The ensemble was created on the initiative of the Ismaili Imam Aga Khan, both for the needs of the community and for the popularization of Islamic culture. Toronto's good location serves both of these purposes: the city is in the middle of a densely populated region, half Canadian, half US, so the new complex should have a lot of visitors.
Two significant buildings (each with an area of about 10,000 m2) are located in a park of 7 hectares, under which there is an extensive underground garage. Landscaping motives are reminiscent of Islamic tradition - for example, five rectangular ponds designed to encourage contemplation and reflection.
The Aga Khan Museum is intended to house his collection of Islamic art, most of which were donated to him over the years as the head of the Ismaili community. Maki faced his building with white Brazilian granite, reminiscent of marble. The walls appear very thick thanks to a trick: the main entrance is recessed into the facade.
The interior of the building is organized around a courtyard with glazed walls complemented by traditional wrought iron bars. There is also an auditorium for 350 seats with a domed ceiling, galleries of permanent and temporary exhibitions, a storehouse and a media library with an educational center.
The Ismaili Community Center, designed by Charles Correa, is visible from afar thanks to the huge glass dome that completes the prayer hall, the jamoathona. The interior is widely used in modern interpretations of lattices-mashrabiya and "stalactites" -mukarnas.
