Astana Kazakhstan State Auditorium - architeria.eu

Astana Kazakhstan State Auditorium
2003-2008 (under construction)
International competition, first prize
Architect: Manfredi Nicoletti and Luca Nicoletti
Coordination: Giulia Falconi

This auditorium - one of the largest in the world - was awarded to Studio Nicoletti
as the result of an International restricted competition.

Founded in the heart of the steppes only four years after the Independence of the
Country, Astana is now a decade old new capital of Kazakhstan. Astana's central
nucleus occupies a rectangular area whose organizational axis is based upon a
system of three piazzas. In the largest of these, dominated by the Presidential
Palace, the State Auditorium faces the Senate House. The vastness of the location
conjures up an impression of the immensity of the territory. Flying over the arid
vastness of the steppes, we felt that what is really missing were flowers.
We decided to build the "Flower of the Steppe".

Amidst this monumental void, the structures of the Auditorium rise like the petals of
a flower animated through music. They create an envelope which encloses an
internal piazza housing shops, balconies, restaurants, exhibition halls, two cinemas
and the 3500 seats Auditorium entirely clad in wood inside and outside. Its shape is
similar to a "Dombra" the typical Kazak instrument. Such internal multi-levelled piazza
integrates with Astana's system of public squares, while providing a space protected
from the harsh local climate: a temperature range from -40 to +40 and salty winds.
The Auditorium interior space is also reflecting its suspended wood panelled ceiling
like following a "whirling" motion, form a cavity above the orchestra to regulate
acoustic absorption. To resist against the eroding effect of the salty winds coming
from the steppe, the slanted surfaces of the outdoor sails are clad with glass panels
reflecting the overchanging environment.

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CREDITS:
Text and images: Studio Nicoletti Associati

STUDIO NICOLETTI ASSOCIATI - PRACTICE PROFILE