The "Palace of International Forums" at the heart of Uzbekistan´s capital city of Tashkent is to be a place of national and international contact as well as the country´s official representative building. This is where political and commercial conventions, conferences and cultural events will be held and where guests of state will be received. Therefore, design and implementation had to comply with the highest of expectations, and the short timeframe of only four months for building the complete complex proved an added challenge.

More than 5000 architects, project managers and skilled workers cooperated on this huge project. Among them was a Heikaus team of 60, working in two-shift operation for eight weeks. Based on the designs of renowned Ippolito Fleitz Group from Stuttgart, Heikaus Raumgestaltung performed the complete interior furnishing of the banquet hall.

The overwhelming impression of the room is achieved by using exquisite materials. The walls were covered in mother of pearl, stucco work and more than 1300 running meters of Swarovski wallpaper. The ebony parquet floor was enhanced with marquetry made of over 32 tons of Carrara Arabescato and Sivic marble for added effect. The unusual ceiling with its organic shapes emphasised by indirect lighting reinforces the height of the room and also serves to convey an impression of generous space. The dimensions are also reflected in the furnishings. The room remains spacious even with a total of eighteen round banquet tables, Walter-Knoll chairs in matching colours of brown-beige and a ten meters long, slightly bent "president´s table" put up.

The colour composition of white, black and crème, combined with fine ebony, makes for a very high-class effect. At the same time, the materials were chosen not only for their exclusiveness, but also according to functional aspects. For example, sound-control plaster was used to achieve perfect room acoustics.

The lighting concept offers some true highlights: Two opulent Swarovski crystal lamps, each consisting of 1600 separate stones with a diameter of 7 cm, break every ray of light and draw all looks. Effectively used indirect light emphasises the contours of the organic shapes and, at the same time, creates a festive and ceremonial atmosphere. Recessed lamps and some spots are placed in the ceiling construction to sparkle like stars in the sky.