j_cuevas713 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 5 minutes ago, X.R. said: If I was them, I'd be balancing my need for privacy of the faithful vs inviting the public. Its a fine line but I think they are balancing it well. Whether the sightlines make for easy viewing, I'm unsure, but I know it will be very, very busy. They will have a good presence in the area. Their population here is comparatively large, and other Muslims will 100% utilize this space as well. This has fortress-elements, but I don't think in their case its a Houston-specific issue. If you check their Canada-based centers they have similar, more recessed layouts for what I can tell from google maps and the images. And if they do have a sizeable pedestrian presence, as I alluded to above, it further detracts from the fortress element. The layout makes sense, its a bit of a campus, and if I was going there for programming that spoke to my faith or heritage I don't want cars zooming down Allen pkwy to be in the background. Enough land was there to both add to the city at large and to Ismaili community, which is what I think they are trying to do. Yeah this is going to draw an incredible amount of people. I see this section along the bayou completely redeveloping from streets to new development very very fast. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 56 minutes ago, X.R. said: If I was them, I'd be balancing my need for privacy of the faithful vs inviting the public. Its a fine line but I think they are balancing it well. Whether the sightlines make for easy viewing, I'm unsure, but I know it will be very, very busy. They will have a good presence in the area. Their population here is comparatively large, and other Muslims will 100% utilize this space as well. This has fortress-elements, but I don't think in their case its a Houston-specific issue. If you check their Canada-based centers they have similar, more recessed layouts for what I can tell from google maps and the images. And if they do have a sizeable pedestrian presence, as I alluded to above, it further detracts from the fortress element. The layout makes sense, its a bit of a campus, and if I was going there for programming that spoke to my faith or heritage I don't want cars zooming down Allen pkwy to be in the background. Enough land was there to both add to the city at large and to Ismaili community, which is what I think they are trying to do. I suspect some take issue with this because of the current zeitgeist which is that "inclusivity" must be made a priority over "exclusivity". In this current age exclusivity is seen to be inherently wrong, or since we are talking about a religious building which will house participants of a religious faith, exclusivity is seen by some to be inherently sinful. With that being said you are correct, the very nature of any group with a strong established beliefs means that they will create a building that will be focused on being an exclusive experience for its faithful. This isn't an all-faith's chapel, right? Certainly it will be a building that will have semi-public and public spaces, but at the end of the day its for the Ismali first, and everyone else second, and that is perfectly okay. You can't have anything that pleases or is home to everyone, nor do we as architects design spaces in that way. Even the fortress like nature of its massing is very in-line with typical Islamic massing of its worship spaces, mosques, etc... considering its history, and how its faith practices. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted August 20, 2022 Share Posted August 20, 2022 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post classic Posted August 20, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 20, 2022 (edited) On 8/17/2022 at 10:51 AM, EllenOlenska said: So I think the building is great. I'm very high on it. One thing that I keep thinking of is that even for Houston, even for that area it seems a little private, a little pulled back from the street. I'm not going to pretend to know or presume on the foundation's public or privateness but even then, I'm afraid the building will be lovely and (despite some of its renderings) from many spots difficult to see. An extremely important and integral part of the project is the landscaping and outdoor spaces, and I highlight this as we often only think of projects as the building proper, and that is not the best frame here. I think access to and activation of the extensive landscaping (being led by NBW https://www.nbwla.com/projects/boards/ismaili-center-houston ) will be brilliant. It could be an interesting exercise to check out outdoor space activation at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto to get a possible touchstone. They have often hosted outdoor photo exhibitions, arts events, and even a major Canada Day themed multi-day music festival. This was the line-up for the 2022 Rhythms of Canada festival at the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre Toronto, held virtually exclusively in their outdoor spaces: https://express.adobe.com/page/dryki8ryrd0J5/ Edited August 20, 2022 by classic 11 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenOlenska Posted August 20, 2022 Share Posted August 20, 2022 (edited) Honestly, looking at it more closely. It seems like the entirety of the gardens is surrounded by hedges and a large wall, with only small gates for entry, which who knows may be locked. I don't know (I'm asking), but it seems the entrance faces into the neighborhood, away from the perspective of almost all the renderings. So to get to the garden you'd have to go through this impressive but not exactly conductive building. I'm not exactly sure if the gardens are meant to be accessible in the same way Hermann Park is. Are people going to have unfettered access to the gardens daily? Edited August 20, 2022 by EllenOlenska 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted August 20, 2022 Share Posted August 20, 2022 i imagine that you will have to enter from the main building to gain access. Besides if it wasn't fenced you'd have people camping with their tents all over the grounds. