The International Union of Architects has announced the launch of an international competition for the design of a multifunctional complex in the centre of the Armenian capital city, Yerevan, with a prize fund of US $115,000.

The complex will be situated in the heart of the capital on a site of over 4 hectares, and will include an Intercontinental hotel.

The single stage competition is organized by Avangard Motors LLC in collaboration with the Municipality of Yerevan and the Union of Architects of Belarus and with the participation of the Armenian Ministeries of Urban Development and of Diaspora. In conformity with the UNESCO-UIA regulations, the competition has been approved by the International Union of Architects.

An international jury is composed of Edward Avetisyan (Russia) President of Avangard Motors LLC, and Gagik Beglaryan - Mayor of Yerevan. The following architects will also sit on the panel: Mkrtich Minasyan, President of the Union of Architects of the Republic of Armenia, Michael Rotondi (USA), Makoto Watanabe (Japan), Enrique Sobejano (Spain), Alexander Korbut, President of the Union of Architects of the Republic of Belarus.

Deadline for registration is 9 November 2009, deadline for submitting projects 15 January 2010 and the jury meeting will take place from 22-24 January 2010.