TUFF Armenia
Abstract
In 1988, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake devastated Gyumri, Armenia, destroying homes and forcing locals to construct makeshift homes, or domiks, out of corrugated steel and other scrap materials. Thirty years later, families are still living in these "temporary" homes. The TUFF Armenia Project is a project focused on providing sustainable and earthquake resistant dwellings for the citizens of Gyumri using tuff, a compacted volcanic ash found abundantly in Armenia. This material is cheap, sturdy, and easily formed into blocks for construction. The project team consists of architects, engineers, and global studies majors dedicated to design earthquake resistant, affordable, and energy efficient structures for the people of Gyumri.
Accomplishments
So far, the team has completed extensive testing and prototyping of tuff blocks. Multiple trips to Gyumri have allowed the team to research and create solutions in an on-site environment. The team has successfully partnered with several NGOs in Armenia to ensure sustainable growth. The Tuff Armenia Project is also now a class that is being offered for Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 for 4th year civil engineering students.
TUFF Armenia in the News!
Team Leader
Leon Yacoubian - lvy9sf@virginia.edu
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Urban Planning Minor
Graduated: 2018

Team Members
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Bethany Gordon
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Katherine Genurario
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Timothy Klawa
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Santiago Roca
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Lynn Kha
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Lillie Mayfield