Architect Nurlan Kamitov explained how the project was created.
Today, developers want to build more than just residential complexes; they strive to create complex urban projects with comfortable spatial environments for city residents. Architects from INK Architects have proposed a design for such a center in Almaty – the 4YOU residential quarter.
BI Group holding tasked the architects with creating a residential district with essential public and cultural areas and highly developed infrastructure in one of Almaty's well-known districts. A large international team worked on the project. The design was developed by Ayenk, a Miami, Florida-based company, while the INK Architects team, led by founder Nurlan Kamitov, designed the conceptual design.
"Our goal was to develop a concept for a multifunctional residential quarter – comfortable, interesting, and aesthetically pleasing – where residents could fulfill their needs for work, housing, entertainment, relaxation, and socializing. The project had to meet the requirements of the area: fit into the existing architectural composition of the city and at the same time have its own distinctive “face,” says Nurlan Kamitov.
During the discussion, a team of local and international architects and designers proposed the 4YOU project—a self-sufficient community where the comfort, safety, and well-being of future residents are paramount. In addition to residential areas, the neighborhood will feature recreational areas, sports fields, and playgrounds. The heart of the neighborhood is a multi-level pedestrian alley. Therefore, to ensure residents' comfortable recreation, the architects devoted significant attention to planning the pedestrian and promenade areas, for which a unique landscape design was developed. The neighborhood will be complemented by coffee shops and restaurants, shops, entertainment centers, and educational facilities. These solutions will improve the neighborhood's infrastructure and increase property values, especially considering that Radostovtsa Street, adjacent to the residential complex, will one day become a picturesque pedestrian boulevard. Pedestrian boulevards such as those along Panfilova and Gagarina Streets have always been cozy corners of the city. Another significant factor is the neighborhood's location near one of the city's main thoroughfares, Al-Farabi Avenue, and close to two major shopping and entertainment centers.
"We believe the 4YOU complex will become a new landmark in the city, enhancing the prestige of this rapidly developing area and seamlessly integrating with Almaty's existing urban development hub. Modern urban planning principles require a comprehensive solution to the urbanization concept, particularly in the development of infrastructure and the construction of such multifunctional neighborhoods. The development of the neighborhood also meets the requirements for the uniform distribution of residents within the urban space, densifying parts of it that were previously single-story or low-rise," explained Nurlan Kamitov.
The aesthetics and style of the complex's architecture are based on the interpretation of legendary American cities like Chicago, with their varied scale and functionality, but complemented by a modern, geometric interpretation of classical architectural elements. The distinctive architectural design of the 4YOU complex is its contemporary approach to materiality, combining textures and colors. Typical of Chicago, but extremely rare in our region, the brick towers are intended to convey an image of business and cultural activity, respectability, and success. A sense of comfort and spaciousness is also created by a new approach to the landscaping and improvement of the block, seamlessly integrating it into the architectural and spatial composition of this area of the city.
"The concept of the 4YOU architectural complex project expresses the idea of actively engaging people in the modern urban world. Unlike its previous historical counterparts, however, it is convenient and comfortable and will contribute to improving people's quality of life. And with BI Group, a major construction holding company in Kazakhstan, developing the complex, I am confident that it will become part of the city's cultural and social life and another focal point for residents and visitors," noted Nurlan Kamitov.
Source: Forbes
