The Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre, Toronto Assignment

The Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Centre, Toronto - Assignment Example at Toronto is one of the many symbolic centers of the Ismaili community which act as a space of socio-cultural meeting, intellectual involvement, and spiritual reflection. They aim to connect the community, authorities, and the civil society. As such the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili center at Toronto is a place of congregation, described as a â€Å"jamatkhana†, a place of communal setting (The Ismaili, n.pag.). The architecture of the museum and the Ismaili center along with the design of the landscape confirms the Islamic heritage which the site promotes. Hence the Aga Khan Museum and the Ismaili Center is a place of social interaction that is situated in the context of the Ismaili culture, more specifically the Islamic identity. The Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Center at Toronto represents a uniquely designed landmark which has a surrounding that is influenced by Islamic as well as regional cultures. The museum and the center therefore serve the purpose of the Islamic community in the broader context of the Canadian society. The architecture is deeply drawn from Islamic influences with gardens and parks surrounding the location arousing sentiments of friendship, peacefulness, and spirituality. There is a congregational hall in the Ismaili center which is a space for gathering of the community so as to promote mutual understanding and harmony. The design is greatly inspired by Islamic art and architecture with the park and garden being the most notable feature of Islamic art. A garden reflects a place of greenery and as such, symbolically represents a place of peace or reflection. The Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili center has a huge park located around it, which engenders a similar feeling of peace and spiritual ity. The park present near the museum is quite scenic and is a vital aesthetical component of the whole building. The museum and the center mean to represent peace and harmony and the surrounding park helps to consolidate the sense of peacefulness. In terms