Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre by Foster + Partners

The entertainment center turns into a melting pot of society and cultures, just as Genghis Khan would have wanted it to be.

Between Helmut Jahn and Tropical Island

Similar as remote as Brasilia, the young capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, was founded by the reigning president right at the heart of the inhospitable Asian steppe in the middle of nowhere 14 years ago. A gigantic economic development program, supported by the country’s oil wealth and the possibility trade has to offer. 0.7 million inhabitants with an average age of 30 years already live in this exceptional city, that number is supposed to double until 2030. No doubt you should have something in store to get, apart from the civil servants, a representative cross-section of the population.

Much has already been written and discussed about the responsibility architecture and architects have when accepting jobs from totalitarian regimes. With many opinions and good points, but without any clear consensus. So, make the best of it and try to meet the sovereign’s brisk wishes in a manner as representative as possible. The bureau Foster + Partners has already gained experiences – by erecting the “Palace of Peace and Reconciliation“ pyramid and the city’s landmark, the Bajterek tower.
And now the new building of the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, looking like somewhere between the Sony Center in Berlin and the weird interior of the once highly-praised Cargolifter hall.

Genghis Khan’s Legacy

And yes, the 150 meters high transparent tent shell, supposed to handle temperatures in summer of +35° Celsius and the cold of the winter of -35° Celsius as a protected climate shell, looks anything but innovative. Three layers of EFTE foil was announced as a technological innovation during the first presentation in 2006. A material which is already being used for some time now due to its low weight and high degree of transparency. So, this is nothing to make people marvel anymore. Falling back on history was another option. In the vein of Genghis Khan, the leader of the Mongolians, who conquered large parts of Northern China and Central Asia around 1200 AC and was announced ruler between the Seven Seas, the Entertainment Center turns into a melting pot of society and cultures. A town has come into being, with squares, beaches, golf and tennis facilities, leisure centers, places to eat out and to go shopping. We shall see what’s coming next – a change of power and thus a change or architects certainly not …

Constructor: FTG company , Sembol Construction
Architect: Foster + Partners
Co-architects: Linea Tusavul Architecture, Gultekin Architecture
Building time: 2006 - 2010