Famous Architects Unveil Amazing Energy-Generating Buildings for the 2017 Astana World Expo!

The next <a href="http://www.expo2017astana.com/" target="_blank">World Expo in 2017</a> will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan - and leaders are already preparing for the global event by unveiling 46 designs for the site master plan by firms from around the world! The theme of the 2017 Expo is <a href="http://www.expo2017astana.com/en/page/energy/" target="_blank">'Future Energy'</a>, and the competing plans all revolve around the concepts of <a href="http://inhabitat.com/energy/">renewable energy</a>, sustainability and the green economy. Some world famous architects (including a few Inhabitat favorites) that made it into this round of the competition are <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/unstudio" target="_blank">UNStudio</a>, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/Safdie-Architects" target="_blank">Safdie Architects</a>, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/adrian-smith-gordon-gill/" target="_blank">Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill</a>, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/gmp-architekten/" target="_blank">GMP International Gmbh</a>, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/zaha-hadid-architects" target="_blank">Zaha Hadid Architects</a>; <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/coop-himmelblau/" target="_blank">Coop Himmelb(l)au</a>, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/j-mayer-h-architects/" target="_blank">J. Mayer H. Architects</a>, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/Snohetta" target="_blank">Snohetta</a>, and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/mecanoo/" target="_blank">Mecanoo</a> - check out our gallery for a look at their proposals!

World Expo 2017 entry by LLP 'Design Academy' Kazgor

World Expo 2017 entry by GMP International Gmbh

World Expo 2017 entry by Kokkugia

World Expo 2017 entry by Zaha Hadid Architects

World Expo 2017 entry by Gansam Architects &amp; Partners

<h3><a href="http://smithgill.com/" target="_blank">Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architects</a></h3> <a href="http://smithgill.com/">AS+GG</a>'s master plan focuses on the most efficient use of sunlight and how it can be converted in to energy. The pavilions are a modern interpretation of a yurt and are covered in photovoltaics. The overall layout creates a visual relationship between the axis of Nazarbayev University and a series of green spaces.

<h3><a href="http://www.coop-himmelblau.at/" target="_blank">Coop Himmelb(L)au</a></h3> <a href="http://www.coop-himmelblau.at/" target="_blank">Coop Himmelb(L)au</a>'s design incorporates a thrilling, yet serene monorail to provide efficient and low-carbon transportation around the expo site. Vertical axis wind turbines are integrated into the tops of towers, which are clad in a shield-like skin of photovoltaic panels.

<h3><a href="http://www.jmayerh.de/1-0-Architecture-Design-Research.html" target="_blank">J Mayer H</a></h3> The fun and organic master plan by <a href="http://www.jmayerh.de/1-0-Architecture-Design-Research.html" target="_blank">J. Mayer H</a> is inspired by cellular organisms. It consists of a series of national and thematic pavilions centered around the main expo pavilion in the center. Green roofs top the pavilions, while an artificial energy-generating cloud hovers over many of the areas to provide shade and generate power.

<h3><a href="http://www.mecanoo.nl/" target="_blank">Mecanoo</a></h3> At the heart of the expo site, <a href="http://www.mecanoo.nl/" target="_blank">Mecanoo</a> envisions a giant park and mountain covered with a living roof. Inside, one finds all the space and functionality needed for the project including a geodesic dome for the National Pavilion and an energy-generating tower. Mecanoo's design also calls for a transition into permanent usefulness for when the expo concludes.

<h3><a href="http://www.unstudio.com/" target="_blank">UNStudio</a></h3> <a href="http://www.unstudio.com/" target="_blank">UNStudio</a>'s design calls for a complex network of towers and green roofs. Park space dominates the expo site, which can evolve into a commercial district with the construction of office and residential towers once the project is complete. Floating wind turbines, tethered to the ground, work to generate energy for the site.

<h3><a href="http://www.msafdie.com/" target="_blank">Safdie Architects</a></h3> <a href="http://www.msafdie.com/" target="_blank">Moshe Safdie</a>'s extraordinary design features a large glass-domed center surrounded by a sinuous line of skyscrapers that radiate out from the core. Wind and solar power will be generated in abundance during the expo, and afterwards the project will be turned into a commercial district and shopping center. The main expo sites are contained indoors under glass greenhouse structures which are filled with plants and trees.