Winter temperatures in Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan, are extremely frigid, averaging around negative 31 degrees Fahrenheit. But in summer, the mercury regularly soars to a sizzling 95 degrees. So when top British architect Norman Foster designed Astana’s newly-opened Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, he opted for a unique energy-efficient material that would accommodate both seasonal extremes.

The sculpted, teepee-shaped building features a “skin” composed of three layers of the transparent polymer ethylene tetraflouroethylene. ETFE is a “miracle” material because it is clear, so it can replace glass or plastic, but is also stretchable. Moreover, it’s light, just a fraction of the weight of glass, but so strong it can support 400 times its weight. It also lets in more light than glass or plastic and makes an excellent insulation material.

As Khan Shatyr demonstrates, the effect can be stunning: The building rises 495 feet into the sky, with tripod columns and a network of cables supporting the ETFE skin. Inside, 660,000 square feet of space is packed with shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and a water park. The outsized tent will surely become a favorite for locals, no matter the weather outside.

Filed under: Architectural, e-News, Environmental, Materials

Tags: Architectural, Environmental, Materials