Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

The Heydar Aliyev Center, an architectural pearl of Baku, designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, will take part in the World Architecture Festival to be held on October 2-4.

More than 300 projects from 50 countries in 29 categories will be represented at the architecture festival, which will take place in Singapore.

This is not the first time the success of modern architectural complexes of the Azerbaijani capital was internationally recognized. Modern Baku is becoming more famous in the world, confirming its reputation whereby antiquity and classical style are harmoniously combined with the latest architectural achievements.

Baku, the capital city of the 'Land of Fire', is routinely blasted by strong winds, seismic activity and is located near one of the world's largest and most coveted oil reserves. Over the past five years, Baku's skyline has been transformed from classical domes and ancient minarets to include futuristic skyscrapers, stadiums and sculptural buildings of the most innovative variety.

The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center has already been included in the list of the best architectural projects of 2012. Zaha Hadid's amazing curves are on full display in the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, a fluid form constructed of glass-reinforced concrete that emerges from the folds of the landscape's natural topography.

The Center was established on December 26, 2006.

All functions of the Center, including the entrances, are represented by folds in a single continuous surface. This fluid shape provides an opportunity to connect various cultural spaces while at the same time provide each element of the Center with its own identity and privacy. As it folds inside, the skin fades away to become an element of the interior landscape of the Center.

The Center houses a conference hall, a gallery 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 World Architecture Festival (WAF) is the world's largest festival and live awards competition dedicated to celebrating and sharing architectural excellence from across the globe.

The festival is organized by EMAP, a media group that also runs other festivals including the World Retail Congress and Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival, as well as publishes various journals including within the field of architecture, the Architectural Review and the Architects Journal.

Since the first WAF in 2008, over 8,000 architects have attended the Festival, from over 65 countries. WAF has seen over 100 award winners including Zaha Hadid Architects, Grafton Architects, Peter Rich Architects and Miralles Tagliabue EMBT.