The global increase in oil prices is a good thing for the economy of post-soviet nation Azerbaijan (arguably, inflation and other repercussions of a swelling economy aren’t so good). And like other nations with a surplus of oil, such as United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, this wealth has and will be translated into futuristic and bizarre displays of modern architecture. Heerim Architects will provide Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, with two lunar-inspired skyscrapers – Hotel Full Moon and Hotel Crescent. Hotel Full Moon is essentially a disc with a whole in one of the top corners. This 35-story luxury hotel will stand at 150-metres high and contain 382 large rooms. Its design enables the building to look radically different from every angle. Hotel Crescent is the counterpoint to Hotel Full Moon. At the other end of Full Moon Bay, Hotel Crescent stands as a curving arch similar to Hotel Full Moon. Both hotels will front onto the Caspian Sea and are predicted to spur on another Dubai-like city. Heerim Architects only opened its office in Azerbaijan in July 2007 and have since secured two building projects that will change the face of one of the world’s fastest growing economies.The computer-generated images for both buildings are impressive. Their design, location and structure are unique. But what these buildings don’t display is the economic divide between residents in Azerbaijan, despite oil revenues flooding into the country.
At the same time I was researching the two lunar-inspired hotels, I came across this blog post ‘The Role of Microfinance in Azerbaijin’. It tells of what Kiva is doing to help rural communities and the 49% of people living below the poverty line in Azerbaijan. Not knowing anything about Azerbaijan, my first impressions were of a wealthy and oil rich country. But after reading the post on Kiva’s blog, there are clearly two sides to every tale.
That’s so interesting – thanks Lizzy! It’s amazing that there can be such disparity in one city and we don’t even realise it.