The Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and completed between 2007-2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan, features a fluid, curved architectural style and a total built area of 57,510 m2 at a cost of $250 million. Its innovative design integrates a combined structural system of reinforced concrete and a space frame, allowing for large column-free spaces and a smooth interaction between the exterior and interior. The building's sophisticated construction techniques and materials, including reinforced concrete and semi-reflective glass, contribute to its status as a modern architectural landmark.

1. Heydar Aliyev Center
By Zaha Hadid Architects
Prepared By: Sasan Safar
University of Duhok, Collage of Engineering, Architecture Dep.
2018-2019

2. Content
• Introduction
• Concept, Spaces
• Structural System
• Foundation System
• Material used
• Conclusion

3. Introduction
Architects: Zaha Hadid architects, Zaha Hadid,
Patrik Schumacher
Year of Construction: 2007-2012
Roof Height: 74 meters
Built Area: 57,510m2
Floors: 9
Loaction: Baku, Azerbaijan
Cost: $250 million US
The Heydar Aliyev Center, with 57,519 m2 built, is a
complex of buildings designed by British Iraqi
architect Zaha Hadid, noted for its architecture and fluid
curved style that avoids sharp angles.
The Heydar Aliyev Center, an internationally recognized
architectural work, has become a benchmark in the
modern Baku, due to its innovative and cutting edge
design.
- The building was nominated for the World Architecture
Festival and Inside Biennial Festival in 2013.

4. Concept, Space
• The structure accompanying Hadid variations within the unit.
• With a continuous self- processing design in all directions, there is little
sense of limits, and no indication of completion is an immersion in a
bath of space.
• The immateriality of a building varies between white, whiter and even
whiter depending on the incidence of the sun on their surfaces, give a
weightless character, releasing gravitational visitors obligations.
• As an object, the building is subjective, causing strong feelings
triggered by the suspension of physical gravity .
• An agile spatial structure of two layers, is the main support of the
double jacket which are smoothly curved along the top and bottom of
the outer casing, the structural frame and concealing emphasizing the
surface rather structure , as if the building was all effect and not cause.
Represents a fluid form that emerges by the folding of the
natural topography of the landscape and the wrapping of
individual functions within.
All features, together with the inputs are represented by
folds in one continuous outer surface.
• Fluidly connecting the various cultural spaces and at the
same time, provide each member of the Centre its own
identity and privacy.

5. Construction
Details
The building Structural System is combined System which
consists of two main systems that collaborate: concrete
structure combined with a system
of Space Frame.
Reinforced Concrete StructureSpace Frame System
Combined

6. Construction
Details
Space Frame
The space frame enables the construction of this free from
structure while offering significant savings in time thought-
out the construction process. The surface geometry driven
by the architecture, dictates the need to pursue
unconventional structural solutions; the introduction of
curved ‘Boot Columns’ to achieve the inverse peel of the
surface from the ground at the west, and the cantilever
beams ‘dovetails’ tapering towards the free end supporting
building envelop at the east. The substructure enables the
incorporation of a flexible relationship between the rigid
structural grid of the space frame and free-formed exterior
cladding seams which derive from complex geometry
rationalization, architectural aesthetics and usage.
Boot Columns
Boot ColumnsBoot Columns
Boot Columns

7. Construction
Details
Reinforced concrete System
Reinforced concrete is mainly used to
construct shear walls as the partition to
separate main spaces and to support the
spaceframe. It also used to construct the
footing of the building.
Reinforced Concrete Structure

8. Construction
Details
Spatial Nodes
Due to the large span of the space frame, it is connected to the reinforced concrete structure in addition to the
support of the columns and directly to the foundation, in order to maintain the stability of the structure as much as
possible. The method of maintaining stability is to extend the steel core beam from the reinforced concrete core tube,
fix the vertical steel member to the joist, and connect the space frame to the joist. As shown in the figure, the space
frame will be subjected to a large bending moment. In order to solve this problem and ensure structural stability, the
structural engineer will thicken the space grid here, from other parts of single layer into multi-layer, to provide
adequate bending resistance.

9. Construction
Details
Foundation
Two types of foundation systems have been used:
1.Concrete Raft Foundation
With thickness of 1m-3.1m
2.Concrete Piles:
As Earthquakes are one of the biggest threats to construction
in Baku, the building must be reinforced by massive 150ft long
concrete piles buried below the Earth’s surface to withstand
an earthquake measuring up to magnitude 7.0.
Interior Systems
Slabs: Rigid concrete system 12cm-
80cm
Hall Ceilings: Open web Trusses
1.5m-2.2m

10. Material and Skin
-Reinforced Concrete:
121,000 cubic meters
-Mold Steel
19,000 tons of mold steel
-Formwork
194,000 tons of form work
-Panels:
17,000 panels of reinforced polyester And
5,500 tons of structural steel to hold them
-Semi reflective glass for facade

11. Conclusion
The design of the Heydar Aliyev Center establishes a continuous, fluid relationship between its surrounding plaza
and the building’s interior. This was achieved by using an ingenious and elegant structure system, which has two
collaborating systems: a concrete structure combined with a space frame system. Because vertical structural
elements are absorbed by the envelope and curtain wall system, the large-scale column-free spaces can allow the
visitor to experience the fluidity of the interior.
Another important issue is the building’s skin. To make the surface so continuous that it appears homogenous, a
broad range of different functions, construction logics and technical systems were brought together and integrated
into the building’s envelope. It makes the building appear homogenous since different parts were covered and
connected.
From this case, by analyzing the structural system and its relation with the exterior skin, we have seen how the
structure design can better help the design concept come true.