While we debate about how many libraries to close, others are building them

[SoCalDem]

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/7375/big-new-national-library-in-astana-kazakhstan.html

the new national library astana, kazakhstan by BIG architects
all images courtesy BIG architects

BIG architects were awarded first prize in an open international competition to design
kazakhstan’s new national library in astana, named after the firstpresident of the republic
of kazakhstan, nursultan nazarbayev, encompasses an estimated 33.000m2. the winning
proposal was chosen by the prime minister of kazakhstan k. masimov together with
astana’s akim i.tasmagambetov and a council of architects. the circular organisation
of the archive at its inner core combines the clarity of a linear organisation
with the convenience of an infinite loop.

'the design of the national library combines four universal archetypes across space
and time into a new national symbol: the circle, the rotunda, the arch and the yurt are
merged into the form of a moebius strip. the clarity of the circle, the courtyard of
the rotunda, the gateway of the arch and the soft silhouette of the yurt are combined
to create a new national monument appearing local and universal, contemporary and timeless,
unique and archetypal at the same time' - bjarke ingels

the library is conceived as a symbiosis of urbanity and nature. like astana, which
is located in the heart of the kazakh mainland, it will be integrated into the heart of
a re-created kazakh landscape. the park around the library is designed like a living
library of trees, plants, minerals and rocks allowing visitors to experience a cross section
of kazakhstan’s natural landscape.

[drmeow]

1. That is

one cool looking building!

[msongs]

2. what % of their population = poor, desperately poor, on the verge of starvation? nt

[SoCalDem]

3. It looks like they have some concrete plans, according to this UN report

http://webapps01.un.org/nvp/frontend!policy.action?id=882

snip

Over the past decade, gross domestic product has risen from US$ 22 to US$ 104.1 billion, and GDP per head of population has increased 4.6 times to US$ 6,700, on a par with the indicators of a number of States in Central and Eastern Europe.

According to the World Bank classification, Kazakhstan is among the group of countries at average income level. In 10 years the incomes of Kazakh citizens have risen 6.5 times, earnings have quintupled, pensions have quadrupled and targeted State social assistance has markedly increased. In recent years income inequality in the population has decreased, but this is still a problem and continuing effort is needed to reduce it further.

snip

..............................

they do have oil, so maybe they are in the upswing:)