Astana Kazakhstan Auditorium, Concert Hall Building Images, Architect, Design, Photos

Astana Kazakhstan State Auditorium Building

Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall design by Studio Nicoletti Associati, Architects

2 Mar 2010

Astana Kazakhstan Auditorium

Dates built: 2003-10

Architect: Manfredi Nicoletti and Luca Nicoletti, Italy

International competition, first prize

Coordination: Giulia Falconi

Newly inaugurated Kazakhstan central concert Hall in Astana

Kazakhstan concert Hall photos © Studio Nicoletti Associati, photographs: Simone Levi

Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall – Building Description

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. The shape of the Kazakhstan central concert Hall 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 Kazakhstan 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.