Funded by: Afeyan Family Foundation
PI: Narine Sarvazyan, Ethan Bourdeau
Project description
In recent years, the focus of preservation efforts has expanded beyond physical structures and visuals to encompass the auditory dimension of cultural heritage. Armenia, known for some of the earliest examples of Christian architecture, offers a unique opportunity to study this heritage. Architectural acoustics, combined with advanced technologies such as LiDAR and 3D modeling, can deepen our understanding of how music, liturgy, architecture and nature intertwine. The project aimed to create a complete digital representation of both spatial and sound features of three different Armenian cathedrals, advancing knowledge in both the fields of architecture and heritage conservation and providing unique educational opportunities to the AUA students. The project showcased a robust international collaboration. Ethan Bourdeau, an Assistant Professor at Columbia University and founder of Bourdeau Acoustical Design, joined forces with three faculty members from the American University of Armenia, including Mihran Gurunian, Satenik Mnatsakanyan and Narine Sarvazyan to successfully complete the project.