Design unveiled for BION, a new walkable design district in Almaty
Located off the Al-Farabi Road in the south of Almaty, Kazakhstan, BION is a mixed-use development with green coverage across more than one-third of the site. The area is distinctive due to its setting in the foothills of the Tian Shan mountain range. City-wide height constraints preserve the connection to nature, meaning the development benefits from uninterrupted views of the undulating mountainous terrain. A spiral circulation route in a vibrant central plaza underpins the design of the mixed-use development. The dynamic landscape rises throughout the centre of the site, connecting event, leisure and retail sunken plazas to the A+ office spaces within 180,825 m².
The continuous spiral form symbolises growth, fluidity and connectivity, evolving into a dynamic circulation system that anchors the retail experience at the centre of the development. There are no dead ends in retail hub’s pedestrian flow; instead, its continuous loop design ensures intuitive navigation and footfall as well as maximum store visibility, supporting both the local economy and retail success. Sits like a crown above the retail hub is a contemporary geogrid structure supported by expressive columns at nodal points, inspired by the Shanyrak, the traditional circular crown of a Kazakh yurt and a powerful symbol of home, unity and heritage.
The overall project is intended to reflect the peaks and troughs of the mountain range that overlook it: daylight streams into lower levels of the buildings due to cut-out light wells from above and the rooftop public realm offers panoramic views, similar to standing atop a mountaintop peak.
Over twenty-six different façade typologies are visible across the project, giving BION a distinctive yet cohesive outward appearance. Limestone cladding presents a contemporary and classic material for the development and provides solidity reminiscent of the mass visible in the distant mountains. Biodiversity is enhanced through the use of local planting throughout the development. The various public and private roof gardens increase green coverage to over one-third of the total area on site, and the public plazas are designed to showcase public artwork by Kazakh and British artists. Benoy delivered pre-concept and concept stages.
James Bishop, Associate Director, Architecture, Benoy, said: “BION showcases a wealth of innovative approaches to retail placemaking integrating office and leisure facilities within the context of a landscaped public realm. Key spatial interventions, such as the sunken plazas, spiral circulation and strong boulevards create seamless connections between the event, leisure and retail zones, enriching the user experience. Pedestrians are guided gently upwards towards the mountains as they ascend to the leisure plaza. The site is notable for the diversity of its offer: people can work, shop and relax within a concentrated area with strong transport connectivity and experiential design, strengthening the project’s contribution to Almaty.”
Rasul Mustafin, CEO of BI Development South, said: “BION is set to become a new focal point on Almaty’s urban map, a destination not only for the local business community and city residents, but also for visitors and investors from around the world. It will offer a complete environment for everyday work, meetings and exchange. The development is expected to accommodate around 12,000 people, establishing a new hub of business activity in Almaty.”
