Research on Armenian Architecture

Research on Armenian Architecture, commonly abbreviated as RAA, is a nonprofit organization devoted to the investigation, documentation, preservation, and publication of Armenian architectural heritage. It was established in Aachen, Germany, in 1969 by Dr. Armen Hakhnazarian and subsequently developed an international structure that includes RAA Armenia and RAA USA. The organization was formally registered as a nonprofit public organization in 1982. Its institutional development reflects the geographic reach of Armenian architectural heritage, much of which lies outside the modern Republic of Armenia. RAA's principal research concern is the recording of Armenian monuments located in historical Armenian regions and in territories that are now parts of Turkey, Iran, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Its work also extends to Armenian diaspora settlements and communities in places including Syria, Lebanon, India, and Russia. The organization studies churches, monasteries, cemeteries, fortifications, civic buildings, domestic structures, inscriptions, and related cultural landscapes. By documenting these sites, RAA contributes to architectural history, cultural heritage studies, historical geography, and discussions about the condition and survival of Armenian monuments. The organization's research methods combine field investigation with archival and technical documentation. Its records have included digital images, architectural measurements, plans, maps, and archival materials. According to the referenced account, this work has produced a database of approximately 650,000 articles and records, forming a substantial foundation for scholarly publications and other educational materials. RAA's documentation is intended both for Armenian audiences and for the broader international research community. RAA has also supported the dissemination of its findings through publications, monument databases, films, and websites concerning Armenian architectural heritage. These resources make its work relevant not only to academic specialists but also to preservation organizations, museums, educators, diaspora communities, and members of the public researching local or family history. The organization's focus on monuments beyond Armenia's present borders gives it a distinctive role within Armenian cultural heritage research. The organization operates through related national structures. RAA USA was founded in 1996 and is based in Los Angeles, while RAA Armenia was established in 1998 and maintains the principal operational headquarters in Yerevan. Samvel Karapetian served as director of RAA Armenia until his death in 2020. The foundation's board of trustees is chaired by Jora Manucharian. RAA Armenia is governed by a board of directors with responsibilities divided among management and administration, publications, architectural activities, and computer technology. The organization remains active as a research and documentation institution, although detailed current information about its finances, staffing, and legal structure is not established in the supplied material.

Research on Armenian Architecture was founded in Aachen, Germany, in 1969 by Dr. Armen Hakhnazarian. Its creation responded to the need for systematic scholarly documentation of Armenian architectural heritage, including monuments situated beyond the borders of the modern Armenian state. The organization later became formally registered as a nonprofit public organization in 1982. From its beginning, RAA focused on field research and the recording of Armenian monuments in historical Armenian regions. These areas include districts that are now administered by Turkey, Iran, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. The organization's scope was not limited to churches or monasteries: its work encompasses a broad architectural and archaeological record, supported by photographs, measurements, plans, maps, and archival sources. RAA also investigated Armenian settlements and built heritage in the diaspora, including communities in Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, India, Russia, and other locations. The organization expanded its institutional presence during the 1990s. RAA USA was established in 1996, with Los Angeles as its base, and RAA Armenia was founded in 1998. The Armenian branch became centered in Yerevan and served as a major platform for research, documentation, publications, and technological management of the organization's records. Through these related structures, RAA connected researchers, heritage specialists, and Armenian communities across different countries. A major result of the organization's work has been the creation of an extensive research database. The referenced description characterizes the collection as containing approximately 650,000 articles or records, including digital imagery, technical measurements, architectural drawings, cartographic materials, and archival documentation. This body of material has supported scientific studies and publications intended for both Armenian readers and an international audience. RAA has also disseminated research through online monument databases, films, and resources devoted to historic monuments, including monuments in Artsakh. Samvel Karapetian served as director of RAA Armenia until his death in 2020. Later governance information identifies Jora Manucharian as chairman of the foundation's board of trustees. The RAA Armenia board of directors assigns separate responsibilities for management, administration, publications, architectural activity, and computer technology. Emma Abrahamian is identified as managing director; Raffi Kortoshian as co-director for administration and publications; Ashot Hakobyan as co-director for architectural activities; and Armen Gevorgyan as co-director for computers and technology. RAA's continuing significance lies in its emphasis on documentation as a form of cultural preservation. By recording monuments that may be remote, endangered, altered, or politically difficult to access, the organization creates source material for historians, architects, conservation specialists, and communities concerned with Armenian heritage. The supplied sources do not establish detailed information about current funding, annual activity, formal legal affiliations, or the organization's complete present-day leadership beyond the named officers.

• 2020

  Death of RAA Armenia director Samvel Karapetian

  [1]Research on Armenian Architectureen.wikipedia.org

  Samvel Karapetian, director of RAA Armenia, died, marking a change in the organization's leadership history.

• 1998

  RAA Armenia founded

  [1]Research on Armenian Architectureen.wikipedia.org

  RAA Armenia was established, with its headquarters in Yerevan.

• 1996

  RAA USA founded

  [1]Research on Armenian Architectureen.wikipedia.org

  The United States branch, RAA USA, was established and later based in Los Angeles.

• 1982

  Registered as a nonprofit public organization

  [1]Research on Armenian Architectureen.wikipedia.org

  RAA received formal registration as a nonprofit public organization.

• 1969

  Organization founded in Aachen

  [1]Research on Armenian Architectureen.wikipedia.org

  Dr. Armen Hakhnazarian established Research on Armenian Architecture in Aachen, Germany.

An international nonprofit heritage-research organization specializing in the systematic documentation and dissemination of knowledge about Armenian architecture and monuments, especially sites located outside the present-day borders of Armenia.

• Research service

  Architectural monument documentation

  RAA investigates and records Armenian monuments through field research and technical documentation. Materials may include photographs, measurements, architectural plans, maps, and archival evidence. The work covers monuments in historical Armenian regions as well as Armenian-built heritage in diaspora communities.

• Digital research database

  RAA Monuments Database

  The organization's monument database consolidates research on Armenian architectural and cultural heritage. It is described as drawing on a very large body of images, measurements, plans, maps, and archival materials, making the collection useful to researchers, educators, heritage specialists, and the wider public.

• Scholarly publication

  Research publications

  RAA converts its fieldwork and archival documentation into scientific and educational publications. These works address Armenian monuments, architectural history, historic settlement patterns, and the condition of heritage sites, and are intended for Armenian and international audiences.

• Documentary and educational media

  RAA Films

  RAA's film activity provides a visual channel for communicating research on Armenian monuments and historic environments. The films complement written studies and database records by presenting architectural sites and heritage concerns to a broader audience.

1. 1Research on Armenian Architectureen.wikipedia.org