Competition Project: Restoration of the façade of the Ani Plaza Hotel, Yerevan, Armenia.
Ani Plaza Hotel is in the center of the beautiful city Yerevan, Armenia, surrounding well-known architectural masterpieces: National Opera and Ballet Theater, “Republic Square”, Cascade complex, to name a few. The project aims to characterize uniquely Armenian traditional concepts with modern elements to attracts more tourists, visitors, and locals.
The façade is designed to blend in with surrounding buildings, while remaining unique. The design keeps hotel’s current structural concept and during construction should not hinder the work and flow of the hotel. The facade includes a traditional Armenian rug’s mosaic elements. The mosaic elements can be found in mid-century Armenian architectural structures, including in the ruins of medieval palace of “Paron” palace, in medieval city Ani.
The building is facing the sun, and because of that the design utilizes solar energy technology. As a building with controlled air-flow devices that is made from a transparent, photovoltaic, colorful glass panels that move per the sun light’s position. The project will use “Photovoltaic Glass”, originated from a Spanish partnership called ONYXSOLAR. The company allows the hotel to put 15% down-payment to start construction. The hotel’s spending on energy will decrease by 40%, while using photovoltaic glass. Whatever amount of money saved by using the glass panels will cover the rest of the payment within 5-6 years of use.