Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center, Entertainment center in Astana, Kazakhstan.
A translucent tent structure rises 150 meters (492 feet) above an elliptical base measuring 200 by 195 meters (656 by 640 feet). The building encloses retail shops, entertainment facilities and restaurants beneath a tensioned fabric facade that filters daylight while protecting against extreme outdoor temperatures.
President Nursultan Nazarbayev announced the project in December 2006. British architect Norman Foster designed the building, which opened to the public in 2010. Construction took place during a comprehensive program to modernize the capital following its relocation from Almaty in the late 1990s.
The name Khan Shatyr means "Khan among tents" in Kazakh, not "Tent of the Khan". The tent form recalls the yurts of the nomadic Kazakhs, while the interior reproduces a townscape with cobbled streets and a boating river. The complex opened on July 5, 2010, with a concert by Andrea Bocelli attended by several heads of state.
Climate control maintains interior temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 30 degrees Celsius) regardless of outside conditions ranging from minus 31 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 35 to 35 degrees Celsius). Multiple bus routes connect the complex to other city districts. Visitors should expect larger crowds during Kazakh holidays.
An indoor beach resort uses real sand imported from the Maldives, creating a tropical environment during harsh winters from November through March. Artificial palm trees and tropical plants complement the setup, while wave pools and water slides operate throughout the year regardless of outdoor weather conditions.
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