Astana-EXPO 2017 Competition
Upon their recent selection to host the International Specialized Exposition in 2017 (EXPO 2017) with a theme Energy of the Future, National Company Astana and Mayor’s Office of Astana launched a sponsored international architectural competition for the development of a concept design of EXPO facilities, including an installation to serve as the symbol of EXPO 2017 in Astana. The objective of the competition is to get conceptual architectural and urban planning solutions and ideas for EXPO facilities. The competition began last week and will last until June 18. The winner will get award equal to 15 Million KZT (equivalent to US$ 100,000). For more information, please visit here.
‘Almighty Tree’ Proposal / Saraiva + Associados
In an effort to search for the city’s own identity, the ‘Almighty Tree’ concept proposal by Saraiva + Associados aims to give people the chance to experience the city of Almaty by hovering above treetops. As seen before in Kazakhstan, this unique style of architecture offers the opportunity to involve everyone in a place where the city, in combination with environmental values and modern design, shapes an exciting and memorable idea. Full architects’ description after the break.
Haileybury Astana School / Çinici Mimarlık
Architects: Çinici Mimarlık
Location: Astana, Kazakhstan
Project Manager: Mert Göktürk, Birkan Küçük
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Cemal Emden
Astana Arena / Tabanlioglu
Architect: Tabanlıoğlu / Melkan Gürsel & Murat Tabanlıoğlu
Location: Astana, Kazakhstan
Project Team: Murat Cengiz, Salih Yılgörür, Hakan Bağcı, Süleyman Akka, Nihal Şenkaya Akkaş, Mehmet Vaizoğlu, Serhat Yavuz, Arzu Çetingöz, Ahmet Çorapçıoğlu
Client: Alke – Sembol
Structural Engineer: Buro Happold (London), Arce (İstanbul)
Mechanical Engineer: Dinamik
Electrical Engineer: HB Teknik
Sports Consultant: Populous
Main Contractor: Alke – Sembol
Site Area: 232,485 sqm
Construction Area: 66,249 sqm
Hard / Soft Landscape: 194,531 sqm
Project & Construction Date: 2005-2007
Occupancy: 2009
Photographs: Cemal Emden
BIG seeks Russian-speaking Project Leader for Kazakhstan Presidential Library
BIG is looking for a Project Leader to head up the BIG team responsible for developing the new Presidential Library in Astana, Kazakhstan, which we previoulsy featured in ArchDaily and got many comments from our readers.
The new library, named after the first President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, encompasses an estimated 33.000m2. Being one of the future cornerstones of Kazakh nation-building, and a leading institution that will represent the Kazakh national identity, the library goes beyond a mere architectural challenge.
The new Presidential Library in Astana, Kazakhstan’s new capital since 1997, shall not only accumulate history but also provide a foundation for new futures. It will serve as an intellectual, multifunctional and cultural center with the primary goal to reflect the establishment and development of Kazakhstan, its political history, and the Head of the State’s activities and roles in the development of the country.
Requirements after the break.
National Library in Astana, Kazakhstan / BIG
BIG was recently awarded with the first prize on an open international design competition for Kazakhstan’s new National Library in Astana.
The new building has an area of 33.000 sqm, arranged as a continuous circulation on a Möbius Strip, as the result of 2 interlocking structures: the perfect circle and the public spiral. The sections (see below) clearly show how the horizontal program shifts to a vertical configuration, combining vertical hierarchy, horizontal connectivity and diagonal view lines. The skin, which changes from wall to roof as the strip develops. It sounds a bit complicated, but the sections and diagrams explain this pretty well, and you can get the idea on how the spaces and diagonal views relate on the renderings. In short words, a clear lineal organization (ideal for an archive, library) is mixed with an infinite loop.
“What is a library but an efficient archive of books… and a path for the public to reach them” (Thomas Christoffersen, Project Leader)
This shape also looks forward to become a symbol for the nation: “the circle, the rotunda, the arch and the yurt are merged into the form of a Moebius strip. The clarity of the circle, the courtyard of the rotunda, the gateway of the arch and the soft silhouette of the yurt are combined to create a new national monument appearing local and universal, contemporary and timeless, unique and archetypal at the same time” (Bjarke Ingels).
But once again, BIG diagram´s are way better to explain this than my words. See the diagrams, sections and renderings after the break:
Republic Square / Eric Owen Moss Architects
Eric Owen Moss Architects created a mixed use tower that neighbours the capitol building in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The republic square is part of a large-scale development across the city of Almaty.
The tower itself is 126,000 square feet that will be divided up between retail, office, hotel and residential spaces. The building is a long tower which is anchored to the ground by a 38 meter diameter spiral. This feature will enclose an indoor plaza or ‘winter garden’ connecting the two sides. The spiral provides major support for the structure and encapsulates the five public venues near the ground level. In between these five spaces, four courtyards let natural let in and are each shaped to represent the four seasons of the year.
Seen at designboom. More images after the break.
