World-renowned Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki is to design a Muslim cultural centre and university on the 67-acre King’s Cross development for the Aga Khan.
The 84-year-old Pritzker prizewinner has been appointed to draw up plans for the two buildings by the Aga Khan Development Network, an 80,000-strong organisation headed by the leader of the world’s 15 million Ismaili Muslims.
The cultural centre of more than 100,000 square feet is likely to be built on a plot to the north of, and across an open square from, the University of the Arts. A university of similar size will be built on nearby land, currently reserved for offices. The two projects are among five, totalling half a million square feet, now being commissioned by the Network at King’s Cross.
Student accommodation, shops, and offices for the Aga Khan Foundation are being planned. The architects for these three projects have yet to be announced.
“We can confirm that preliminary design studies are under way,” said a spokesman, refusing to confirm the Maki commissions. “We will be moving towards formal appointments shortly.”
via Aga Khan has designs on King’s Cross – Business News – Business – Evening Standard.
http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/
Earlier related: Aga Khan Institute for King’s Cross – Property Week
Aga Khan to build cultural centre in London
Ismailimail 