Aga Khan Foundation: Islamic Community Center

[Highrise Tower]

I was just browsing FMA's website and found this.

 

https://www.farshidmoussavi.com/node/452#ismaili_center_houston_452_3

 

Quote

 

Team

Architect - Farshid Moussavi Architecture

Landscape architect - Nelson Byrd Woltz

Structural engineer - AKT II

Architect of record - DLR group

 

Project Data

Location - Houston, Texas, USA

Client - His Highness the Aga Khan

Date - 2019

Total area - 20000 m2

 

 

 

[J Money]

There was more soil testing today, and some survey flags throughout the property 

[Luminare]

No updates, but there was an interesting article published on Architectural Record about an Aga Khan Garden in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

 

https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/14192-aga-khan-garden-by-nelson-byrd-woltz-landscape-architects

 

The same Landscape Architect, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, for that one is also on board for this one. From what we heard from earlier information is that this project will be heavily landscaped and will be a key component in the design. Whats interesting is how they adapted Islamic tropes in garden design for the local context which bodes well for what we can expect for Houston. I can image ours being very lush and tropical. Look forward to getting the actual design.

 

Below are pics from the published article:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bobruss]

It looks like there's a wonderful amount of gardens and walkways in that project which makes me even more excited about this project. With a sloping lot towards the bayou I can only imagine the opportunities for water features, pavilions and landscaping which plays such an important role in an Aga Khan center. I also saw this last week and meant to mention. Thanks for posting because I think it makes us more aware of the plethora of possibilities that lie ahead. I can't wait to see the plans when they are presented.Hopefully we'll be seeing something in the next few months.

With this and the Houston Endowment project just across the bayou, and the Michael Graves Federal Reserve Bldg. next to the proposed Gillete project this will make a beautiful drive even that much more exciting.  

 

[Luminare]

11 hours ago, bobruss said:

It looks like there's a wonderful amount of gardens and walkways in that project which makes me even more excited about this project. With a sloping lot towards the bayou I can only imagine the opportunities for water features, pavilions and landscaping which plays such an important role in an Aga Khan center. I also saw this last week and meant to mention. Thanks for posting because I think it makes us more aware of the plethora of possibilities that lie ahead. I can't wait to see the plans when they are presented.Hopefully we'll be seeing something in the next few months.

With this and the Houston Endowment project just across the bayou, and the Michael Graves Federal Reserve Bldg. next to the proposed Gillete project this will make a beautiful drive even that much more exciting.  

 

 

And with this being their only US project they will be throwing down some cash. Its also a really good crew to bring forth a very refined project. The only question now is how will they position things on the site. My thinking is that they will place the garden more towards the bayou and then the actual center will be closer to the intersection of W Dallas and Montrose. Would be a really nice grand entrance and would be the most natural progression from Bayou to Park to Building, but we'll just have to wait and see.

[bobruss]

I would think given this properties proximity to the bayou and the number of times it has gone under water, that they will agree,  that the only safe plan is to position the actual center on the high ground half of the tract closer to W. Dallas and design the gardens and trails and water features similarly to what the Bayou project has done knowing all well the waters will rise. 

Edited August 15, 2019 by bobruss

[nate4l1f3]

Seen this while driving, not sure what’s going on? Sorry for the wack photo and photobucket. 

 

Edited November 9, 2019 by nate4l1f3

[Skyboxdweller]

Scaffolding for outdoor concert? 

[bobruss]

I saw that yesterday also. First thought was a concert stage but that's not it. Maybe they're putting up a temporary drive in movie screen.😉

[hindesky]

[Luminare]

Maybe this is for the local highschool marching band, with those white lines being the boundaries of the football field, the stake the endzone, and and the tower is just a really big band tower haha.

[HNathoo]

https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-hazar-imam-visits-center-houston-site

[Luminare]

1 hour ago, HNathoo said:

https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-hazar-imam-visits-center-houston-site

ugh. the plans, renders, and model were right there, and yet no up-close photography of either? What a tease.

[Highrise Tower]

20 hours ago, HNathoo said:

https://the.ismaili/news/mawlana-hazar-imam-visits-center-houston-site

 

Model from afar.

 

[nate4l1f3]

Meant to post This weekend that they had a green fence around this lot

[Twinsanity02]

An Alhambra in Houston? One can only hope.

[j_cuevas713]

Wow and we still don't have renderings?

[Triton]

22 hours ago, ekdrm2d1 said:

 

Model from afar.

 

Looks like it will have trees. That's a good start.

[Luminare]

11 minutes ago, Triton said:

Looks like it will have trees. That's a good start.

 

[wilcal]

I'll bet the lines in the grass are for the layout of the site.

 

Anyone got a drone that they want to send up?

 

Looking at a zoomed in version of them holding the model, it looks like a BUNCH of trees. Like 50-70?

 

And 2 or 3 structures. Largest one along the western edge and two smaller ones along the eastern edge. 

 

[hindesky]

[nate4l1f3]

I’ll go ahead and risk sounding like and idiot, but judging the model from afar it doesn’t look like anything crazy or outside of the box like the pictures posted in this thread

[shasta]

Have we heard anything else about this project?

