A fast track to success

Astana Nurly Zhol Rail Station

Kazakhstan

Forming a key part of the infrastructure upgrade for Kazakhstan’s new capital city, Astana Rail Station provides a significant boost for the country’s economic growth and booming population.

The station is a mixed-use complex featuring an iconic terminal building, retail units, office space and car parking overall construction area of 210,000 m². The station will be showcased at the 2017 Expo, which is set to be hosted by the city.

Utilising our proven track record of delivering signature architecture in Astana, Buro Happold has been involved with the project from the outset. Seeking to bring sustainability to the forefront of the design, we developed a bespoke sustainability framework for the site. As well as having a focus on reducing dependence on natural resources, the framework also considers wider social and environmental issues such as mobility, biodiversity and ethical working conditions.

Focus on sustainable and energy efficient design

Project won an urban design award at the MIPIM Future Design Awards 2016

The station anticipates 38,000 commuters each day

Challenge

Seeking to bring sustainability to the forefront of the design, our team needed to develop a bespoke sustainability framework for the site. As well as having a focus on reducing dependence on natural resources, the framework also needed to consider the wider social and environmental aspects of sustainability such as mobility, biodiversity and ethical working conditions.

With an expected 36,000 people travelling through it per day, developing a strategy for the movement of people, vehicles and goods to and from the station was critical. Our Analytics team needed to work collaboratively with local city authorities to develop a future proof plan.  Briefed to build an overall picture of the people movement within the railway, we were tasked with integrating design and operational solutions to overcome potential congestion issues.

Security is also key in the development of the station design. With terrorism and other major crime a real concern in large, populated spaces, our team had to carefully consider the safety of the passengers and staff. As well as considering the safety of commuters, we also needed to ensure the space still delivered maximum comfort and journey experience.

Solution

Our team completed climate and facade studies to determine the most efficient fabric to minimise heat gain and loss. We also recommended glazing that reduces solar gain while allowing the structures to be flooded with natural light. By selecting the highest performing fabric we have reduced the capacity needed for the systems equipment, which in turn will lead to a reduction in energy consumption. Further adding value, our engineers applied practical building initiatives to deliver the stunning and intricate station roof, providing a cost effective construction that was delivered in a tight timeframe.

We provided pedestrian dynamic modelling in response to operational scenarios that have been established with Kazakh Rail Authority. Using bespoke modelling tools developed in-house, our team created animations and images to show the client how the station would work in action, including crucial times such as passengers boarding and disembarking trains, movement around shopping areas, onward transportation and emergency evacuation. The work of our engineers will ensure passenger comfort while achieving efficient movement within the rail station.

The security strategy for the project combines passenger comfort and optimal security to achieve the exacting requirements of Kazakh Rail Authority KTJ. We worked with the philosophy of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) to design a space that will provide a cost effective, robust defense against terrorism and other security threats without compromising passenger comfort. The resulting design consists of a number of security zones, ranging from publically accessible entrances and car parking to restricted workspaces and secure delivery areas.

Value

Buro Happold has worked closely with the architect, client and local planning authorities to ensure that Astana Rail Station will be an energy efficient, safe and comfortable facility for the thousands commuters and tourists who will travel through it every day.

Our work will ensure that this iconic station will successfully serve the people of Astana and visitors to the region for generations to come. A testament to the pioneering design implemented by the project team, Astana Rail Station won an urban award at the MIPIM Future Projects Awards 2016.