Toronto Trio: A museum, Ismaili Centre, and islamic-inspired park are significant additions to the city that aim to facilitate mutual understanding and exchange between different communities and faiths.
By: Elsa Lam / Canadian Architect
While the Aga Khan’s development agencies often choose to work behind the scenes, their new Toronto projects are impossible to keep under wraps. Adjacent to the Don Valley Parkway’s Eglinton exit, two intriguing sculptural forms have been taking shape over the past four years. One, a stately glass pyramid, peaks just above its counterpart, an angular box punctuated by hexagonal skylights.
The permanent exhibition galleries occupy a double-height space on the main floor, while the temporary exhibition galleries take up the balcony level. Photo Tom Arban.
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Designed to appear fashioned from a single folded steel plate, a stair ascends to the upper lobby of the auditorium. Photo Tom Arban
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A view of the Museum’s courtyard, with patterns from the fritted glass projected onto the walls and main staircase. Photo Tom Arban
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The auditorium roof of the Aga Khan Museum rises at the end of an avenue of serviceberry trees. Photo Tom Arban
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From left to right, the Ismaili Centre, formal garden, and Aga Khan Museum occupy a site adjacent to the Don Valley Parkway. Photo Moez Visram/Imara Wynford Drive
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A skylit hall in the Ismaili Centre offers a generous space for intercommunity gatherings and events. Photo Gary Otte
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A 21-metre-wide faceted skylight tops the prayer hall in the Ismaili Centre, a space that will be reserved for Ismaili Muslims once completed. Photo Tom Arban
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A detail of the glazed roof assembly. Photo Tom Arban
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A detail of the steel screen that separates the Jamatkhana’s anteroom from the main space for spiritual reflection. Photo Tom Arban
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Honeycomb-shaped skylights are located above the main galleries in the Aga Khan Museum. The façade is made of white Brazilian granite and is detailed to produce crisp, clean-edged planes of light and shadow. Photo Tom Arban
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The site, located northeast of downtown in the multicultural Don Mills neighbourhood, is a singular locus of international architectural star power for the city. Indian Modernist Charles Correa designed the crystal-like building, the Ismaili Centre. Pritzker Prize-winner Fumihiko Maki created its companion structure, the Aga Khan Museum. Between and around the two flows a park inspired by Islamic gardens by Beirut-based landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. Local rm Moriyama & Teshima served the role of associate architect on the complex.
More at the source: http://www.canadianarchitect.com/news/toronto-trio/1003083632/?&type=Print%20Archives&er=NA
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