It's been quiet.

[CasualObserver]

You can't expect a non-profit group to just recklessly barge ahead with a plan that started a mere...check notes...11 years ago.

[Luminare]

18 minutes ago, CasualObserver said:

You can't expect a non-profit group to just recklessly barge ahead with a plan that started a mere...check notes...11 years ago.

 

If its a project where you only build one in each country then they are going to take their time to make sure they like what they are going to build. Not to mention if its a non-profit + a religious group then they aren't going to be pushed to construct this as quickly like one that is looking to profit from what they want built immediately like a regular client. I do hope this does get off the ground soon, but I rather then take the time they need to get this right the first time than pushing it just to get built and then they aren't satisfied with the result.

[bobruss]

They might have purchased the land many years ago, but they just named an architect to design the project a year ago. 

 

[KinkaidAlum]

They bought this valuable plot 11 years ago. It's much more valuable now as the neighbors are tons of towers and mid-rises and Whole Foods and a completely rehabbed park. They don't pay taxes on it while it sits designated as a "park." 

 

I would be surprised if they eventually sell this at a HUGE profit all while never paying a dime in taxes. Hope I'm wrong but the older I get the more cynical I become.

[bobruss]

I think it will be built and much sooner than you think. You've just been in L A. too long.

Edited January 30, 2020 by bobruss

[shasta]

On 1/29/2020 at 12:42 PM, bobruss said:

They might have purchased the land many years ago, but they just named an architect to design the project a year ago. 

 

Didn't they have a public event with scaled models of the whole site? This thing has already been schematically designed...we just need them to release the design to the public. 

[bobruss]

Hopefully they would make them public at some point in the near future. Everyone is waiting to see what this site will evolve into. 

I just know after many years of waiting for the pot to boil, I've finally learned that a watched pot never boils.

It will come when they're ready. It always seems that these type of projects get announced when you least expect it. 

[tangledwoods]

I drive by this site everyday and have noticed increased activity.  They have a dumpster and a McCarthy trailer on site.  There also looks to be some site cleanup / clearing going on.  No heavy equipment is onsite yet but things might just be kicking off!

[Triton]

6 hours ago, tangledwoods said:

I drive by this site everyday and have noticed increased activity.  They have a dumpster and a McCarthy trailer on site.  There also looks to be some site cleanup / clearing going on.  No heavy equipment is onsite yet but things might just be kicking off!

I can't wait for improved sidewalks in this area from Allen to Dallas.

[tangledwoods]

from the morning commute, we got a forklift and 2 portable toilets....  Making progress!

[j_cuevas713]

20 hours ago, Triton said:

I can't wait for improved sidewalks in this area from Allen to Dallas.

So speaking on that. How does the city not notice these need an upgrade and not do something based off city ROW? Is our city that lazy or incompetent or is this because the land is private property? 

[Texasota]

Sidewalk repairs cost money. My guess is that the City, knowing this project was coming, has held off on allocating/finding money to spend on this connection. My hope is that they've been working with the property owner to make sure there's a wide, consistent concrete sidewalk/trail for both pedestrians and cyclists along Montrose as part of the project. The owners will be required to rebuild the sidewalk regardless, but a 5' sidewalk is not adequate here. 

[mollusk]

32 minutes ago, Texasota said:

Sidewalk repairs cost money. My guess is that the City, knowing this project was coming, has held off on allocating/finding money to spend on this connection. My hope is that they've been working with the property owner to make sure there's a wide, consistent concrete sidewalk/trail for both pedestrians and cyclists along Montrose as part of the project. The owners will be required to rebuild the sidewalk regardless, but a 5' sidewalk is not adequate here. 

 

Our fair city doesn't really build sidewalks or even maintain them; instead, that job gets handed to the developers and property owners to accomplish.  Yes, it's public right of way, but even when the city did it way back when they would come back and impose a paving lien on the adjacent property owners.

 

Also, construction on this scale would really trash the sidewalks.

[Houston19514]

7 minutes ago, mollusk said:

 

Our fair city doesn't really build sidewalks or even maintain them; instead, that job gets handed to the developers and property owners to accomplish.  Yes, it's public right of way, but even when the city did it way back when they would come back and impose a paving lien on the adjacent property owners.

 

Also, construction on this scale would really trash the sidewalks.

 

I think Houston's approach is actually pretty standard.  Property owners are responsible for sidewalks.  Where Houston has differed (and failed, especially in the past), is in imposing and enforcing sidewalk requirements.

[iah77]

14 minutes ago, Houston19514 said:

 

I think Houston's approach is actually pretty standard.  Property owners are responsible for sidewalks.  Where Houston has differed (and failed, especially in the past), is in imposing and enforcing sidewalk requirements.

 

Just because it's "standard" government abuse does not necessarily make it right lol...

[j_cuevas713]

 

3 hours ago, Texasota said:

Sidewalk repairs cost money. My guess is that the City, knowing this project was coming, has held off on allocating/finding money to spend on this connection. My hope is that they've been working with the property owner to make sure there's a wide, consistent concrete sidewalk/trail for both pedestrians and cyclists along Montrose as part of the project. The owners will be required to rebuild the sidewalk regardless, but a 5' sidewalk is not adequate here. 