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arche_757 Posted August 21, 2022 Share Posted August 21, 2022 I’m of the impression the compound is designed with security in mind. Period. It is architecturally significant, but it isn’t destined to be a “feel free to walk off the street and just mill about” sort of place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillip_white Posted August 21, 2022 Share Posted August 21, 2022 9 hours ago, EllenOlenska said: Honestly, looking at it more closely. It seems like the entirety of the gardens is surrounded by hedges and a large wall, with only small gates for entry, which who knows may be locked. I don't know (I'm asking), but it seems the entrance faces into the neighborhood, away from the perspective of almost all the renderings. So to get to the garden you'd have to go through this impressive but not exactly conductive building. I'm not exactly sure if the gardens are meant to be accessible in the same way Hermann Park is. Are people going to have unfettered access to the gardens daily? I would assume access will be similar to the BAPS Mandir or any other architecturally significant religious structure that has public interest. You check in, they give you a run-down of the grounds, ask you to be culturally/religiously appropriate, and send you on your way. The same is to be expected for any other church or religious property. I've visited mosques before where they provide head coverings for women and robes for men (if you're wearing shorts). I haven't looking into whether other Aga Khan community centers have similar dress codes, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyboxdweller Posted August 21, 2022 Share Posted August 21, 2022 I think that the design is in keeping with the tradition of enclosed gardens in Persia and India and is appropriate for its intended use. . It's not a place of commerce, or finance or mass entertainment , but rather a place more contemplative and a refuge from all of that; a sacred space amid the profane. It's certainly more connected to the physical environment and a more meditative environment than some of the other houses of worship in Houston that have a regional or national reputation, e.g. Lakewood Church, Second Baptist or the Cathedral downtown. It doesn't shout " Look at Me" or attempt to dominate or intimidate . Given that we experience most of the built environment in Houston as a drive by, I assume that there will be many who pass by this center on Allen Parkway on a daily basis and will have no clue as to the garden and architectural spaces. But not all. There are many who avail themselves of the trails along Buffalo Bayou and I think it will pique their curiosity. In the way that it doesn't give it all away at the street level , it's quite seductive. If the center develops a program of lectures and concerts and other public events it will be experienced by many Houstonians of all faiths, including non-believers. Security has to be a major concern to a large Islamic center of worship in the US , and especially in Texas with its open carry laws. It would be unwise to have people with guns walking in off the street into this center without having to pass through a security checkpoint. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classic Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 On 8/20/2022 at 11:38 AM, EllenOlenska said: Honestly, looking at it more closely. It seems like the entirety of the gardens is surrounded by hedges and a large wall, with only small gates for entry, which who knows may be locked. I don't know (I'm asking), but it seems the entrance faces into the neighborhood, away from the perspective of almost all the renderings. So to get to the garden you'd have to go through this impressive but not exactly conductive building. I'm not exactly sure if the gardens are meant to be accessible in the same way Hermann Park is. Are people going to have unfettered access to the gardens daily? I don't have an answer to this for the Houston project, but the Toronto touchstone (IE the Aga Khan Park wherein the Ismaili Centre Toronto and Aga Khan Museum reside) is fully accessible all the time. Quite literally, all the time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityliving Posted August 26, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted August 26, 2022 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted August 29, 2022 Share Posted August 29, 2022 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skyboxdweller Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 On 8/21/2022 at 8:48 PM, classic said: I don't have an answer to this for the Houston project, but the Toronto touchstone (IE the Aga Khan Park wherein theIsmaili Centre Toronto and Aga Khan Museum reside) is fully accessible all the time. Quite literally, all the time. Quite a different attitude towards guns, immigrants, social obligations and inequality in Toronto than in Texas. We live in a fortress society to some extent to protect us from the chaos that we sometimes mistake for liberty. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted September 5, 2022 Share Posted September 5, 2022 5 minutes ago, Skyboxdweller said: Quite a different attitude towards guns, immigrants, social obligations and inequality in Toronto than in Texas. We live in a fortress society to some extent to protect us from the chaos that we sometimes mistake for liberty. Well, let's hope the Aga Khan people try to set a better example in Houston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityliving Posted September 19, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted September 19, 2022 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post hindesky Posted October 9, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted October 9, 2022 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityliving Posted October 31, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted October 31, 2022 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted October 31, 2022 Share Posted October 31, 2022 Looks like there just about of parking soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted November 8, 2022 Share Posted November 8, 2022 Big AT crane is using the heavy lift package on the crane, it's lifting up big metal frames. