Journal of Architectural and Engineering Research

Development of the Methodology for Creating a Database of Multi-Apartment Residential Building Data Based on the Example of a Separate Residential Section in the Republic of Armenia

Mesrop Sahakyan — 2026-03-30

This article analyzes the existing challenges in the management and data coordination of multi-apartment residential buildings in Armenia. Special emphasis is placed on the absence of a comprehensive, digital, unified database on multi-apartment buildings, which creates significant obstacles to urban planning, socio-economic development, and the improvement of quality of life. The seismic resistance of buildings is a primary concern, a fact underscored by the 1988 Spitak earthquake. Yet, no information source exists in Armenia that documents the seismic resilience of each building. The lack of technical monitoring of the housing stock, as well as insufficient cooperation and fragmented data among relevant authorities, further complicates the effective management of the housing sector. Under these circumstances, the collection and centralization of comprehensive digital information in a single repository has become especially urgent. The primary aim of this research is to develop a scientifically grounded methodology for the creation of an architectural and technical database of multi-apartment buildings in Armenia. To achieve this, the study examines international experience and synthesizes both local and global approaches to collecting spatial and technical data on multi-apartment buildings. The current state of residential buildings is analyzed, unique challenges are identified and classified, and principles and patterns for architectural and technical analysis in the database are proposed. The methodology is further elaborated through the modeling of the database based on a case study of a distinct residential segment. The article employs methods such as the collection and summarization of archival materials and documents, systemic and situational analyses, and the study of government decisions related to the topic. The proposed methodology can serve as a foundation for creating a unified and digital repository of architectural and technical data on multi-apartment buildings in Armenia, with wide application in urban planning, technical assessment of the building stock, and the enhancement of public safety.

Interdisciplinary Analysis of Fortresses in the Context Of Folklore And Architecture

Davit Nahatakyan — 2026-07-19

The ‘fortress’ or ‘castle’ of the Armenian Highlands (the terms are used interchangeably here) has not been comprehensively studied from the interdisciplinary perspectives of folklore and architecture. Historically, among humanity’s most significant achievements, fortresses and fortification systems encompass both tangible and intangible dimensions. While the fortresses of the Armenian Highland have been extensively studied from architectural and design perspectives, their intangible aspects remain relatively underexplored. This article proposes an interdisciplinary approach integrating material analysis with intangible cultural data. It does so by drawing together studies from the province of Tayk, where well-preserved fortifications enable spatial and typological analysis, and from the Shirak region, which is rich in folklore and ethnographic material but has only a limited number of surviving structures. By combining these complementary datasets, the research interprets Tayk’s material heritage through Shirak’s intangible traditions and reconstructs Shirak’s fragmented fortification systems by comparing them with Tayk's. This reciprocal model offers a more comprehensive understanding of Armenian fortification heritage, linking physical remains with symbolic and cultural meanings and viewing fortresses as carriers of collective memory. The approach taken is: a) To analyze Tayk’s fortification systems using typological and spatial classification; b) To collect and present folklore and ethnographic materials from Shirak related to fortifications, supplemented with written and scholarly sources; and c) To examine interactions between fortification realities and their representation in folklore, and the influence of intangible culture on perception of the material environment. The study used a combined methodology, including fieldwork, comparative analysis, and analytical synthesis. Field research in the Shirak region involved collecting folkloric data through interviews, oral histories, and ethnographic observations, which were later thematically classified with a focus on fortifications. These data were supplemented by scholarly literature, historical sources, and written traditions, including religious texts.