A new cultural landmark is set to open in Houston. This weekend, Houston will welcome the first Ismaili Center in the United States – and only seventh in the world. In celebration of the massive new cultural venue, organizers will host a day full of community activations, cultural experiences, and more.
The Ismaili Center is a sprawling, 150,000-square-foot cultural venue and hub dedicated for the Shia Ismaili Muslim community. Seven years in the marking, the Ismaili building was designed by Iranian-born British architect, Farshid Moussavi. The architect, co-founder of Farshid Moussavi Architecture, is the mastermind behind the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland, La Folie Divine in Montpellier, France, and Harrods Toy Department in London. The Ismaili Center marks her largest project to date.
Moussavi describes the Houston Ismaili Center as a “tapestry of stone” tapping into traditional Islamic architecture with a contemporary aesthetic. The building houses an ensemble of spaces ranging from a five-story central atrium, a 1,500-person prayer hall, sweeping verandas, exhibition gallery, black box theater, and educational spaces.
The Ismaili Center in Houston also features a vast, 9-acre gardens. Designed by landscape architect, Thomas Woltz, the gardens feature exclusively native Texas species as an evolving ecosystem.
On Saturday, December 13, the Ismaili Center officially opens in Houston. Beginning at 9 am, organizers will host a day of cultural experiences and family-friendly programming. Guided tours will take place from 9 am to 4 pm, where visitors can marvel at the architectural grandeur between levels 1 – 3.
From 10 am – 2 pm, organizers will host a range of free activities including live music, dance performances, art installations, and other cultural events. Furthermore, the Ismaili Center’s 9-acre gardens will also be open for exploration. Here, visitors can stroll why enjoying a selection of local food trucks and hot chocolate bar.
The Ismaili Center in Houston is located at 2323 Allen Parkway. The grand opening of the venue is free to visit; registration is encouraged.