Museum and Site
“Together, these three projects will symbolise the harmonious integration of the spiritual, the artistic and the natural worlds, in keeping with the holistic ideal which is an intimate part of Islamic tradition…at the same time they will also express a profound commitment to inter-cultural engagement, and international cooperation.”
— His Highness the Aga Khan
Aga Khan Museum
In designing the Aga Khan Museum, Fumihiko Maki, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, used light as his inspiration. He ensured not only that light is ever-present in the building, but that, depending on the time of day or season, light will animate the building in myriad ways: throwing patterns on the exterior walls of Brazilian granite, enhancing interior spaces, or illuminating the open-roofed courtyard. The building’s compact footprint — 81 metres long and 54 metres wide — contains an impressive variety of spaces, including two exhibition galleries, areas for art conservation and storage, the 350-seat Nanji Family Foundation Auditorium, and two classrooms. Within an unmistakably contemporary design, Maki incorporates historical elements originating in Islamic cultures, building bridges between eras as well as civilizations.
Aga Khan Park
The Aga Khan Park is a paradox to Toronto’s hustling metropolitan centre. It covers 17 acres of land while connecting two majestic buildings through a pathway of green spaces, gardens and water features. It brings tranquility to a large city, and offers a place of respite from the activities of modern life. Together with Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre Toronto, the Park is where nature, art and spirit culminate as one.
A central feature of the Park is the Persian and Mughal inspired garden, known as chahar bagh (four-part garden). Designed by the Lebanon-based architect, Vladmir Djurovic, the formal gardens sit within a natural geometry created by the careful placement of trees and water features. The Aga Khan Park connects the Ismaili Centre,Toronto with the Aga Khan Museum. It provides a place equally suited for tranquil reflection and dynamic programming and is open daily from dawn until 10 pm.
Guided tours of the Aga Khan Park are available. Find out more and how to book here.
Ismaili Centre, Toronto
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto was opened in 2014 and is the 6th Ismaili Centre in a global network of Centres in Vancouver, London, Lisbon, Dubai and Dushanbe located in Tajikistan in Central Asia. These Ismaili Centres are ambassadorial buildings that represent the core values, ethics and cultural heritage of Ismaili Muslim communities around the world. They are intended to be bridges of friendship and understanding, and serve to enhance relationships among faith communities, government and civil society. The Ismaili Centre includes a place of prayer (Jamatkhana) for the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim community as well as spaces for social, educational and cultural activities.
