The Star of Freedom is a monument symbolizing the present and future of independent Azerbaijan. It was proposed to install it in the Upland Park, on one of the picturesque slopes of the so-called Baku amphitheater, from where a view of the entire city opens. Everyone who has been to Baku before 1991 is well aware of this place - it was there that the monument to S. M. Kirov was erected, which majestically gazed at the city. After the collapse of the USSR, the monument was destroyed, like almost all other monuments of the Soviet era, and the hill remained empty. And since in the urban planning sense it is one of the main points of attraction in central Baku, it is not surprising that it was here that it was decided to place the main symbol of the new era.
As a basis for the composition of the complex, the architects took the coat of arms of Azerbaijan, which depicts an eight-pointed star on a shield painted in the colors of the national flag - blue, red and green. The architects presented the eight-pointed star in the form of a three-dimensional structure based on the system of crossing rods by Vladimir Shukhov. A model of such a structure stands in front of the entrance to A. Asadov's studio - the architects first developed it a few years ago for the Shaman-City festival and then used this theme several times, in particular, in the project of a multifunctional complex for Moscow City. But, perhaps, the most correct application of such a structure is precisely a monument.
The star faces the sky and is raised above the ground, which turns it into a giant observation deck. A staircase consisting of eight flights leads to each of its rays, and the space between the plane of the observation deck and the steps is filled with glass. This creates the feeling that a star is growing into the slope with crystal blades intertwined with each other. Such a composition gives the whole structure incredible dynamism: it seems that the round dance of stairs is about to triumph over the law of attraction.
In the dark, the structure is transformed beyond recognition: each ray of the "star" lights up with its own color, and a certain ornament appears on its surface. The technology of media facades helps to achieve this effect: the complex is covered with a metal mesh with built-in LEDs.
The inner space of the complex is organized around a panoramic elevator shaft, piercing the "star" exactly in the center and leading to the observation deck. The site itself is a system of paths running along the perimeter of eight beams and around a central atrium with an elevator. In addition, the complex will house a two-level Museum of the Independence of Azerbaijan, and on the underground floor there will be souvenir shops and cafes for visitors.
The second object, designed by A. Asadov's workshop for Baku, is an indoor ski slope. It is assumed that it will become a training base for beginner skiers, of whom a lot will appear in Azerbaijan in the near future, since the country's first ski resort is being built not far from the capital.
The architects proposed two options for the descent. The first is a classic pipe, well known, for example, to the regulars of the sports complex "Snezhkom" in Krasnogorsk. The dimensions of the structure proposed in the project of A. Asadov's workshop for Baku are smaller than those of the Moscow region, but its shape is more complex. The main lift is supposed to be installed not on supports, but on a special platform, in which the architects will place the hotel for the guests of the resort. The entire building of the slope is closed on one side with a blank wall, and on the other, it is fully glazed and opens onto a spectacular mountain landscape.
The second version of the indoor ski slope was developed using a completely different design scheme. This is no longer just an inclined plane, under which additional functions are located, but a pipe closed by an angular rectangular ring. It is assumed that within such a structure, skiers will ride in a circle: a vertical lift will take visitors from the entrance to the highest point of the distance, from where they can go down the track with two sharp turns, and eventually return to the same lift. This type of ski "tube" is more compact than the usual one, and more efficient, because it does not require too long a section to create an extended artificial slope. In addition, the ascent here is three times shorter than the descent, which means much faster than usual. This project was recognized as the best according to the results of the internal competition of ideas held in the workshop of A. Asadov.
A. Asadov's workshop carried out both projects for Baku on its own initiative. Because of the economic crisis, architects now have less work than usual, they tend to use this pause to their advantage - for example, develop new experimental concepts. By the way, some of these projects, made on a voluntary basis, have already found their customers and are being implemented today. The architects hope that the buildings they have invented in Baku will be built.
