Armenian Museum of America Begins Major Exterior Renovation

“This is an important project for the Museum and our community,” said Ara Krafian, who was enlisted by Kolligian to help guide the vision and planning for the exterior restoration. The care that the Armenian Museum leadership team has taken to ensure that decisions are thoughtful and considered is impressive, particularly given the many moving pieces involving signage, tenant coordination, building system challenges, and ongoing museum operations. This project will provide permanence and beauty to the museum’s exterior allure.”

Improving the façade and overall architectural presence will create a stronger connection between the institution and the surrounding community, encouraging those who may be unfamiliar with the Museum to notice the building, recognize it as a cultural destination, and come inside.

“We want the museum to feel welcoming from the moment someone encounters it,” added Kolligian. “The work we are undertaking will give the building a renewed presence while helping us introduce the Museum to new audiences. Our goal is for people walking or driving along Main Street — which has been designated an official Cultural District by the Mass Cultural Council — to see the Museum, become curious about what is happening inside, and come through its doors.”

The Stephen Papken and Marie Graves Mugar Building in Watertown Square stands on the site of the former Town Hall and fire station. Originally built by Coolidge Bank and Trust in 1971, the building was designed by Ben Thompson Associates, whose notable projects also include Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the Design Research building on Brattle Street in Cambridge. It was acquired by the Armenian Museum in 1988 when Coolidge Bank relocated to downtown Boston.

In 2018, the museum began paying renewed homage to its Brutalist architecture. Derived from béton brut, the French term for raw concrete, Brutalism is characterized by cast-concrete forms and repeated modular elements. While sometimes considered austere, the style was envisioned as a monumental expression of the importance of civic spaces and public institutions.

The exterior improvements come at an especially meaningful time for the Armenian Museum of America as it celebrates its 55th anniversary. Founded in 1971, the museum is marking more than five decades of preserving, presenting, and sharing Armenian history, art, and culture. Over the years, it has continued to expand its exhibitions, public programs, educational offerings, membership, digital initiatives, and community partnerships, welcoming thousands of visitors and presenting exhibitions that connect Armenian history and culture with contemporary artistic and cultural conversations.