

Things are changing in Kazakhstan, and they're changing drastically. No, I'm not talking about social upheaval or a government coup, I'm talking about architecture in the Republic Square. Going away are the boring, cold Soviet-era buildings. Replacing them? Completely insane futuristic buildings. Awesome!
Yes, those images above are before and after pictures. Or, to be more accurate, they're before and soon-to-be pictures, with the bottom image being a render by LA architect Eric Owen Moss. How crazy a change is that? I love it. Maybe my next vacation will be to Kazakhstan.
Eric Owen Moss, via io9
By budgethero at 4:40 PM ON 11/06/08
go Kazakhastan! down with boring, cold buildings. time for buildings that take ur eyelids and pulls them wide open.
By stimuli at 10:53 PM ON 11/06/08
here is the rest of the competition (this is almost 2 years old now, btw) Zaha ended up winning it, with NBBJ coming in second. http://aesthetechtonik.com/2007/04/16/building-almaty-republic-square-competition/
By Dr. Steve at 12:16 AM ON 11/07/08
UM... I want a city I can be proud of. I want artistic buildings with useful designs that are about form AND function.
Not this. This is insane. In the worst way. Cold War Era buildings? Terrible. This? Just as bad, except it'll cost money to build, so I guess it's worse.
Sheep.
By Evertraveller at 5:49 AM ON 11/07/08
This project is on hold, will not be accomplished in the nearest future. And it's not replacing the existing building on 1st photo, it's nearby, across the street.
more info on: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=570680
By The Manta Dude at 6:59 AM ON 11/07/08
OUTRAGEOUS ! I see the good buildings beeing teared down all over the world while they leave the crap standing .
Didn't the war destroy enough of our history that we are now forced by the powerfull kapitalist to vieuw these horrible design exercises ?
ppl protect our herritage so that our children one day may learn about the blood sweat and tears it has cost our ancesters to build these great national symbols .
these imperial buildings were build to last like the old castles from mediaval times long ago , only when some are left we jump , it's just the same with the animal kingdom , once they fear to lose a species we try to interfere ...
build this shit in the desert where they belong , for tourists to see and not to be an eyesore for the locals .
By CoolProducts at 1:12 PM ON 11/07/08
I think it is a great way to breathe new life into a hibernating city. Of course, buildings are there for the people; the people should be consulted first before introducing anything radical. But if this is what they want, why not let them have it?
CoolProducts:
I think it is a great way to breathe new life into a hibernating city. Of course, buildings are there for the peopl...More »