Kazakhstan is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and this translates into a wide range of fields, including architecture. In Astana, the young capital of the former Soviet republic in Central Asia, modern buildings rise to the sky in various futuristic designs and shapes. But since vision keeps the pace with the economy, the Kazakh architects has come up a new proposal which, if implemented, would mark a world premiere: the project would be the world\u2019s first residential building that doubles as an outdoor ski slope.<\/p>\n
The 70 million USD project was unveiled by the architecture firm Shokhan Mataibekov Architects and bears a name which reflects its very practical purpose \u2013 the Slalom House. The construction is a modern residential bulding featuring 21 stories mounted with an artificial ski slope that wraps around the rooftop in a U-shaped formation. Despite cold winters testing the Kazakh capital, Astana\u2019s inhabitans have very few places where ski and snowboard enthusiasts can practice their skills while the closest ski slopes are located a four-hour drive away.<\/p>\n