A place for ‘citizens of the world,’ Armenia’s Esthetic Joys Embassy is housed in a picturesque two-story building enveloped in lush wild grapevines and has been designed by Dalshe Architecture Bureau as an open venue for like-minded people, a safe space to work, socialise and collaborate.
The first project in Armenia for the architecture bureau founded by Polina Litvinenko, Esthetic Joys Embassy is located in Yerevan, the country’s capital, and as such nods to the culture and architecture of the city. Bureau Dalshe collaborated with local builders, bricklayers and engineers — as well as free educational platform TUMO Studios — to realise this off-beat venue.
With two bars, a café, terrace, and an orchard with drinking fountain, the Embassy has hosted art exhibitions, charity chess tournaments, public lectures and a selection of banging parties since its opening in 2022. The interior colour and design is based on various shades of pink and nude, and the use of different kinds of stone (marble, tuff, travertine and granite) serve to give the colours and extra pop and depth.
One of the key challenges of the project was the orchard inherited from the past owners of the building. To enhance this space, bushes and perennial flowers were added. Respecting this ‘floral theme’, Bureau Dalshe incorporated a flower motif which has now become a signature part of Esthetic Joys Embassy’s identity. Found in small details such as glazed tiles and ceramics and even echoed in some furniture, the flower motif is weaved throughout the interiors especially so in the tabletops which are carved in shapes of daisies and the small outdoor fountain made of colourful tuff, travertine and basalt, which resembles a simplified flower.
Yerevan is oft called ‘The Pink City’ because of the dusty pink tuff used for building. By taking advantage of this and adding a vibrant blue to give an exciting contrast to an otherwise calming interior, the designers have created a captivating spot. Whether stopping by to have a drink, have a natter, work or pick up some pieces by local artisans, Esthetic Joys Embassy eagerly awaits a diverse public.
Esthetic Joys Embassy Yerevan Photography, Daniil Primak, Hayro Davtyan.
