Laboratory for Monument Diagnostics and Measurement
The Laboratory for Monument Diagnostics and Measurement was established under NUACA Chair of Theory, Restoration, Reconstruction and History of Architecture of the Faculty of Architecture, within the framework of the Agreement signed between the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy.
The laboratory has been furnished with professional equipment and literature by Polytechnic University of Milan and the Embassy of the Italian Republic in Armenia with the support of the Cooperation Development Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy.
It is planned to turn the laboratory into a center for the implementation of educational and scientific research programs in the field of research of historical monuments and digital diagnostics, as well as for practical activities.
The modern laboratory equipment enables the students to fully examine any monument and any building, to diagnose existing external and structural internal damages and defects.
Students of the Faculty of Architecture conduct an annual surveying practice, during which laboratory equipment is actively used.
Alongside the application of traditional surveying methods used by previous generations, the students gain experience in leading surveying methods while learning to use modern equipment and technology.
The laboratory is constantly in contact with similar laboratories of some Italian universities.
Within the framework of cooperation, we organize various seminars with students of our University and Italian universities, such as seminars dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage, as well as the “Katoghike Holy Mother of God Church of Avan, Yerevan” workshop held with the University of Florence.
The “Basilica of Yererouk” seminar was held with the students of Polytechnic University of Milan. The aim was to carry out measurement works using laboratory equipment, to propose a project for the development of the area adjacent to the Basilica, as well as a plan for the development of local traditional crafts and tourism in this area.
Laboratory staff regularly hold experience exchange meetings with foreign partners. In 2017 and 2019, they visited the Research Laboratories of Polytechnic University of Milan and studied new technologies and equipment for the diagnosis of monuments.
Within the framework of the Agreement signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia, the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning of the Polytechnic University of Milan and NUACA Faculty of Architecture jointly organized the two-year courses of the “Preservation and Restoration of Armenian Cultural Heritage” specialty in 2012-2014, the “Architectural Restoration” and “Site Management” in 2013-2014, two new one-year courses within the scope of which diplomas were awarded by both institutions. The courses and trainings were based on the technical support of professional equipment of the laboratory.
The successful implementation of the courses was awarded with the prestigious “Europa Nostra-2015” award in the field of “Education, Training and Promotion” in 2015.
The work of the laboratory is not limited only to academic programmes. Using its own potential, the laboratory actively participates in the scientific research and restoration works carried out in Armenia.
We especially want to highlight the works that were carried out for case study of one of the most significant architectural monuments of Armenia, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The laboratory has carried out studies on the presence of groundwater in the foundations and walls of the Cathedral, as well as investigations into the structural condition of the walls, the mortar, binding materials and the murals were studied by the laboratory.
According to the research findings, the laboratory has provided specific recommendations on the development of restoration works and proposed innovative methods such as “Europe and the East – A Concentration on Research and Higher Education in Central Asia and the Caucasus.”
In 2019, the laboratory along with the University of Göttingen (Germany) held the first stage of the international summer school within the framework of the “Europe and the East – A Concentration on Research and Higher Education in Central Asia and the Caucasus” Programme funded by the Volkswagen Foundation.
Scientific research and restoration works have been carried out on the stone materials of the Zvartnots Cathedral, Geghard Monastery, and Avan Church.
Within the framework of the Project, the laboratory has acquired professional equipment for scientific research work.
The final stage of the summer school took place in June, 2022.
In 2020, the laboratory participated in the specialized training course in the field of cultural heritage restoration, which was organized by the Armenian-Italian ROCHEMP Scientific Centre in collaboration with the University of Bologna.