adrian smith and gordon gill release plans for the 2017 expo- future energy

‘expo-2017’ by adrian smith + gordon gill architecture, astana, kazakhstan
image © adrian smith + gordon gill architecture

after a close competition, planning for the 2017 world expo in astana, kazakhstan is already underway. chicago-based studio adrian smith + gordon gill architecture has shared with us their intelligent winning design that will illustrate the theme of ‘future energy’, envisioning astana as ‘the first third industrial revolution city’. with a site covering 17 hectares, the campus will contain 118,620 m2 of cultural pavilions, a residential development of 686,000 m2, 72,000 m2 of service areas (shopping, socio-cultural program, educational and civic facilities, and parks), and parking to accommodate the thousands of anticipated visitors. the design will address the shifting attitudes in energy change, to a holistically integrated system of decentralized energy-creating structures, advanced storage devices, and a large scale smart grid for distribution.

the project will take place over two phases: phase 1 or ‘expo mode’ will see the construction of the individual pavilions, performance spaces, services, and the ‘covered city’ – a cluster of residential units, retail, and offices. each individual building is a result of exhaustive site research, taking into consideration specific light, solar, wind, thermal, acoustic, and energy production conditions. in this way, each building successfully mediates between an efficient and positive-energy contributor to the grid without compromising functionality and comfort for their unique programs. this phase will accommodate visitors from all over the world during the official opening of the expo, at the center of which is the spherical-shaped kazakhstan pavilion occupying 24,000 m2 boasting a high-tech outer membrane designed to reduce glare and thermal loss all the while saving significant amounts of energy.

being centered around energy consciousness and innovation, the event’s infrastructure will not be simply taken down or partially abandoned upon the expo’s closing. phase 2 of the project, titled ‘legacy mode’ will see the conversion of the campus into an international office and research park. the vast parking grounds and service areas will be turned into 700 additional residential units, offices, hotels, local markets, and civic and educational facilities in a series of new first class neighborhoods.

center of the expo
image © adrian smith + gordon gill architecture