Oakville, (ON) Canada
Project start: 2014
Status: Construction Documentation
Gross floor area: 2080m²
Client: ICNA Canada / Al Falah Islamic Centre
Architect: AXIA Design Associates
Project team: Chris Wong, Taymoore Balbaa, Mo Soroor, Ibrahim Brad Miles, Ayesha Moghal
Structural engineer: Blackwell Structural Engineers
Landscape architect: Large medium small Design office
Civil engineer: MTE Civil Engineers
MEP engineer: Racon Engineering Inc
To this end, our design focuses on key archetypes. Notably, a dome roof — comprised of intricate metal latticework in a pattern that AXIA created based on Islamic themes — arches over a double-height space in the masjid (prayer hall), allowing soft sunlight to filter down into this calm, austere space. Elegantly arched windows and a crescent-topped minaret, made of limestone and copper, offer additional touches of Islamic identity. Respecting the tradition of providing a separate prayer space for women, the proposal includes a dedicated female entrance and secluded prayer area, protected from the sun by mashrabiya screens, the latticework now modernized through laser-cut aluminum panels with brass finish. A reflecting pool outside the prayer hall completes this sacred setting. A new ablution station is centrally positioned to avoid the need to reconfigure the water system.