KOMITAS BRIDGE PROJECT

The proposed Komitas Bridge Project is located in Yerevan’s historic Arabkir district, a neighborhood that originally developed as an independent settlement. In 1929, architect Alexander Tamanian envisioned Arabkir as a distinct urban unit composed of individual houses, a central core, a ring-shaped park system, and secondary neighborhood centers. At the time, the district was surrounded by greenery and connected to Yerevan by three key roads.

Over subsequent decades, new urban planning documents gradually integrated Arabkir into Yerevan’s general master plans, aligning its evolution with the city’s broader architectural and infrastructural development.

Urban History & Planning Background

The 1938 Master Plan of Yerevan introduced several strategic concepts, many of which remain relevant today:

• A bridge connection between Baghramyan Avenue and Ajapnyak

• A continuous green belt along the railway

• The establishment of a Northern Axis, linking the green belt to the ravine system and creating a major north–south urban armature

By the 1972 Master Plan, the Northern Axis gained renewed prominence. A civic center was proposed along with a landscaped alley connecting four high-rise research buildings to Nairi Zaryan Street. This intervention reinforced the Northern Axis as a green pedestrian corridor linking Komitas Avenue with Nairi Zaryan Street and providing essential public and recreational space.

Today, Arabkir’s zoning strategy highlights the urgent need for new public spaces, green areas, and safe pedestrian infrastructure — a need directly addressed by the Komitas Bridge Project.

Architectural & Urban Strategy

Situated at the northernmost point of the Northern Axis, at the intersection of Komitas Avenue and Arabkir Boulevard, the proposed pedestrian overpass occupies a location of both symbolic and infrastructural importance. Directly positioned in front of the iconic GAG research buildings, the bridge acts as a public landmark, enhancing Yerevan’s urban identity while improving mobility and accessibility.

The Northern Axis has historically embodied two key principles:

1. Creating a strong, south-facing architectural axis functioning as a city compass, guiding Yerevan’s street network since the 19th century.

2. Marking intersections with distinct architectural landmarks, reinforcing nodal points within the city. Examples include:

• The Opera House

• Cascade Complex

• Republic Square

• Northern Avenue

• St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral

The Komitas Bridge continues this tradition by introducing a new piece of public infrastructure architecture that strengthens Yerevan’s sense of place.

Bridge Functions & Urban Impact

The structure fulfills two essential functions:

1. Urban Functionality

Enhances pedestrian safety and circulation

Promotes sustainable mobility

Ensures durability, low maintenance, and climate responsiveness

Improves access between Komitas Avenue and the GAG building gardens

2. Urban Identity

Reinforces Arabkir Boulevard as a major landmark on the Northern Axis

Creates a recognizable architectural gesture

Revitalizes surrounding public spaces and supports cultural activities

By linking the Komitas–Zaryan section of the axis with the adjacent garden, the bridge becomes both a circulation element and a public destination, encouraging festivals, concerts, cultural programs, and small-scale community markets. Over time, the structure and its garden plaza will evolve into a local cultural landmark, contributing to Yerevan’s collective urban memory.

Design Description

The bridge features a semi-open, unheated structure designed for year-round use:

• Clearance above Komitas Avenue: 4,500 mm

• Bridge height: 4,000 mm

• Total height: 8,500 mm

• Overall length: 47,250 mm

• Main span: 38,500 mm

• Secondary span: 9,500 mm

• Width: 5,300 mm

On Komitas Avenue’s south side, the bridge connects to a rectangular prism volume containing a staircase and an accessible elevator. On the northern side, it continues into the park, integrating seamlessly with existing retaining walls, green spaces, and pedestrian networks.

Structural Solutions

The structure rests on reinforced concrete retaining walls at its northern end, extending naturally from the park. On the southern end, the support begins directly on the sidewalk, occupying three parking spaces while maintaining continuous pedestrian flow.

The bridge is constructed as an active metal truss, wrapped in a quartz-galvanized metal mesh. The mesh softens the structure visually, increases safety, and filters daylight, creating a semi-transparent architectural silhouette above Komitas Avenue.

All engineering decisions are designed to meet strict requirements of safety, seismic resilience, materials engineering, and regulatory compliance under the Republic of Armenia construction norms.

Project Team

Doctor of Architecture: Telemak Albert Ananyan

Master of Architecture: Hayk Martirosyan

3D Modeling & Graphics: Hayk Martirosyan