Palace of Peace and Reconciliation Astana, Kazakhstan

Extreme weather and climate conditions necessitated ground excavations to be carried out only between March and September, just three months after AMPC’s appointment.

Therefore, AMPC designed the concept and geometry for the 1500 seat auditorium form and stage and all the performance equipment with all the constraints of the pyramid structure in three months, liaising with the local Opera Company.

AMPC collaborated with Foster and Partners, London and Tabanlioglu Architects, Istanbul to develop the auditorium and stage design in detail.

The Opera house ceiling was particularly complex being also the floor of the inner pyramid, allowing daylight through, and acoustically isolating the two spaces.

The ceiling structure also incorporated the production lighting to the stage and supported the petal elements of the ceiling design.

AMPC worked with the architects in London and Istanbul, the main contractor in Turkey and Astana, and the stage engineering contractor in Hangzhou, China to deliver the building in time.

A fully operational theatre for an opening concert in front of a VIP audience was held on time meeting the building deadline in time for the send Congress in 2006.

The Opera House is a receiving venue for touring artists from European Opera houses and local Kazakh singers.

For its opening weekend performers came from Madrid and Milan, including Montserrat Caballe, and Roberto Alagna.