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted November 10, 2022 Share Posted November 10, 2022 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted November 22, 2022 Share Posted November 22, 2022 I wonder if this permit is for the garden landscaping? 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted November 23, 2022 Share Posted November 23, 2022 (edited) Edited November 24, 2022 by cityliving 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post classic Posted November 25, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 25, 2022 This is a great little video that just got published, with new animation of the finished product, more context regarding the nature and uses of the building, and great touchstones from other Ismaili Centers already in place. 9 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted November 26, 2022 Share Posted November 26, 2022 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted November 27, 2022 Share Posted November 27, 2022 Big luffing crawler crane. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityliving Posted December 1, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted December 1, 2022 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirbyDriveKid Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 Sorry to do this, but what apartment building is that rising in the background? The one in this photo on the line between the Ismaili Center and the Hanover Autry Park. I think it is on Waugh? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenOlenska Posted December 1, 2022 Share Posted December 1, 2022 This post was recognized by Highrise Tower! EllenOlenska was awarded the badge 'Superstar' and 1000 points. 43 minutes ago, KirbyDriveKid said: Sorry to do this, but what apartment building is that rising in the background? The one in this photo on the line between the Ismaili Center and the Hanover Autry Park. I think it is on Waugh? Modera Waugh 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted December 2, 2022 Share Posted December 2, 2022 Luffing crawler crane is hanging big steel beams. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted December 3, 2022 Share Posted December 3, 2022 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityliving Posted December 8, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted December 8, 2022 (edited) Steel beams being assembled at the Aga Khan Islamic Community Center in interesting Geometric shapes. Edited December 8, 2022 by cityliving 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted December 8, 2022 Share Posted December 8, 2022 (edited) Wow, now that is one beefy set of girders... EDIT: I was just fantasizing about the coordination meeting when architecture presented this to structure. Arch: We want this large column free space, and want this nice and open, oh and there is also a space above this. Structure: Well if you want to do that then more than likely we will need to manufacture a custom steel girder with a depth of 6'... Arch: Yeah we want one of those. Is that a problem? Structure: Not a problem, its just expensive. Arch: I've been told money is not an issue. Structure: Okay, if you say so... Edited December 8, 2022 by Luminare 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityliving Posted December 9, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted December 9, 2022 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityliving Posted December 15, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2022 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobruss Posted December 15, 2022 Share Posted December 15, 2022 Thats some serious steel fabrication! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted December 17, 2022 Share Posted December 17, 2022 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted December 17, 2022 Share Posted December 17, 2022 This is going to be a Architecturally significant structure, the octagonal shapes on the building are visible from up above, something that people can't see from street view. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 They started on the garden portion a couple weeks ago. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityliving Posted December 20, 2022 Share Posted December 20, 2022 Hard to tell with that truck parked there.😄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cityliving Posted December 22, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted December 22, 2022 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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tangledwoods Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 https://littleredridingbag.tumblr.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Popular Post bobruss Posted January 5 Popular Post Share Posted January 5 It's nice to see a steel superstructure going up. This is probably one of the more interesting projects structurally and aesthetically that I've seen on HAIF in quite a while. This is one project I cant wait to see when it's finished. This will bring a lot of attention to Houston in national and international publications for its cultural, and architectural accomplishments. It will also bring Houston more credit for being such a diverse and accepting city. This will rank right up there with the Menil, Kinder and Memorial Park Buffalo Bayou parks, as far as important and positive accomplishments. Its just amazing how much has changed in the last ten years. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted January 5 Share Posted January 5 Let's hope the Aga Khan foundation is equally as accepting as we like to consider our city to be... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
