ASTANA TRAIN STATION

The spatial development patterns of city regions is shaped by the need for central locations of global cities whereas industrial production capacities, wholesale supplies, and customer services spread out the peripheries, as well as various residential zones. Not only for easy accessibility but also to satisfy the need for face-to-face interactions, have the communicative transport hubs become the iconic meeting places of our era.

The contemporary transit hubs are central passages as they are places for people to spend time besides their travel purposes. Transit investments should be made to shape balanced mixed-use development extending along radial corridors; located on the axial ceremonial route from the Presidential Palace, the new train station promotes a positive change starting from the close vicinity as the synergetic effects of transportation investments are highly upgrading for the regions that become a part of the network. In parallel to spatial considerations, the attractiveness of the transfer point extends to a larger environment. The public realm, because of its anticipated intensive usage, is highly legible, robust and sustainable.

Apart from its functional features, the Astana Train Station is designed specifically for Astana City to be a symbolic building that reflects the modern and contemporary aspects of the new capital of Kazakhstan. Emerging from the vast landscape of Astana, located on the main axis, it connects the city to the other cities of Kazakhstan, and creates a symbolic link between people and country.

The design introduces innovative solutions adopting high technology principles for operational management, interaction with the environment and especially with harsh climatic conditions of the geography.

Articulating the urban space, the structure of the roof is considered as a major element in building the space. The monolithic roof system is an integral part of the structure of the station. The main bearing construction of the light-weight roof is steel; the design refined to optimize strength and stiffness, and provides an economical yet durable configuration with good resistance against weather conditions. Three continuous plates are running from one end to other as wavy lines, with intervals between them. The openings are glass covered only above the main station building, Cantilevered roof structure create a spectacular effect while granting a long protective, but still open-air waiting zone, extending to both ends.

The curved form peaked over the main the area provides eligible conditions for the travellers while waiting for their train. Visitors enter a high atrium surrounded with 3 terraced floors housing security points, ticket offices, leisure areas, food courts, duty free shops and office units. The building is accessible by car, to the drop off in the very middle, at the platform level and by the pedestrians.

The multi-layered center provides easy access during transfers especially when exchanging from one system to other. The underground passage enables smooth access to the metro station. Above the link, there is an urban park.

The train station is conceived as the continuity of the railway which makes a distinctive impression; it will constitute a charming urban landscape and become a new scene in Astana’s nature and contemporary architecture.