The Ismaili Center in Houston, designed by Farshid Moussavi Architecture (FMA) with DLR Group and gardens by Nelson Byrd Woltz, has opened its doors. This 5-story, 150,000-square-foot building is the first Ismaili Center in the United States and the seventh worldwide.
The center’s design blends contemporary expressions of traditional Islamic architecture, incorporating Persian motifs, ceramic mosaics, and geometric patterns. The building’s three volumes house the prayer hall, learning spaces, and social areas, connected by atriums. The prayer hall, occupying 8% of the site, features a 68-foot-high oculus and a translucent ceiling with LED lights.
“The hope is that we are able to do, on a much enhanced or larger scale, what the community does today in terms of engagement on service projects in arts and culture, in interfaith dialog, and even just in bringing people together,” says Omar Samji, Spokesperson, Ismaili Center.
The center’s gardens represent distinct ecological regions of Texas, featuring native plants, reflecting basins, and shaded spaces. The design prioritizes sustainability, aiming for LEED Gold certification, with low-carbon stone cladding and reduced COโ emissions.
The Ismaili Center is a cultural and ambassadorial hub, promoting interfaith dialogue, arts, and community engagement. It opens to the public in December, offering a unique space for connection and reflection.
Image Courtesy: archpaper.com
