The Slovenian architecture practice Enota has won an international competition for the conceptual design of the Eastern Gate Polycenter District of Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The competition was organised by the Municipality of Almaty in collaboration with the international architectural platform SHARE Architects.

Almaty's strategic shift toward a polycentric urban development paradigm, as outlined in the Almaty 2040 Masterplan, reached a major milestone at the awards ceremony. Fifteen multinational architectural firms from North America, Asia, and Europe participated in the competition.

The international panel recognized Enota's winning concept for its creative and meticulously designed urban masterplan, which replaced a network of promenades and pedestrian arteries with unique spatial identities for a strict urban grid. The design offers a forward-thinking vision for Almaty's eastern gateway by establishing climate-responsive, landscape-integrated neighborhoods that prioritize walkability, adaptability, and long-term sustainability.

The project's strong urban logic, high degree of connection, and remarkably strong sustainability framework, according to the jury, make it stand out and closely align with Almaty's goal of fusing cutting-edge green technologies and modern urban living with its mountainous nature.

The winners for the Eastern Gate Polycenter competition are Enota (winner, Slovenia), LDA Design (mention, United Kingdom), and Studio Farris (mention, Belgium). 

Apart from winning the Eastern Gate Polycenter, Enota's proposal for the Western Gate Polycenter—the second site in the same international competition—was mentioned. The studio's ability to create unique yet conceptually cohesive urban strategies across several key city gateways is highlighted by this dual accolade.

Masterplan. Drawing © Enota

The winners for the Western Gate Polycenter are LDA Design (mention, United Kingdom), Next Office (mention, Iran),  Enota (mention, Slovenia).

Diagrams. Drawing © Enota

Enota completed a swimming pool complex on a sloping terrain in Češča vas, Novo mesto, Slovenia. In addition, the firm unveiled design for a hotel extension that features triangular timber elements, aiming to make the facade become the roof.

Slovenian architecture firm Enota was founded in 1998 by Dean Lah and Milan Tomac. The studio's projects are based on a collective approach for the development of architectural and urban solutions.

Project facts

Project name: Almaty Eastern Gate Polycenter

Architecture: Enota

Type: invited competition, first prize

Location: Almaty, Kazakhstan

Year: 2025

Status: in progress

Site: 1.800.000 m2

Client: Municipality of Almaty

Coordinate: 43°18'57.2"N 76°59'53.3"E

Project team: Dean Lah, Milan Tomac, Jurij Ličen, Nuša Završnik Šilec, Polona Ruparčič, Sara Mežik, Rasmus Skov, Furkan Sahin, Lea Ružič, Mima Suhadolc, Eva Tomac, Aljaž Gradišar, Maša Kovač Šmajdek, Ana Kosmina, Jure Kolenc.

All visualizations © Studio Spacer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

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