Terminal station: Astana’s largest infrastructure project is underway

In the pipeline since 2013, the brand new Astana train station is one of the Kazakhstan capital's key infrastructure projects – combining a variety of rail links, public areas, pedestrian passages and an urban park.
The brainchild of Turkish firm Tabanlioğlu – the architects behind more major works, such as the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul – the complex sits on the traditional ceremonial route from the Presidential Palace.
Its striking monolithic roof defines the design. Made out of lightweight steel, the roof was crafted to optimise 'strength and stiffness', explain the architects, providing 'an economical yet durable configuration', responding to the region's climatic requirements.
The distinct roof structure also hints to what happens below, its linear profile aligned to the direction of the tracks. Cantilevering out from both ends of the station, this surface also creates a spectacular shelter from the elements for the station's users. By keeping this an open-air area, the architects aim to link the station to the street life and urban fabric beyond.
Heralding a new era in the region's transport and infrastructure system, its completion – currently estimated for 2017 – will be an important one for the country.
Currently on site, the station has already received its first, prestigious win, scooping one of the AR MIPIM Future Project Awards at the Cannes fair.
The project's most defining design feature is its long roof made of lightweight steel
The roof cantilevers out to create sheltered areas that protect visitors from elements
The station complex will include several rail links, pedestrian passages and an urban park
INFORMATION
For more information on Tabanlioglu visit the
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Highlights from the transporting Cruise 2026 shows
The Cruise 2026 season began yesterday with a Chanel show at Lake Como, heralding the start of a series of jet-setting, destination runway shows from fashion’s biggest houses
-
Behind the design of national pavilions in Venice: three studios to know
Designing the British, Swiss and Mexican national pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 are three outstanding studios to know before you go
-
Premium patisserie Naya is Mayfair’s latest sweet spot
Heritage meets opulence at Naya bakery in Mayfair, London. With interiors by India Hicks and Anna Goulandris, the patisserie looks good enough to eat
-
A contemporary Istanbul mosque offers a take on tradition
Turkey's Degostudio crafts this Istanbul mosque as a new, functional space for worship with accessible facilities
-
Istanbul Modern: where art and the Bosporus meet
Istanbul Modern by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the Turkish capital's newest cultural draw, throws open its doors
-
Tabanlioglu Architects reveal works at the Beyazit Public Library in Istanbul
-
The Morning Line sonic temple, Istanbul
-
London_Istanbul at the Architecture Foundation