Agree. Isn't this whole development going to be walkable though? I figure 10ft sidewalks will prob go here. 

[j_cuevas713]

2 hours ago, iah77 said:

 

Just because it's "standard" government abuse does not necessarily make it right lol...

Yeah but I do get the point that many cities take this approach. I think the bigger issue is enforcing the ordinance already in place that they must be maintained. At some point I see the city ticketing property owners. The good thing is the minimum is 5ft opposed to 3ft in the past. 

[Yoda]

This is such a prominent location. I kind of wish this was going to be a mixed use development similar to "The Allen" but larger in scope.

[X.R.]

17 hours ago, Yoda said:

This is such a prominent location. I kind of wish this was going to be a mixed use development similar to "The Allen" but larger in scope.

 

I'm torn. I agree with you in part since a row of mixed use down the Parkway, with the Whole Foods just right there, would make it a pedestrian paradise. But a part of me says that because it is such a prominent location it makes even more sense to have such a public cultural/spiritual place go into the space. The Menil/Rothko Chapel helps give Montrose a sense of permanency, and provides a v positive space for gathering and reflection for the neighborhood and Houston, that I love the thought of having that replicated.

 

 

Edited October 14, 2020 by X.R.

[kbates2]

21 hours ago, Texasota said:

My hope is that they've been working with the property owner to make sure there's a wide, consistent concrete sidewalk/trail for both pedestrians and cyclists along Montrose as part of the project. 

 

Let's not forget rollerbladers.

 

[clutchcity94]

53 minutes ago, X.R. said:

 

I'm torn. I agree with you in part since a row of mixed use down the Parkway, with the Whole Foods just right there, would make it a pedestrian paradise. But a part of me says that because it is such a prominent location it makes even more sense to have such a public cultural/spiritual place go into the space. The Menil/Rothko Chapel helps give Montrose a sense of permanency, and provides a v positive space for gathering and reflection for the neighborhood and Houston, that I love the thought of having that replicated.

 

 

I know this is more of an Ismaili community center and not necessarily an Ismaili place of worship, but as someone familiar with this sect, I will say that Ismaili places of worship are very strict about not letting non-Ismailis in.

 

Again, this doesn’t apply to mosques in general (anyone is welcome in a mosque in Houston, regardless of religion), but to Ismaili/Aga Khani places of worship in particular.

 

Edited October 14, 2020 by clutchcity94

[j_cuevas713]

5 minutes ago, clutchcity94 said:

I know this is more of an Ismaili community center and not necessarily an Ismaili place of worship, but as someone familiar with this sect, I will say that Ismaili places of worship are very strict about not letting non-Ismailis in.

 

Again, this doesn’t apply to mosques in general (anyone is welcome in a mosque in Houston, regardless of religion), but to Ismaili/Aga Khani places of worship in particular.

 

So you're telling me this entire plot of land won't be accessible to the public when it's finished? Yeah we def need 10ft sidewalks along Montrose. 

[clutchcity94]

Just now, j_cuevas713 said:

So you're telling me this entire plot of land won't be accessible to the public when it's finished? Yeah we def need 10ft sidewalks along Montrose. 

Possibly. We’d need an official statement from them.

[HNathoo]

11 minutes ago, clutchcity94 said:

I know this is more of an Ismaili community center and not necessarily an Ismaili place of worship, but as someone familiar with this sect, I will say that Ismaili places of worship are very strict about not letting non-Ismailis in.

 

Again, this doesn’t apply to mosques in general (anyone is welcome in a mosque in Houston, regardless of religion), but to Ismaili/Aga Khani places of worship in particular.

 

 

I believe the prayer hall will probably be private, but otherwise it should be pretty open to the public similar to the Toronto center. https://the.ismaili/ismailicentres/toronto/visiting-toronto

 

The decision makers behind this project have been pretty tight lipped on this since they acquired the site. I'm a member, but doubt I'll hear about ground-breaking prior to the general public.

[EllenOlenska]

To me, if this is an open series of gardens and a cultural center that is mostly open to the public then this is the best thing for the land. 

Edited October 14, 2020 by EllenOlenska

[mollusk]

23 hours ago, X.R. said:

I'm torn. I agree with you in part since a row of mixed use down the Parkway, with the Whole Foods just right there, would make it a pedestrian paradise. But a part of me says that because it is such a prominent location it makes even more sense to have such a public cultural/spiritual place go into the space. The Menil/Rothko Chapel helps give Montrose a sense of permanency, and provides a v positive space for gathering and reflection for the neighborhood and Houston, that I love the thought of having that replicated.

 

Having a grocery store within walking distance is dandy, but not necessarily something to be "enjoyed" on a daily basis as a park like environment would be.

[jgriff]

6 minutes ago, mollusk said:

 

Having a grocery store within walking distance is dandy, but not necessarily something to be "enjoyed" on a daily basis as a park like environment would be.

I have one within walking distance but rarely ever walk there.