This is a place of pure improvisation, in the spirit of Gaudí and Hundertwasser, but infused with a distinctive local Kazakh character.
In 2006, the Akanaev family—renowned Kazakh artists—purchased a plot of land and built what they called the “House of Arts.”
It all began with a “project drawing” literally sketched on the ground—Botagoz herself marked the outline of the house on the bare earth using an ordinary stick.
The entire family, along with close friends and loved ones, participated in the construction. The main requirements were: vast open spaces with high ceilings and large interior rooms, free of partitions, inner walls, or divisions. From the beginning, the ground floor was intended to be an exhibition space for showcasing artwork and other creative works, while the basement was planned as a storage area for the raw materials used in future paintings.
The third floor is residential and serves as a fully functioning studio where Mukhit Dulu lives and works.
The house’s finishes—tiles and mosaics, sculptural elements, landscaping, and design solutions—were all the result of spontaneous artistic improvisation. This approach became the key to the home’s unique, recognizable appearance. The artists used nine tons of broken ceramic tiles, and the house was built as if it were a painting coming to life. Despite its artistic freedom, all construction adhered strictly to building codes and regulations.
This style—placing available materials on a solid foundation and arranging them into a visually rich and artistic composition—defines the Akanaev family’s creative signature. The result is a “jewel,” crafted from the unexpected.
Today, the home-studio is a branch of the Academy of Arts of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The house has already gained a rich history—it has hosted many notable visitors, including actors, musicians, artists from other cities and countries, and regional governors (akims). Over the years, the Akanaevs’ home has welcomed art schools from across Kazakhstan and regularly hosts masterclasses and plein air sessions.
