Moriyama Teshima Architects in collaboration with renowned architects Maki and Associates designed and delivered this landmark cultural complex, consisting of the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre (designed with Charles Correa Associates).

Through permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs and cultural events, the Aga Khan Museum fosters knowledge and understanding of Islamic civilization and its artistic, intellectual, scientific and religious heritage. The museum is an initiative of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network. It houses collections of Islamic art and heritage, including artifacts from the private collections of His Highness the Aga Khan, the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, and Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan.

Both the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre are surrounded by the landscape of Wynford Park, designed by Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architects in association with Moriyama Teshima Planners. The 17-acre site is re-naturalized with woodlands of native species and lined with two kilometers of public walking trails. Traditional Islamic gardens with reflecting pools and formal rows of trees and hedges provide quiet, contemplative outdoor spaces. Discreetly hidden beneath the landscape is an extensive underground service network that includes a 580-car parking garage to accommodate the scores of worshippers and visitors.

Lean Design Processes were employed to ensure that the project’s target cost was met. A rigorous cost reduction exercise was undertaken, including re-examining some of the base design assumptions. Several options were considered and evaluated in conjunction with the Client, Design Teams and Construction Manager.