Curiosity, Courage, and Creativity: Mkhitar Evoyan’s Transformative Journey at Fab Lab Armenia
In a world that moves at the speed of innovation, it takes a certain kind of mind to pause, observe, and create something meaningful. Mkhitar Evoyan is that mind—equal parts problem-solver, dreamer, and doer. As a Technical Support Specialist at Fab Lab Armenia, Mkhitar’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the passion that inspires those around him to think bigger and bolder.
This isn’t just a story about machines and tech—it’s about transforming people, communities, and possibilities.
Shaped by Two Cultures
Mkhitar grew up straddling two worlds—St: Petersburg’s bustling urban energy and Yerevan’s warm, close-knit community. “Living between two cultures taught me adaptability,” he reflects. “You learn to appreciate diversity and realize every problem has more than one solution.”
The cold, misty streets of St. Petersburg stood in stark contrast to Yerevan’s sunlit hills, where laughter echoed from courtyards. Mkhitar often spent hours in his family’s workshop, the smell of oil and metal lingering as he tinkered with machines alongside his older brother. He recalls dismantling an old cassette player, convinced he could turn it into a miniature robot. “It didn’t quite work,” he chuckles, “but I learned something about motors, circuits, and what happens when you experiment.”
These small experiments laid the foundation for the hands-on approach he carries to this day.
2020: A Turning Point
The year 2020 was a collective reckoning for many, but for Mkhitar, it hit even closer to home. When war erupted, he found himself surrounded by uncertainty, grappling with the fragility of life.
“There’s a clarity you get when you see how fragile life can be,” he shares. “I came back determined to create meaningful things that could help others.”
Returning home, Mkhitar immersed himself in work, where each project became a tangible expression of purpose. The sounds of machinery humming, the feeling of tools in his hands, and the satisfaction of bringing an idea to life gave him renewed clarity.
From CNC Workshops to Tech Expert
Mkhitar’s technical foundation began in his teens when he shadowed his older brother at CNC workshops. Watching machines carve intricate designs from raw materials fascinated him.
“Machines don’t lie,” he explains. “If there’s a problem, you must figure it out.”
During this time, he learned programming for CNC tools—mastering G-code to control machines with pinpoint precision. At Margaryan Brothers, he honed his skills further, troubleshooting system malfunctions under tight deadlines. Later, at SoftConstruct and Hologram, Mkhitar tackled larger systems, ensuring complex machinery operated without error.
Finding a Home at Fab Lab Armenia
When Mkhitar joined Fab Lab Armenia, he found more than just a job—he found a playground for his creativity.
“At Fab Lab, routine gives way to innovation,” he says. “I can invent, explore, and collaborate—it’s like being a kid in a room full of possibilities.”
Take the chocolate 3D printer project, for example. Combining a modified food-grade extruder with a reprogrammed Cartesian 3D printer, Mkhitar overcame several challenges, including maintaining consistent chocolate viscosity and ensuring precise temperature control. “It took multiple prototypes,” he explains, “but the moment the first chocolate design took shape, we all just stood there grinning.” The project wasn’t just a novelty; it proved how flexible 3D printing could be across unexpected materials.
Fab Lab Armenia’s mission to empower through experimentation resonated deeply with Mkhitar. He describes the lab as “a safe space to imagine and create.”
Every Day is a New Lesson
Mkhitar believes that learning never stops. His mantra? “Everything can be found if you look for it.”
Currently, he’s immersing himself in electronics and additive manufacturing. He’s particularly proud of his custom-built lathe, a blend of 3D-printed components and precision programming. To create it, Mkhitar combined traditional lathe mechanics with stepper motors, writing firmware to ensure accurate rotations and tool positioning.
“The lathe is about combining old-school mechanics with new technology,” he explains. “It’s proof that innovation doesn’t always mean reinventing the wheel—sometimes it’s about improving what’s already there.”
Igniting Curiosity in the Next Generation
Beyond his technical work, Mkhitar is passionate about mentoring the next generation. Every Saturday, he leads workshops for students and community members, introducing them to hands-on learning.
During a session at Vanadzor No. 8 School, Mkhitar demonstrated a supercapacitor device that powered a strip of LED lights. As the light flickered to life, the students gasped. “You could see the excitement in their eyes,” he recalls. “They realized technology isn’t magic—it’s something they can learn and create.”
One student approached him afterward, beaming, and said, “I want to build something like this one day.” It’s moments like these that fuel Mkhitar’s belief that education, paired with curiosity, can transform lives.
Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
Despite Armenia’s growing innovation ecosystem, Mkhitar acknowledges challenges—especially around time management and gender stereotypes.
“We need to stop seeing skills as gendered,” he says. “At Fab Lab, anyone can build, create, or lead—it’s about what you can do, not who you are.”
Fab Lab Armenia actively addresses these barriers, encouraging participation from underrepresented groups and fostering a collaborative environment where everyone’s potential is valued.
Global Collaboration: A Vision Rooted in Impact
Mkhitar dreams of a world where knowledge is open and accessible to all. Fab Lab Armenia is already connected to a global Fab Lab network, where ideas and solutions are shared across borders.
For example, during a recent collaboration with Fab Labs in Spain and Brazil, Fab Lab Armenia contributed to an open-source project designing modular prosthetics for underserved communities. “It’s incredible to think our work here can help people halfway across the world,” Mkhitar says.
Practical Takeaways: How to Stay Curious and Bold
Mkhitar’s advice for anyone looking to follow in his footsteps:
- Stay curious: “Ask questions. Take things apart. Curiosity is the starting point for everything.”
- Be persistent: “Mistakes are part of learning. Don’t give up when things get tough.”
- Experiment without fear: “True creativity happens when you’re not afraid to fail.”
- Collaborate globally: “There’s so much knowledge out there—connecting with others makes us all stronger.”
Final Thought: For the Curious and the Bold
Whether he’s fine-tuning a machine, mentoring students, or dreaming up his next project, Mkhitar embodies the spirit of Fab Lab Armenia: creativity, courage, and collaboration.
“Everything connects in the end,” he says. “You just have to start and keep going.”
For those bold enough to stay curious, the possibilities are endless—and Mkhitar’s story is proof of that. With the right tools, an open mind, and a community like Fab Lab Armenia, innovation becomes not just a dream but a reality within reach.
As Mkhitar puts it: “If you can imagine it, you can make it happen. All it takes is the courage to try.”
