The development of Kazakhstani architecture is part of the country's recent history. It has been a rapid but challenging journey, thanks to fierce competition from both domestic and foreign companies offering simple, but not always aesthetically pleasing or high-quality solutions. Only the most persistent companies, after a period of struggle, undervalued work, and acquiescence to client wishes, can achieve recognition and develop their own distinctive style.

One such company is INK Architects, founded in 2004. The company's portfolio includes projects in both residential and commercial construction, public interior design, and, in particular, the interior architecture of the Hilton Astana, covering over 50,000 square meters, located within the EXPO Astana complex. The company has designed over 5 million square meters of residential and commercial space over the 14 years of its existence.

The company's architectural style is immediately apparent: in Astana, the company has designed the Aura Business Center, Sensata, BI City Seoul, Expo Boulevard, Ray Residence, Arnau Premium, Crocus City, and 5 Avenue residential complexes, as well as Central Avenue, Art Residence, and Gagarin Park in Almaty. Its founder, Nurlan Kamitov, admits that the key factors in the company's success today, especially in architectural design, are speed, quality, and aesthetics.

Quality in architecture is a crucial factor, not just in the direct quality of construction but also in the comfort of the environment—for living, working, or studying. This is where the value of a project comes from, depending on the philosophical concept expressed in the aesthetics of its form. It was the combination of these elements that allowed the architect to reach a new level: Nurlan Kamitov became the first in Kazakhstan to become an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

This organization's members include world-renowned architects such as Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Michael Hopkins, Nicholas Grimshaw, and Frank Lloyd Wright. The Royal Institute of British Architects has been operating in London since 1834, responsible for licensing leading architectural schools in the British Commonwealth. To become an Honorary Fellow of RIBA, one must have a solid portfolio of completed projects and a high standard of all design work. This title grants the right to be called an architect in the UK, meaning to practice in the UK, EU, and other markets. Other privileges include access to an internal information network with the latest developments in architecture technologies, various conferences, and the opportunity to exchange experiences with colleagues from around the world.

RIBA membership offers tremendous opportunities and advantages for promoting a company in the UK and global markets. It not only guarantees world-class quality but also provides the opportunity to work internationally, something the newly minted RIBA member plans to do in the near future: participate in international competitions and projects open only to a select group of architects. INK Architects is already working on projects in the US with American companies.

RIBA also organizes various competitions and awards the most outstanding international projects. Its most renowned awards are the British Stirling Prize for excellence in architecture and the architect's highest honor, the Royal Gold Medal. This premier British award is presented to an architect or group of architects for outstanding achievement and significant influence on the development of architecture. It has been awarded by RIBA for a century and a half, and is a dream for many professionals. It's quite possible that such an award will be Kamitov's next goal, as his work draws on international practice, placing particular emphasis on the aesthetics of form. In its projects, INK Architects departs from the conventional approach to understanding and interpreting public spaces, invariably using modern façade materials and interesting colors.

In summary, admission to RIBA membership is a high assessment of the work and proof of the level of Kazakhstani design, which is not inferior to the recognized global standard.

Source: Forbes