Reimagining Baku with Nature and Innovation
Architecture studio ZHA has unveiled an ambitious masterplan for Baku Expo City in Azerbaijan, seamlessly integrating urban living with nature. The 198-hectare project features homes with green roofs surrounding the city’s expanded exhibition center.
A Diverse Urban Ecosystem
ZHA’s blueprint includes residences ranging from one-bedroom flats to spacious family homes. Civic institutions, cultural venues, and public parks enrich the area, alongside medical clinics and sports clubs. At the heart lies the new Baku Expo Center extension and Congress Hall, complemented by a hotel and public square.
Innovative and Resilient Architecture
The architectural renderings showcase white, stacked buildings in geometric forms, built to foster interconnected neighborhoods. These homes act as shields against Baku’s trademark winds — the Khazri in winter and Gilavar in summer — with designs aided by wind-comfort analysis to create sheltered public spaces.
Preserving and Enhancing the Natural Landscape
Nestled within an existing pine forest, the masterplan aims to preserve 80% of the 18,000 trees. The design incorporates forestry management to ensure the woodland’s maturation, while green roofs blend the architecture into the verdant landscape and support a rainwater collection system.
Explore how timber structures animate historic spaces for innovative architectural inspiration.
ZHA remarked on the sustainability goals: “The masterplan prioritises a sustainable, people-centred environment by integrating renewable solar and wind energy, passive design strategies, effective water management and low-carbon material choices.”
Dive into the use of nature-inspired analog designs that transform everyday objects.
Building the Future with Connectivity
Public transportation enhancements, including the upgraded Bakikhanov-Bina-Gala rail line, will link Baku Expo City with the city center and airport. ZHA’s previous works in Baku include the iconic Heydar Aliyev Centre, while the city’s airport was designed by Turkish studio Autoban.
Source: dezeen.com
Frequently asked questions
What does the Baku Expo City masterplan include?
The masterplan includes homes with green roofs surrounding the city’s expanded exhibition center, civic institutions, cultural venues, public parks, medical clinics, and sports clubs. It also features the new Baku Expo Center extension and Congress Hall, a hotel, and a public square.
How does the design address Baku’s climate?
The design includes white, stacked buildings in geometric forms that act as shields against Baku’s Khazri and Gilavar winds. Wind-comfort analysis was used to create sheltered public spaces.
What sustainability features are included in the project?
The project prioritizes sustainability by integrating renewable solar and wind energy, passive design strategies, effective water management, and low-carbon material choices. The design aims to preserve 80% of the existing trees and includes green roofs that support a rainwater collection system.