Astana Kazakhstan State Auditorium



2003-08 (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.





Astana Auditorium architects : Studio Nicoletti Associati

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Astana Kazakhstan State Auditorium - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt