Aga Khan Museum for Islamic Art and Culture & Ismaili Centre | U/C | Don Mills

[current]

Feb 23
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[current]

Construction update photos taken July 3
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[aswalli]

I've heard that some of the contrast cladding has started going up on the elements that protrude from the roof line. True?

[Taller, Better]

Drove past it yesterday, but couldn't really see much.

[aswalli]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

Drove past it yesterday, but couldn't really see much.

Thank-you for checking. With all the unique aspects / details around this construction, I wish there would have been a construction web-cam. Oh well.

[Mollywood]

This looks like it's going to be a major museum and a really good one too. I'm always going on about Toronto not having enough major attractions, so I'm very happy about this. I will be so excited opening day. I love museums about culture, art and ancient civilizations. The design is going to be top rate, from what I've seen so far.

[isaidso]

I'm very pleased about landing this centre as well. I can see the beginnings of a critical mass of interesting assets for this area. Isn't the Ontario Science Centre just around the corner?

[aswalli]

Originally Posted by isaidso

I'm very pleased about landing this centre as well. I can see the beginnings of a critical mass of interesting assets for this area. Isn't the Ontario Science Centre just around the corner?

Yes - the OSC is right around the corner. I think in time, when next phases of the transit plans manifest, this will also be a very well (public transit) connected corner of Toronto. That will inspire more development I suspect.

[current]

Originally Posted by aswalli

I've heard that some of the contrast cladding has started going up on the elements that protrude from the roof line. True?

Went by yesterday and they are working on the roof but I did not see the installation of contrast cladding. Here are a few photos as construction continues:
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

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[isaidso]

It's projects like this that cement my view that Toronto is gaining clout internationally with each passing year. Perhaps over the next decade we'll be blessed with more cultural assets: museums, galleries, perhaps even another theatre.

[aswalli]

Latest construction gallery:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1048463...ionProjects20#

[EDIT]

I was reviewing some of the pictures in detail / zooming in and the like ... looks like there has been a lot of progress on the landscaping. Additionally, it really looks like the landscaping is not straightforward - is a very substantial aspect of the construction / project overall! Will be nice to see in a few days time when all of the newly delivered trees are up

[Taller, Better]

I'm unsure how I will get there from downtown via public transport!

[Mollywood]

Originally Posted by Taller, Better

I'm unsure how I will get there from downtown via public transport!

Eglinton LRT, once it's built.

[isaidso]

What is the difference between the Eglinton LRT and a subway? Is it just a streetcar that's underground?

[aswalli]

Originally Posted by isaidso

What is the difference between the Eglinton LRT and a subway? Is it just a streetcar that's underground?

LRT - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_rail

Light rail or light rail transit (LRT) is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems. The term is typically used to refer to rail systems with rapid transit-style features that usually use electric rail cars[1] operating mostly in private rights-of-way separated from other traffic but sometimes, if necessary, mixed with other traffic in city streets. If this is the case, then under the law of many countries such systems are legally tramways, although the vehicles which run on them are sometimes designated "supertrams". Modern light rail technology is flexible and adaptable, and whether any given system is considered a true rapid transit system or not depends on its characteristics.[2][3][4]

Subway - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subway_%28rail%29

A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is a passenger transport system in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic.[1][2] Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on elevated viaducts above street level. Outside urban centers, rapid transit lines may run on grade separated ground level tracks.

With respect to Eglinton, I believe it is separate right of ways, so something like Edmonton or Calgary's LRT systems.

If you want specific touchstones, here is a web-page for Calgary's new West LRT line where there is an above grade portion, an at grade portion, some portions in a trench and a portion including one station underground. I haven't reviewed Eglinton-crosstown too closely, but I suspect some of the elements could be like Calgary's West LRT. (click the explore the West LRT button for an interesting animation covering the entire line, and there are also good images for the stations within the FAQ section).

http://www.westlrt.ca/

It is certainly not a streetcar, as streetcars stop much more often and run much slower. Calgary's LRT line goes up to 80km/hr (I think there is a stretch on the Edmonton line that allows 90km/hr, but I'm not certain). Of course, at the end of the day, it all depends on how close the stops are designed to be.

Anyway - enough LRT conversations on this thread!

[aswalli]

Fantastic new construction pics by Meteor54 on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/tags/agakhan/

One thing I really noticed in this set is the number of outdoor rooftop spaces there are on the Ismaili centre.

The Ismiali centre is looking very nice, and the completed angular skylight over the social hall space is providing a lot of visual interest and balance:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15643394@N05/8025604219/

The trees coming in are complimenting the structure of the museum very nice. I suspect we won't see water till very close to the end of the project, which will add a different depth of interest:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/1564339...n/photostream/

[current]

Thank you aswalli. Here is a better pic of the completed angular skylight over the social hall space:
image hosted on flickr

[aswalli]

Three recent pics via twitter:

https://twitter.com/aswalli/status/2.../photo/1/large

https://twitter.com/aswalli/status/2.../photo/1/large

https://twitter.com/aswalli/status/2.../photo/1/large

Two web-cams:

http://www.toronto.ca/rescu/loc76.htm

http://www.toronto.ca/rescu/loc75.htm

[isaidso]

Thanks for your answers and updates. I hope they have a public open house. I'd love to go check it out.

[aswalli]

Slightly tangential, but still related, item:

The Prime Minister was just taken around Humayun's Tomb and garden in Dehli by the President of the Ismaili Council for Canada. That historic site, rehabilitated by the Aga Khan, was one of the gardens that the Aga Khan asked for the Wynford project landscape architect to visit in advance of designing the Toronto park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FquopEGzz_4