The world's largest tensile structure, the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, opened in Kazakhstan earlier this month. But no ordinary tent is this. The visually striking building, designed by Foster + Partners, has cinemas, shopping, restaurants, venues, and a water park within. It also has loads of green features.
The building is covered with three layers of ETFE fabric, which allows light to enter the structure, offering great natural lighting for plants and living systems. Designed as a place for Kazakhs to escape the brutally hot summers and cold winters, the Khan Shatyr integrates efficient green building techniques to control temperature. And the structure is equipped with a lighting system that gives it an almost supernatural vibe at night.
No ordinary tent, indeed.
- Mitchell Flexo
(Via Inhabitat)