CULTURE
Symbol of modern Baku “Flame Towers” gets international award
Baku, April 29 (AZERTAC). The symbol of modern Baku, “Flame Towers” residential complex, has received an international award. The complex has won "The best hotel and tourist center” nomination of MIPIM 2013, the largest investment exhibition of innovative projects in the European real estate market. Flame Towers is a residential complex with a roof height of 190 m (620 ft) in Baku. The structure is one of the tallest buildings in Baku. The facades of the three Flame Towers are turned into gigantic display screens with the use of more than 10,000 high-power LED luminaires, supplied by the Osram subsidiary Traxon Technologies.
According to a poll of skyscrapercity.com, an influential urbanistic forum, the Illumination of Flame Towers designed by HOK was acknowledged as the best in the world. The Flame Towers are completely covered with the LED screens that display the movement of a fire visible from the farthest points of the city. This illumination creates the effect of giants torches emphasizing the main idea of Flame Towers incorporated in their name.
Another beautiful building of modern Baku is Heydar Aliyev Center. The complex is designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. The Center houses a conference hall (auditorium), a gallery hall and a museum. The project is intended to play an integral role in the intellectual life of the city. Located close to the city center, the facility plays a pivotal role in the redevelopment of Baku.
The Heydar Aliyev Center represents a fluid form which emerges by the folding of the landscape’s natural topography and by the wrapping of individual functions of the Center. All functions of the Center, together with entrances, are represented by folds in a single continuous surface. This fluid form gives an opportunity to connect the various cultural spaces whilst, at the same time, providing each element of the Center with its own identity and privacy. As it folds inside, the skin erodes away to become an element of the interior landscape of the Center.
One of the internationally recognized architectural works, the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center has become a signature landmark of modern Baku due to its innovative and cutting-edge design.
Another major project is the Baku White City project developed by the order of the Executive Authorities of Baku City, and designed to create the new and modern centre of the capital city.
The Baku White City master plan envisages the creation of 10 universal urban districts with each of them to offer its residents the best living, working, recreation and entertainment conditions. In accordance with the order of the Executive Administration of Baku City it is planned to rearrange and expand the Boulevard, the gem of Baku that is situated right in the centre of the Baku Bay. The Oilers’ Avenue, one of the most favorite streets of the people of Baku that runs along the Boulevard will be made longer as well.
The modern centre of Baku will be different, thanks also to the new city transportation system. For instance, it is planned to build a new Underground station that will give access right to the central square of Baku White City; it is also in the plan to expand the bus route grid and to run a tram line along the whole coast. Also along the Boulevard should run the all-new water transport line.
The creation of a new and modern city centre in the capital will provide added opportunities to attract local and overseas investments. The future investors have special privileges kept in stock for them as an incentive.