The site of the Ismaili Centre Dushanbe is located on Ismoili Somoni Avenue,  named after the founder of the Samanid dynasty (early 10th century) and  considered Tajikistan’s national hero.

The direction was to design a building that represented the great architectural  traditions of this region, including its construction techniques, materials, and  decorative motif. It is in this context that clay bricks, punctuated with blue and turquoise glazed bricks, have become the most distinctive visual aspect of the  overall complex.

Inspired by some of the region’s most distinctive monuments, the architecture  of the Ismaili Centre blends many different craft and artisanal traditions of  Central Asia. Designed to facilitate cultural and intellectual exchange, the  Centre aims to re-invigorate and promote the spirit of enquiry characterised by  scholars whose contributions over the centuries were encouraged by the  Ismaili Muslim community under the patronage of its leadership.

Located amidst gardens and waterfalls off a main thoroughfare in Dushanbe,  the Centre in sandstone baked brick and glazed blue and turquoise tiles,  acknowledges the vernaculars of the 10th century mausoleum of the  Samanids as well as the grand courtyards of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Equipped to host exhibitions and conferences, concerts and recitals, the complex includes a resource centre, classrooms, multi-purpose spaces, courtyards and an amphitheatre. Technical innovations include an elastic roof diaphragm to transfer structural stress in this highly seismic region, a heating and air conditioning system based on water-source heat pumps used for the first time on this scale in the region, as well as a heat recovery wheel for energy efficiency.

Source: Aga Khan Trust for Culture