Leading representatives from prominent architectural studios across Europe, the United States, and Russia have gathered in Armenia for the second NPATAK International Architectural Festival. Through a series of lectures and dynamic discussions, the event aims to foster dialogue on key topics, including global trends in architecture and urban planning, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing today's professional community.

PROFAL, Armenia's leading manufacturer of aluminum doors and windows, is the general sponsor of the event.

"Recognizing the importance of collaboration between architects and PROFAL, we are always committed to supporting such initiatives. Architectural ideas and solutions bring a new level of quality and uniqueness to the built environment, creating spaces that are not only functional but also inspiring. As a platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience, both locally and internationally, NPATAK plays a vital role in advancing the Armenian architectural ecosystem," said Edgar Avetisyan, Chief Executive Officer of PROFAL.

Inspired by the success of the first festival, the organizers of NPATAK are confident that the second edition will be even more impactful, thanks to the engagement of such international architectural studios.

"Architecture is not just about designing buildings; it is a science that shapes our relationships, mindset, and interactions with the environment. With NPATAK, our goal is to bring the best of global architectural thought to Armenia while showcasing the immense potential of Armenian talent to the world. We believe that through collaboration and open dialogue, we can inspire a new generation of architects and contribute to the advancement of Armenian architecture on the global stage," said Hayk Shahinyan, co-founder of NPATAK Architectural Festival.

This year's festival features lectures and discussions from nine internationally renowned architectural studios, including FALA (Portugal), (ab)Normal (Italy), WOJR (USA), Dinelljohansson (Sweden), Bajet Giramé (Spain), Lütjens Padmanabhan (Switzerland), AMUNT (Germany), Meganom (Russia), and HEAD – Genève University (Switzerland).

Oliver Lütjens, co-founder of the Swiss studio Lütjens Padmanabhan, sees participation in the NPATAK festival as a valuable opportunity to explore the development of architecture across different countries. "Architecture refers to everyone, it covers people's most basic needs but it is also a cultural production —it's the language we use to communicate with people. I'm happy that here in Armenia, we have the chance to have that dialogue." During a tour of Yerevan, Oliver Lütjens was particularly impressed by the use of tuff stone, which he believes gives strength and character to Armenian architecture.

The event is being held from September 3-6, with support from Renshin Urban Investments, AGBU Armenia with its Katapult project, along with contributions from several architectural studios. Festival activities are taking place at the Komitas Chamber Music House, the Arno Babajanyan Concert Hall, and the Common Grounds platform.

The NPATAK educational initiative was founded in 2021 by a group of architects, including Hayk Shahinyan, Karen Berberyan, Armen Hakobyan, and Arine Keshishi. Its mission is to advance architectural education, foster the growth of Armenian architecture, and enhance the international visibility and competitiveness of young talent.