The Concept Requirements

To succeed with a development in this location we would need to demonstrate our sensitivity to the site, the cityscape and the regional culture. After a rigorous site analysis study and testing its conclusions, we were able to propose larger built volumes than expected adding greater value to our client.   

The Concept

Conceptually we wanted to make a statement with the development due to its prominent location.  Bold solutions were proposed that had a mix of both international design and regional flavour, both externally and internally.  In contrast to our neighbouring public buildings, we also wanted the building to be open and welcoming with its lobby being an extension to the public realm.  

By using the softer forms, we wanted to create a statement but also move away from the more traditional block-iness found in the hotel building typology.  In the same way we didn’t express every window to avoid a typical hotel approach and to disguise the number of floor levels we had in contrast with our much shorter neighbours.  The strong division between the lower volume on the street line and the recessed upper volumes was a reference to the congress hall and cinema parapet heights.  We also had to consider the fifth elevation, the roof elevation very carefully, it would be easily seen from the cable cars passing close by.  For this reason, we proposed that the roof top technical rooms are located within the architecturally wrapped forms and aren’t expressed separately. 

So even though the final design is unique it is very contextual with many aspects being a direct response to its surroundings.  If you look very closely you can see the Kazakh motifs embossed on the white cladding panels.  After many negotiations the city gave us permission to build.

A Unique Team

AD-Studio was appointed as the General Designer of the project and were asked to build an appropriately skilled multi-disciplinary design team.  The first task was to employ one of Europe’s leading seismic experts to provide the structural design but also help us challenge the ‘what we typically do’ attitude of most structural engineers in the region.  At the outset we knew we couldn’t follow the typical seismic process and had to demonstrate with expertise a better, more sustainable, cost-effective way to build the development. We engaged international MEP engineers and F&B designers to ensure we had a team familiar with international hotel operator standards.  In addition, we also incorporated the skills of cultural consultants to ensure any regional aspects were correct and appropriately used.  They would work on both the inside and outside of the hotel and made a valuable contribution.

The Technical Challenges – Seismic Design

Almaty is known for its very high seismic activity which makes building there harder than most places.  Local rules regulate how to design in seismic zones, and they are very restrictive. Our site had a considerable level change from rear to front which also affected not only the seismic issues but also the placement of the various operations within the hotel.  

Typically, buildings that are designed for highly seismic areas are symmetrical, have very few changes in plan from floor to floor and very heavy external walls – the Novotel has none of these, it is asymmetrical, has huge changes in planning between different levels and has a lightweight façade.  This is the reason the building is so different from most other hotels in the city.    Our seismic designer was able to challenge the standard seismic design wisdom and try other methods.  Using an active seismic modeling strategy (as opposed to a static model) we were able to demonstrate the building safety in an earthquake and design a much lighter structure with fewer solid walls. By utilizing far less material in the structure and fabric the building we substantially reduced the environmental impact and saved the client a great deal of money.