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The National Congress Hall, Astana, Kazakhstan

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The Congress Hall envelope details were designed to enhance the insulation value far beyond minimum code requirements. It is estimated that the Congress Hall performed 76% above a baseline building of its use and size. A big part of this is the use of windows only where they are necessary, and to enhance the user experience.

The 34% window-to-wall ratio allows excellent insulation performance. Solid portions of the walls have a U-value of .015 w/m2k. Windows are designed with triple glazing to have a values of .8 w/m2k for the system and .6 w/m2k for the argon-filled glass. The solar heat gain coefficient is .36, allowing for solar protected but relatively clear glass for maximum views out. The roof is also heavily insulated, with a value of .1 w/m2k.

The feature portion of the glass exterior wall consists of a sloped, triple-insulated, glazed cable net façade with one-way cable supported with panels of clear double insulated clear low-iron glass. Stainless steel cables & stainless-steel fittings and attachments are anchored to steel truss structure above and concrete structure below finish floor.

The solid portion of the exterior wall consists of a sloping zinc metal clad, honeycomb backed rainscreen panel system with concealed fasteners. Waterproofing and rigid insulation are installed behind cladding and supported directly by the secondary steel framing attached to primary structure.

Waterproofing and rigid insulation are installed behind cladding and supported directly by the secondary steel framing attached to primary structure. A majority of the roof surface was also designed to be covered with integrated photovoltaics to take advantage of the large exposed surface area. The design of the sloped, glazed skylight system also consists of laminated clear double-insulated low iron glazing with an integrated thin-film photo-voltaic layer. The mullions are aluminum supported by a painted, welded steel plate diagrid. The glass walls are typically sloped, triple-glazed insulated panels with clear low-iron glass.

Fact File :
Client: It Engeneering
Architect: AS+GG
Structural Consultant: STUDIO ALTIERI S.p.A (Italy)
Façade Consultant: AS+GG
Commencement Date: December 2013 (design process)
Completion Date: April 2015 (design process)
Area: 49,000 m2