Case study: Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre

Project: Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre
Architect: Foster + Partners
Location: Astana, Kazakhstan

The Project

The Khan Shatyr Entertainment Centre contains over 100,000m² of space inside an ETFE dome, which has recently qualified as the tallest tensile structure in the world. The tent-like, cable-net structure soars 150-metres into the air from an elliptical base to form the highest peak on the Astana skyline. Inside the tent is an urban-scaled park, along with entertainment facilities, shops, restaurants and areas for events and exhibitions. The different levels form undulating terraces, with the uppermost terrace used as a popular water park.

The Concept

The building is Foster + Partners’ second in Astana, as the firm designed the iconic Palace of Peace in the city five years ago. Design director Nigel Dancey said that while the inspiration for the Palace of Peace was primarily its function as a religious building, the focus of Khan Shatyr is entertainment. “Their forms express the change of emphasis and function, from religion to entertainment, as you pass along this grand new boulevard,” he said.

The Details

Astana’s extreme climate was a significant challenge for the architects, given that temperatures can drop to -35 degrees Celsius in winter and climb as high as +35 degrees in summer. The three-layer ETFE envelope is designed to shelter the enclosed accommodation from weather extremes and to allow daylight to wash the interiors.

In winter, a key challenge is to prevent the formation of ice on the inside of the envelope. This is achieved by a combination of temperature control and directing warm air currents up the inner surface of the fabric. In summer, fritting on the outermost foil layer provides solar shading. Inside, low-level jets direct cool air across the space.