the author of the iconostases of following churches:
There are a number of graphical works by Baghdasar Arzoumanian which include design of Etchmiadzin Monthly, Catholicosal Decrees, designs of various books, friendly jests. Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the graphical designer and the author of the text of the book "Armenian Churches".
Tombstones
Baghasar Arzoumanian is the author of the tombstones of:
Baghdasar Arzoumanian is the author of the "Dpratoun" building in Oshakan, Armenia. He is also the designer of the entrance door of the Residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians.
Churches
Baghdasar Arzoumanian is author of 8 Armenian churches and 2 renovation projects.
Renovation projects
Arzoumanian is the author of renovation of the following churches:
