Astana City Library

Satbayev University

Idea projektu

Astana’s rapidly developing academic district lacks accessible public infrastructure that fosters informal education and everyday encounters with knowledge. While universities dominate the area, there are few places where learning can happen beyond institutional walls — slowly and freely. This project proposes a public library designed as a social condenser: a climate-conscious space that supports reading, reflection, and dialogue year-round.
Set within the extreme continental climate of northern Kazakhstan, the project explores how architecture can express sustainability not through hidden mechanical systems, but through legible form, spatial rhythm, and the sensory qualities of materials. The goal is to shift perception: to show that in cold, dry regions, warmth and openness can be architectural values — achieved through design rather than energy consumption.
The library is imagined as an inhabitable microclimate — a shelter from the wind, a source of soft light in winter darkness, and a garden of thought in a district dominated by hard surfaces and institutional buildings. Beyond storing books, it becomes a platform for public life, curiosity, and climate literacy — engaging not only the body, but also the mind and emotions of its visitors.

Popis projektu

The library is designed as an open civic landmark in Astana’s new academic zone, welcoming students, residents, and visitors alike. A curved volume opens toward the main street, inviting people inside while shielding the interior from harsh winds. The north-facing façade due to a slight turn ensures calm, even daylight for spaces. Public functions — co-working, snack bar, discussion spaces and exhibition corners — are concentrated on first floor. Educational spaces are on the second floor and library spaces are on the second and third.
At the core lies a central hall-atrium topped with a diffused glass roof, creating a light-filled communal space. The overall layout allows visual connections across floors and spaces, encouraging informal learning and interaction.
The building serves not only as a passive climate refuge but also as an educational tool in itself — demonstrating how architecture can respond to local environmental and social needs without over-relying on hidden technologies. Through carefully crafted spatial sequences, the library fosters slow thinking, discovery, and productive work.

Technické informace

The library is built with a partial steel frame and load-bearing exterior walls, combining efficiency with clarity of structural logic. Beams are placed at floor level, integrating with structural glazing that reduces visual clutter and maximizes transparency.
The curtain wall system uses energy-efficient triplex glazing with argon-filled cavities and Low-E + PVB films, enhancing thermal performance and daylighting. The stained glass has a light gray-blue tint and reflects up to 50% of solar radiation.
Exterior walls include ecowool insulation, natural stone cladding, and plasterboard interior finish — creating a breathable and low-impact envelope. Interior comfort is supported by passive ventilation and daylight use.
The structural grid is organized with 9×9 m column spacing, allowing for open-plan interiors. Each floor has a height of 4.5 meters, with beams 70 cm high.
The building is equipped with two staircases, one of which serves both as a main public route and a fire escape. It also includes two elevators: a public lift in the hall and a service lift in the storage.