Ismaili Centre, Toronto
43°43′27″N 79°20′01″W / 43.724112°N 79.333538°W
| The Ismaili Centre, Toronto | |
|---|---|
 The glass roof of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto's distinctive prayer hall. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Nizari Ismaili Muslim |
| Leadership | His Highness the Aga Khan |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Charles Correa Associates |
| Type | Jamatkhana |
| Groundbreaking | May 28, 2010 |
| Completed | 2014 |
| Website | |
| http://www.theismaili.org/ismailicentre/toronto | |
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto is the sixth such Ismaili Centre in the world. Situated in a park that it shares with the Aga Khan Museum adjacent to the Don Valley Parkway in Toronto, the Centre represents the permanent presence of the Ismaili Muslim community in Toronto and Canada. The building was opened by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and His Highness the Aga Khan on September 12, 2014.[1]
Construction and development
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto is situated along Wynford Drive in Toronto’s Don Mills neighbourhood.[2] It is visible from the adjacent Don Valley Parkway,[3] and shares a 6.8 hectare site with the Aga Khan Museum.[2] Both buildings will be surrounded by a landscaped park.[3]
Formally announced in 2002,[4] the Ismaili Centre had its foundation ceremony on May 28, 2010. The ceremony was performed by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and His Highness the Aga Khan, together with the foundation of the Aga Khan Museum and their shared park.[5] Construction of the $300 million development finished in 2014, and represents a significant addition and shift in the landscape of Toronto’s cultural institutions.[5]
Architecture
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto was designed by Indian architectural firm Charles Correa Associates in collaboration with Toronto-based Moriyama & Teshima Architects.[6] Correa sought to create a building that responds to the traditions of Islamic architecture in a contemporary way using modern materials.
A distinguishing feature of the building is the glass roof of the prayer hall, which recalls the corbelling in many of the traditional domes in the Muslim world.[6] The glass dome, which represented a difficult technical challenge, is made of two layers of high-performance glass, and fritted to deflect the heat of the sun.[7] A clear sliver of glass facing east toward Mecca will run down the translucent roof.[7]
The Park
The Ismaili Centre is set in a landscaped park, composed of both formal and informal gardens. Designed by Lebanese landscape-architect Vladimir Djurovic, the park connects the Centre with the adjacent Aga Khan Museum.[6] Djurovic described his vision for the park as one that “captures the essence of the Islamic garden and translates it into an expression that reflects its context and contemporary age.”[6]
The park incorporates a char bagh formal garden that will feature mirror-like reflecting pools.[6] Designed to suit the climate of Toronto, the gardens capture the beauty of the four seasons.[2] The park also provides space for educational programming, outdoor gatherings, as well as offering areas for tranquillity and relaxation.[6]
References
- ^ "Opening of the Ismaili Centre, Toronto". Retrieved 2015-02-06.
- ^ a b c "Mawlana Hazar Imam is awarded Honorary Canadian Citizenship as he is joined by Prime Minister for Foundation Ceremony in Toronto". TheIsmaili.org. 28 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
- ^ a b Tamizan Esmail and Nikhat Ahmed (26 May 2010). "New chapter in Canadian Ismaili story set to unfold in the Don Mills neighbourhood of Toronto". TheIsmaili.org. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ http://www.akdn.org/press_release/551/Aga-Khan-to-Establish-Major-Academic-and-Cultural-Center-and-Museum-in-Canada
- ^ a b Christopher Hume (28 May 2010). "Complex backed by Aga Khan will bring new life to urban neighbourhoods". Toronto Star.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ismaili Centre, Toronto Project Brief" (pdf). Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ a b Lisa Rochon (27 May 2010). "Complex backed by Aga Khan will bring new life to urban neighbourhoods". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
External links
- "The Ismaili Centre, Toronto". Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- "Official site of the Ismaili Centres". Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- Aga Khan Museum Added December 28, 2012
- Ismaili Centre Toronto - Moriyama & Teshima architects Added December 28, 2012