Saving Elegant Architecture
- Carefully selected hotels & resaurants, all costs and tips included in fee
- Tours of UNESCO-listed and other historic sites
- Class from master stone artisan
- Cooking class & dinner with village family
- Small group with maximum of 10
- Hands-on training in window reglazing led by expert
The Yuzbashyan residence is one of the last unaltered historic houses in Gyumri’s central historic district. This elegant structure was built c 1880, during the city’s most prosperous period. The family was engaged with goldsmithing and leather goods, traveling the region for their business. They built two other residences identical to the one in Gyumri – one in Russia and one in Turkey. The Gyumri house is the best preserved.
Descendants of the original builder still own the residence and are determined to see it restored to its original beauty. Due to a very difficult economic time following the 1988 earthquake, repair and maintenance were deferred, and the residence has suffered serious deterioration. AiP will work with the owners to achieve their goal.
Our project in 2027 is conservation of the glass-enclosed back porch. During the Communist era the porch was used to accommodate a kindergarten, causing damage to wall surfaces and windows. We start the project by repairing window frames, saving original glass, if possible, a putting windows back into place with linseed oil putty.
Join us to learn reglazing skills under the guidance of an expert. We'll all work together to take on this exciting challenge!
Tuesday, May 11 – Arrive in Yerevan and check into hotel.
Wednesday, May 12 – Van pickup at 10am for drive to Gyumri. Walking tour of historic center of Gyumri.
Thursday-Sunday, May 13-16 - Conservation of Yuzbashyan residence; tours of local sites
Monday, May 17 - Tour historic sites in the Shirak region
Tuesday-Thursday, May 18-20 – Continue conservation work; visit important local sites
Friday, May 22 – Drive to Yerevan, visiting Echmiadzin Cathedral
Saturday, May 22 – Depart Yerevan
The hotel shuttle will meet you at the Airport in Yerevan and take you to the hotel.
For those flying home, you will be dropped off at the airport in Yerevan by the hotel shuttle.
Packing list is provided on the AiP website Calendar page.
- All ground transportation, including airport pick-up and drop-off
- Lodging
- All meals
- Translator
- Instruction
- Excursions
- Airfare to Yerevan, Armenia
- Taxi for return trip to airport
- Registration with ETIAS
- Visa if required
- Travel insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage. Send AiP proof of purchase.
Payment is due in full no later than 45 days prior to the trip start date.
- Your 50% deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel prior to 45 days before the start of the AiP session for which you registered, your deposit may be transferred to another session.
- If you have paid in-full and notify AiP of cancellation prior to 45 days before the start of the project session, 50% of your payment will be refunded. The 50% deposit is non-refundable, but may be applied to another project.
- No reimbursement is possible if cancellation occurs after 45 days before the start of the project session or during the project.
- We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance.