The Aga Khan Museum fosters knowledge and understanding of Islamic civilization through cultural programming and an extraordinary collection of Islamic arts and artifacts, drawn from the collections of His Highness the Aga Khan, Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan and the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London. To quote his highness: ‘One of the lessons we have learned in recent years is that the world of Islam and the Western world need to work together much more effectively at building mutual understanding— especially as these cultures interact and intermingle more actively. We hope that this museum will contribute to a better understanding of the peoples of Islam in all of their religious, ethnic, linguistic and social diversity.’ This project does just that. The first of its kind in North America, the Aga Khan Museum offers visitors a window into worlds unknown or unfamiliar: the artistic, intellectual, and scientific heritage of Muslim civilizations across the centuries from the Iberian Peninsula to China. The architectural expression draws inspiration from the most basic, universal source: LIGHT. The building acts as a vessel that is both animated and sculpted by light in myriad ways: casting patterns on the exterior granite walls, enhancing interior spaces, or illuminating the open-roofed courtyard. From the outside, the museum is a deceptively simple, cleanlined rectangular volume executed with exquisite precision and restraint. The exterior walls angle inward along a horizontal reveal; this slightly pinched-waist profile visually breaks up the mass of the building and creates subtle shadows upon the white Brazilian granite cladding. Rows of honeycomb-shaped apertures admit carefully modulated light into the upper galleries.
Inside, expansive temporary and permanent galleries display treasures drawn from the world’s great collections of Islamic art and artifacts. The museum contains two large exhibition galleries, art conservation and storage spaces, and classrooms. Performances and special events are held in the 350-seat performance hall, a warm, intimate space lined in rich tropical teakwood and topped with a faceted glass dome. This state-of-the-arts performance facility provides a home to the Aga Khan Foundation Music Programme, which works to support and expand knowledge of traditional Asia and Islamic music. The galleries, performance hall and public spaces are organized around a central glazed courtyard; etched into the glass are Islamic mashrabiya patterns that cast intricate shadows across the walls and floors – and harvest natural daylight into the centre of the museum lobby. Set within a 6.8 hectare park, the Museum shares a site with the Ismaili Centre, located at the opposite end of the impressive park. The complex is a symbolic marker of the permanent presence of the Ismaili community in Canada and promotes cultural, religious and intellectual exploration.