classic Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 2 hours ago, Naviguessor said: Let's hope the Aga Khan foundation is equally as accepting as we like to consider our city to be... I don't think you need to wait for the Ismaili Center to be built to get an answer to your question about the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). AKF is part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which is the largest private international development network in the world. That in and of itself maybe doesn't provide the window you're looking for, but I'd suggest a look at their list of partners does. Below is a list of AKDN partners as listed on the.akdn (that's actually their website - they have their own gTLD): African Development Bank Agence Française de Développement Asian Development Bank Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade AXIS Bank Foundation Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives Bainum Family Foundation USA Benazir Income Support Programme, Government of Pakistan Bernard van Leer Foundation Better Cotton Growth Bezos Family Foundation Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation Bihar Education Project Council, India Bihar Mahadalit Vikas Mission, India Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society, India Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation USA Blue Ventures BNP Paribas British Council Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Canada Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Cargill Catholic University of Portugal Children’s Investment Fund Foundation UK (CIFF) Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Christensen Fund Comic Relief British International Invest (formerly Commonwealth Development Corporation) Conrad N. Hilton Foundation USA Cotton Connect Danish International Development Agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Germany Development Support Agency of Gujarat, India Drosos Foundation Dubai Cares Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Education Cannot Wait Electricité de France ELMA Foundation USA European Bank for Reconstruction and Development European Commission European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) European Investment Bank Flora Family Foundation Ford Foundation French Ministry of Foreign Affairs German Federal Foreign Office (FFO) German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Global Affairs Canada Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Government of Afghanistan Government of Australia Government of Burkina Faso Government of Canada Government of the Czech Republic Government of Côte d’Ivoire Government of Denmark Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo Government of Egypt Government of Finland Government of France Government of Germany Government of Greece Government of India Government of Indonesia Government of Japan Government of Kazakhstan Government of the Kyrgyz Republic Government of Kenya Government of Mali Government of Mozambique Government of the Netherlands Government of New Zealand Government of Norway Government of Pakistan Government of Portugal Government of Spain Government of Sweden Government of Switzerland Government of Tajikistan Government of Tanzania Government of the United Kingdom Government of Uganda Government of Zanzibar Grand Challenges Canada Harvard University Hazira LNG ltd Hazira Port Private Limited HDFC Bank Ltd Heifer Project International HELVETAS Hewlett Foundation Hilfswerk International IKEA Foundation Innocent Foundation UK Integrity Action InterGlobe Foundation International Development Research Centre (IDRC) International Finance Corporation (IFC) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) International Labour Organisation (ILO) Jacobs Foundation Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs John Deere Johnson & Johnson Foundation Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) L&T Technology Services Ltd La Caixa Foundation Larsen & Toubro Public Charitable Trust LAUDES Foundation Lego Foundation Lisbon City Council Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs The John D. and Catherine T. Macarthur Foundation Magdy Yacoub Heart Foundation Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Margaret A. Cargill Foundation MasterCard Foundation Microsoft Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), India National Bank of Pakistan National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), Pakistan National Ministry of Jal Shakti, India Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD) Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oak Foundation Omidyar Network Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund Patriarchate of Lisbon PATRIP Foundation Paul Reinhart AG People in Need Population Council Porticus Foundation Porto Catholic University Portuguese Catholic University Portuguese Cooperation Institute PricewaterhouseCoopers Services Limited Prince’s Trust International Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Economique (PROPARCO) Qatar National Library Quest Alliance Rabo Bank Rahimtulla Trust Reckitt Benckiser Rizwan Adatia Foundation Rockefeller Foundation Rotary International Royal Canadian Geographic Society Roza Otumbaeva Initiative SBI Foundation Scotiabank Simon Fraser University Société Générale Standard Chartered Bank State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Government of Switzerland (SECO) Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) The Tata Trusts ThinkCity, Malaysia Triggerise United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) United Nations Education, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) United Nations Women Unilever Foundation United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) United States Agency for International Development (USAID) United States Department of Agriculture United States Department of State University of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of California University of Columbia, New York University of Ottawa University of Toronto University of Victoria University of Vienna University of Waterloo University of Western Ontario Vitol Foundation Wellspring Philanthropic Fund World Bank World Conservation Society World Food Programme (WFP) World Health Organisation (WHO) World Monuments Fund World University Service of Canada Apologies for such a long list, but it is telling, and I also think many will have similar questions to Naviguessor. Explore the website for more. 5 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted January 6 Share Posted January 6 Thanks Classic. How are you involved with the Foundation/Center? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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