It’s one step closer to finding the best design for the International Specialized Exposition EXPO 2017 exhibition site in Astana, Kazakhstan—the country’s first world fair. For starters, some of the final designs include COOP HIMMELB(L)AU, UNStudio, Snøhetta, and Zaha Hadid Architects.
The competition initially received more than 100 proposals from 20 countries from February to July. Then on Aug. 14 at the Korme exhibition center in Astana, around 50 proposals were presented to a council of eminent architects and experts in sustainable design, including renowned economist Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation for Economic Trends, USA. The day before, the designs were presented to Kazakhstan president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. EXPO 2017 centralizes on the theme of “green economy”, which incorporates alternative energy sources and autonomous heat and water systems, as described by President Nazarbayev in a recent news post on the official EXPO 2017 website.
Other architects who presented were Manfredi Nicolletti, Russian firm Studio 44, and Turkish firm Sembol—who all have built structures and successful design experience in Kazakhstan. Several Kazakhstan-native firms presented as well.
The winner, who will receive an estimated $150,000, will be announced next month.
Ibrahim Abdelhady is an architect, academic, and media entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in architecture and digital publishing. He is the Founder and CEO of Arch2O.com, a leading platform in architectural media, renowned for showcasing innovative projects, student work, and critical discourse in design. Holding dual PhDs in Architecture, Dr. Abdelhady combines academic rigor with industry insight, shaping both future architects and architectural thought. He actively teaches, conducts research, and contributes to the global architecture community through his writing, lectures, and media ventures. His work bridges the gap between practice and academia, pushing the boundaries of how architecture is communicated in the digital age.