Eric Owen Moss architects create a mixed use tower that neighbors the capitol building in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The republic square is part of a large-scale development across the city of Almaty. The tower itself is 126,000 square feet that will be divided up between retail, office, hotel and residential spaces.

‘Located directly adjacent to the former capitol building of The Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic Square project is the major component of large-scale, city-wide development.

At the ground floor, a new city plaza is created within a 38 meter diameter spiral. This enclosed plaza or ‘winter garden’ connects the former capitol site to the west with large scale retail and housing areas to the east. The spiral is structural and provides the major support system for the building above. As the building meets the spiral structure, the single building mass splits into five as it is inserted between the rings of the spiral. The five areas that are contained within the spiral become suspended public venues for entertainment, gathering, art, or any variety of currently unforeseen urban activities. Courtyards of varying sizes are located between each of these venues to bring natural light through the building and into the spiral plaza below. Each of the four courtyards are located and shaped based on the four seasons of the year.’

More pictures: www.ericowenmoss.com.