British designer Asif Khan has successfully transformed a Soviet-era cinema in Almaty, Kazakhstan, into the Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture, breathing new life into the historic 1964 concrete structure. The ambitious renovation project has created a modern cultural hub spanning 6,000 square meters, complete with galleries, workshops, office spaces, and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic city and mountain views.
The original building, completed in 1964, underwent extensive revitalization to serve as what Khan describes as "a new cultural landmark for Central Asia" and a platform for regional artists. The renovation process involved updating the modernist-style concrete frame while carefully removing piecemeal additions that had been made over the decades. Khan's approach focused on preserving the building's historic integrity while adapting it for contemporary cultural use.
One of the most striking features of the renovation is the building's new exterior, which features an undulating facade composed of steel fins and concrete panels designed to soften the original monumental Soviet form. Khan has incorporated what he calls a "cloudscape" embossed across the north and south facades, featuring symbols inspired by the work of Soviet artist Evgeny Sidorkin. This design element creates a dramatic visual impact while paying homage to the building's artistic heritage.
"Instead of an entrance, there is a cloud-like threshold, softening the rigidity and control of the Soviet concrete frame," Khan explained. He drew inspiration from his first visit to Almaty, recalling "the moment when I saw a cloud hovering over the steppe." The entrance now permanently holds this cloud concept "as an almost formless, dissolving threshold through which people enter," creating a welcoming transition from the urban environment to the cultural space within.
The ground floor has been completely reimagined as a unified level to create what Khan calls "a ground for public life." This required removing a set of steps at the building's front entrance to ensure accessibility. Inside, the space has been opened up through the strategic removal of columns and a mezzanine level that had previously been inserted into the original double-height foyer, creating a more spacious and flexible environment for cultural activities.
Wings flanking the central foyer have been added to accommodate various functions including galleries, offices, workshops, and a new street-facing cafe designed by local practice NAAW Studio. Below the main floor, a new basement level houses essential facilities including public restrooms, a cloakroom, and a quiet room, alongside necessary back-of-house operations. The rooftop restaurant serves as the building's crown, offering visitors spectacular views across Almaty and the surrounding mountainous landscape.
Khan has carefully preserved important decorative elements from the original building, including sgraffito artwork created by scratching hard surfaces, which was completed by Soviet artist Evgeny Sidorkin in 1964. The interior design incorporates a geological motif throughout, paying tribute to the Almaty region with features such as a limestone reception desk and earth-toned pigmented concrete in the foyer. This natural theme reflects the area's distinctive landscape and creates a cohesive design narrative.
The rear auditorium represents one of the project's most impressive achievements, with its original 18-meter-tall concrete walls and roof structure extensively strengthened and fully retained. Khan added a distinctive ribbon of steel and glass windows that wraps around the ground floor, designed to symbolize the ancient glacial rivers around Almaty. This feature not only brings natural light into the space but also provides multiple access points in and out of the building.
"A plan was developed to enable the auditorium's original walls and roof structure to be extensively strengthened and fully retained," Khan noted. "The transformation reveals the auditorium's true scale, stripped of its former seating and decoration." This approach allows visitors to experience the impressive architectural volume while understanding its historical significance and contemporary purpose.
The Tselinny Center of Contemporary Culture opened last month and represents a significant addition to Central Asia's cultural infrastructure. The project demonstrates how thoughtful renovation can honor historical architecture while creating spaces that serve contemporary cultural needs. The center is expected to become a vital platform for regional artists and a destination for cultural exchange in Kazakhstan and beyond.
