KANAZ: The Cultural Heart of Kanaker’s Aluminium Factory

The Kanaz Cultural House, built in 1958, was designed by architects Sos Manukyan and Vilen Tonikyan as a cultural hub for the Kanaker Aluminium Plant (abbreviated as "Kanaz" from the Russian Канакерский алюминиевый завод).

• Architects: Sos Manukyan, Vilen Tonikyan

• Sculptor: Grigor Badalyan

• Client: Kanaker Aluminium Factory ("Kanaz")

• Construction Organization: Ministry of Construction of the Armenian SSR

The four-story building features a near-rectangular layout with its main axis dedicated to a grand lobby, corner staircases, and a 600-seat auditorium complete with a stage and side boxes. Adjacent to the hall, an open, arched summer foyer extends to the left, while club rooms are situated on the fourth floor to the right.

The architectural design incorporates elements of Armenian national heritage. The main façade is dominated by a decorative archway supported by columns with sculpted capitals. Flanking the archway are statues of a worker and a collective farmer, created by sculptor Grigor Badalyan. The façade is crowned with a pediment adorned with a dentil cornice. The structure is crafted from Armavir tuff stone, showcasing a striking palette of pink, light orange, brown, and dark red hues.

Post-Soviet History and Transformation

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the sale of the Kanaz aluminium factory, the cultural house fell into disrepair. It was repurposed sporadically, serving as a sewing workshop, brick factory, taxi service, and tire assembly facility. The deteriorating state of the building led to its partial use over time.

In 2007, the Armenian Ministry of Economy acquired the building. Renamed the "Art Kanaz" Cultural House, it began a new chapter. In 2017, the Yerevan Council of Elders transferred the property free of charge to the "Art Alphabet" Cultural Foundation, led by People's Artist of Armenia, Hrant Tokhatyan. The foundation initiated plans to establish a children's cultural center, including a school and theater.

Restoration Efforts

In 2019, restoration work commenced under the supervision of the Research Center for Historical and Cultural Heritage SNCO. This initiative aims to revitalize the Kanaz Cultural House as a significant historical and cultural landmark, preserving its architectural legacy and ensuring its functional relevance for future generations. However, as of 2024, when I had the opportunity to enter the building, it remained closed, with no restoration work undertaken to revive it.