The Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat

摘要

The building is a secular facility that establishes a formal and symbolic presence for His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims and his institutions in Canada. The vision of the Aga Khan is to connect the place symbolically to the Faith of Islam by creating a visual effect with a certain mystique around that of the wonders of rock crystal. A faceted atrium, designed as a glass dome with multiple planes and angles is set in constant motion as light moves around it. The interior is installed with a giant suspended asymmetrical canopy composed of triangulated glass fiber fabric panels as a means of providing shade while heightening the effects of light, refraction and reflection. As part of the ensemble, the four walls of the atrium are designed with suspended cast aluminum screens of geometric Islamic patterns. Through light and shadow that such layers percolate and diffuse, one is provided a sensation of the visual effects rock crystals emanate and its fascination.