In a New Light: Kazakhstan’s Evolving Relationship with Design and Atmosphere
For much of its recent history, Kazakhstan’s image has been shaped by the discourse of natural resource extraction — oil, gas, metals, the infrastructure to transport them, and the political influence they provide. But, a quiet transformation of its public and private spaces is underway, one not measured in barrels, commodity prices, or contracts, but by lighting or lights, which means ambience, illumination, aesthetics, and the atmosphere of lived space. Lighting, of all things, is central to human existence and part of its development story. It may seem peripheral, but in architecture, lighting is never neutral. It guides, reveals, softens, and dramatizes space. It also mirrors taste, cultural aspirations, and society’s choices. [caption id="attachment_34248" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Astana Opera; image: Dilyara Abdirakhmanova[/caption] Light is the Language of Architecture and Space Some of Kazakhstan’s most emblematic public buildings already utilize the optimal use of lighting. The Astana Opera, for example, with its marble staircases and opulent chandeliers, is illuminated to bring out its grandeur and high culture. Its stage is masterfully lit so that musicians are inspired to give their best performances. Likewise, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a crystalline pyramid designed by Foster + Partners, plays with transparency and glow, its stained-glass summit flickering between monument and mirage, giving voice to the need for peace in our time. Then there’s the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center — part shopping mall, part climate-controlled urban experiment — which glows at night through its tensile skin - representing a range of civic and family-friendly amenities offering a comfortable and eye-pleasing microclimate for all. And then there’s the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, designed and lit for reverence and reflection. Daylight barrels through high arches; at dusk, soft interior light catches the tracery of Quranic calligraphy, domes, and minarets. The lighting is generous but subtle, quiet, and precise. In each of these cases, light isn’t an afterthought. It reaches out to the subconscious and makes daily human activity more pleasant. [caption id="attachment_34249" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation; image: Foster + Partners[/caption] A Gap in Everyday Life Until recently, there has been little discussion in Central Asia about the link between lighting and its impact on the human person. Walking through many apartment buildings, offices, restaurants, and public lobbies, the atmosphere is flat, cold, and covered in uninspiring glare, often overpowering and at times blinding. These spaces may function, but they don’t resonate and are often uninviting. This state of affairs – the depressing nature of fluorescent grids – in the world of lighting is beginning to change, slowly, and unevenly. This shift towards ‘more welcoming’ lighting isn’t being driven by architects alone, or even by design schools. Demand comes from developers, hoteliers, homeowners, and restaurateurs who want to serve their clients better in an increasingly competitive environment. In this more mobile and inquisitive world, people want lighting that feels and works better for clients, employees, and oneself. A Market Beginning to Notice Enter enterprises like iSquare, a recently launched lighting design firm in Almaty. Its operating...
