Big Serve Up Kazak National Library

Big Serve Up Kazak National Library

Adding to the modern architectural wonders proposed in Astana is this new national library to serve the republic of Kazakhstan that's been designed by architectural firm Big.

In an open competition Big beat off of some big names including Foster and Partners, and Zaha Hadid to secure their commission.

It's notable for a structure that has been likened by the architect to a mobius strip that interweaves and wraps around the structure of the 33,000 square metre building like a series of metallic threads viewed through a microscope which at night will leak light from gaps between them giving it an illuminated texture.

The mobius strip hosts many of the libraries functions, but these have been arranged in a complex manner that is both horizontal and vertical stacking them diagonally, something that the cladding clearly expresses through it's diagonal rhythm.

Following the looping façade is the internal layout of the building that is designed in a circular manner with a central courtyard open to the elements like the eye of the storm, with the library wrapping around it again with the thread-like façade. Meanwhile the outer edge of the inside of the structure should afford viewers a 360 view of the capital, Astana.

Plans for the National Library are just the latest of a stream of major cultural buildings that are proposed for the republic - the most notable of these is the gigantic circus tent styled Khan Shatyr designed by Foster and Partners in Almaty.

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