River Palace
Structural engineering for a mixed-use building on the Ural River
ENGLOBE developed the complete structural design of a multifunctional building located in Atyrau, a strategic city in western Kazakhstan and the main industrial hub of the Caspian Sea region. The building stands in a privileged location directly overlooking the Ural River, within a context characterized by particularly challenging geotechnical conditions and high requirements in terms of strength, durability, and deformation control.
Foundations Designed for Challenging Soils and Shallow Groundwater
The site is located within the alluvial belt of the Ural River, characterized by:
- low-consistency silty and sandy soils;
- the presence of shallow groundwater;
- risk of differential settlement;
- high load variability due to the building’s mixed-use functions.
ENGLOBE designed a foundation system capable of ensuring stability even under critical environmental conditions, defining:
- deep or mixed foundation systems to control settlement;
- stiffened raft foundations and load-bearing shear walls capable of properly distributing loads;
- specific waterproofing and protection solutions against aggressive water and erosion phenomena;
- design criteria compliant with international standards and Kazakh regulations.
Design of the Above-Ground Structures
The building’s configuration required a load-bearing structure capable of responding to different functional needs, including retail spaces, offices, and residential areas.
ENGLOBE developed:
- three-dimensional modeling of the entire building to define structural loads;
- the design of reinforced concrete frames and shear walls to ensure high seismic performance;
- optimization of beams and floor slabs to provide flexible and easily reconfigurable interior spaces;
- structural solutions aimed at ensuring durability in a harsh continental climate, characterized by significant temperature variations.
The design objective was to combine structural robustness, construction efficiency, and the ability to integrate diverse uses within a single building.
Technical Coordination and Construction Support
ENGLOBE provided continuous support to the client during the construction phase, including:
- verification of concrete pours and reinforcement works;
- control of structural alignments;
- resolution of interferences with MEP systems and any existing works;
- design adjustments based on the actual soil response during excavation and foundation works.
Constant interaction with local contractors made it possible to maintain high quality standards in a complex logistical and environmental context.
A New Urban Landmark Overlooking the Ural River
Located in a strategic position along the river, the building contributes to the architectural renewal of Atyrau’s waterfront, in a rapidly expanding city driven by investments in the oil & gas sector and related services.
The multifunctional structure meets the needs of an international market, offering flexible spaces, construction robustness, and technical solutions suited to a highly complex geotechnical scenario.
PLACE
Atyrau (Kazakistan)
CLIENT
Private
WORK PERIOD
2006
ACTIVITY
Structural Design
TYPOLOGY
Infrastructure
INTENDED USE
Commercial
WORK AMOUNT
/
WORKING GROUP
Ing. Pietro Paci
Renco
