Kazakhstan's Astana World Expo 2017 Competition Attracts Big International Names

It's one step closer to finding the best design for the International Specialized Exposition (EXPO) 2017 exhibition site in Astana, Kazakhstan—the country's first world fair. For starters, some of the final designs include COOP HIMMELB(L)AU, UNStudio, Snøhetta, and Zaha Hadid Architects.

The competition initially received more than 100 proposals from 20 countries from February to July. Then on Aug. 14 at the Korme exhibition center in Astana, around 50 proposals were presented to a council of eminent architects and experts in sustainable design, including renowned economist Jeremy Rifkin, president of the Foundation for Economic Trends, USA. The day before, the designs were presented to Kazakhstan president, Nursultan Nazarbayev. EXPO 2017 centralizes on the theme of "green economy", which incorporates alternative energy sources and autonomous heat and water systems, as described by President Nazarbayev in a recent news post on the official EXPO 2017 website.

Other architects who presented were Manfredi Nicolletti, Russian firm Studio 44, and Turkish firm Sembol—who all have built structures and successful design experience in Kazakhstan. Several Kazakhstan-native firms presented as well.

The winner, who will receive an estimated $150,000, will be announced next month.

Check out some of the competition entries below.

All photos courtesy of the official EXPO 2017 website. You can visit the site for more entries and competition details.