The shape of this particular building looks forward to become a symbol for the nation: "the circle, the rotunda, the arch and the yurt are merged into the form of a Moebius strip. The clarity of the circle, the courtyard of the rotunda, the gateway of the arch and the soft silhouette of the yurt are combined to create a new national monument appearing local and universal, contemporary and timeless, unique and archetypal at the same time." (Bjarke Ingels, BIG)
Since the fact that Astana is placed in a cold climate, there are some measures that the designer has to consider. First of all the surrounding and the orientation: solar access is important during the long, cold season when the sun is low. Glazed-over or covered urban spaces may be adequate, but risks of occasional overheating must be considered. Orientation for solar access is important, especially in the winter, in fact in this particular building the designer used double and triple glazing systems. Also materials are important, in particular it is fundamental to pay attention to the thermal insulation of the building in order to raise the temperature of inner surfaces for better indoor comfort, and to reduce the amount of energy used for heating.