A faceted glass dome peaks above the prayer hall of Toronto’s new Charles Correa-made Islamic cultural centre, which shares a patch of parkland with Fumihiko Maki’s Aga Khan Museum .

Ismaili Centre by Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects

Indian firm Charles Correa Associates designed the Ismaili Centre in partnership with local studio Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects to give a cultural centre for the Islamic neighborhood.

The building sits adjacent to the Aga Khan Museum – which Moriyama &amp Teshima also worked on – in a seven-hectare park designed by Lebanese landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic.

Ismaili Centre by Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects

The structure features curving stone walls and an angular translucent glass dome, and is approached by a gravel path that cuts by way of beds of purple-flowering plants.

Ismaili Centre by Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects

“The whole website is a harmonious union of the spiritual, artistic and natural worlds,” said Moriyama &amp Teshima in a statement.


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“The complicated is a symbolic marker of the long lasting presence of the Ismaili neighborhood in Canada, and an ambassadorial area intended to foster comprehending of pluralism.”

Ismaili Centre by Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects

Correa’s vision was for the constructing to respond to the traditions of Islamic architecture using contemporary forms and modern day resources.

In the prayer hall – which is set at 1 end of the centre behind a pool of water flanked by avenues of trees – this was accomplished by way of the creation of the crystalline roof dome.

Ismaili Centre by Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects

A strip of glass that runs up the centre of the roof is framed by a ladder-like arrangement of metal struts, while pieces of glass that total the dome on both side are fitted into faceted frames.

The panes of translucent glass diffuse the brilliant sunlight throughout the day, but permit the dome to glow like a beacon at evening when the room is illuminated from inside of.

Ismaili Centre by Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects

Subsequent to the prayer hall, an anteroom is sectioned off by metal grilles. Here, a folded ceiling with a star-shaped type surrounds a circular skylight.

Ismaili Centre by Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects

A flight of stairs to one side of the dome prospects up to a lobby by the building’s entrance. Within, tiled floors with geometric patterns are laid during.

White linear blocks sprawl out horizontally behind the domed framework, delivering extra congregating spaces, a library, classrooms and administrative offices.

Ismaili Centre by Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects

The Toronto Ismaili Centre was officially inaugurated on 12 September 2014, joining other folks situated in Lisbon, London, Dubai, Burnaby and Dushanbe. The overriding aim of the organisation is to safeguard the core values of the Ismaili Muslim local community.


Project credits:

Architects: Charles Correa, Moriyama &amp Teshima Architects
Interior design: Arriz + Co
Venture group: Ted Teshima, Daniel Teramura, Brian Rudy, George Meng, Po Ma, Allan Yee, Andrew Bernaus, Chris Ertsenian, Chris Yen, Elias Saoud, Gene Ascenzi, Gord Doherty, Janice Chan, Jay Patel, Jeff Frackowiak, John Blakey, Joni Inouye, Mahera Qurbani, Melana Janzen, Nancy Chao, Norman Jennings, Peter Bogaczewicz, Roy Gill, Scott Wiseman, Shawn Geddes

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