Photo Gallery of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby, Canada

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All Images shown below are  from the Private Collection of Mr. Bruno Freschi, 1985. Photos by Mr. Gary Otte.
A Sketch of the Burnaby Darkhana Jamatkhana. Foundation Ceremony: July 26, 1982; Opening Date: August 23, 1985. The Aga Khan noted at the Foundation ceremony: "I succeeded my Grandfather to the office of Imam in 1957, and just two weeks ago on the 11th of July, I entered the twenty-fifth year of my Imamat. During the Jubilee year many new projects will be launched which will impact the material quality of the life of Ismailis and indeed of many others, in the fields of health, education, housing and rural development, particularly in the Third World...But this is the first project to be launched during this Jubilee year and it is very important that it is a place of worship."

A Sketch of the Burnaby Darkhana Jamatkhana. Foundation Ceremony: July 26, 1982; Opening Date: August 23, 1985; Floor Areas: Site 14172 square metres, area covered by building 3870 square metres, parking 134 spaces. The Aga Khan noted at the Foundation ceremony: "I succeeded my Grandfather to the office of Imam in 1957, and just two weeks ago on the 11th of July, I entered the twenty-fifth year of my Imamat. During the Jubilee year many new projects will be launched which will impact the material quality of the life of Ismailis and indeed of many others, in the fields of health, education, housing and rural development, particularly in the Third World...But this is the first project to be launched during this Jubilee year and it is very important that it is a place of worship."

 

Bruno Freschi (left) with Honourable Henry Bell-Irving and His Highness the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan in his speech said: "The new building will face stand in strongly landscaped surroundings. It will face a courtyard with fountains and a garden. Its scale, its proportions and the use of water will serve to create a serene and contemplative environment. This will be a place of congregation, of order, of peace, of prayer, of hope, of humility, and of brotherhood. From it should come forth those thoughts, those sentiments, those attitudes which bind men together and which unite."

Bruno Freschi (left) with Honourable Henry Bell-Irving and His Highness the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan in his speech said: "The new building will stand in strongly landscaped surroundings. It will face a courtyard with fountains and a garden. Its scale, its proportions and the use of water will serve to create a serene and contemplative environment. This will be a place of congregation, of order, of peace, of prayer, of hope, of humility, and of brotherhood. From it should come forth those thoughts, those sentiments, those attitudes which bind men together and which unite."

 

Architect Bruno Freschi at the foundation ceremony with distinguished guests, being explained the model of the Jamatkhana

Architect Bruno Freschi at the foundation ceremony with distinguished guests being explained the model of the Jamatkhana

 

The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre was opened by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan, on August 23, 1985. Bruno Freschi write: "I believe the ultimate purpose of the Jamatkhana is giving iconic foundation to the Ismaili community in Canada. Both His Highness's and the Prime Minister's comments in their speeches reflected this very Canadian idea."

The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre was opened by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in the presence of His Highness the Aga Khan, on August 23, 1985. Bruno Freschi writes: "I believe the ultimate purpose of the Jamatkhana is giving iconic foundation to the Ismaili community in Canada. Both His Highness's and the Prime Minister's comments in their speeches reflected this very Canadian idea."

 

Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby, Bird's View, 1985. The surronding area is now significantly different with new residential and commercial development. The picture provides a view of the five copper domes on the roof of the building.

Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby, Bird's View, 1985. The surrounding area is now significantly different with new residential and commercial development. The picture provides a view of the five copper domes on the roof of the building.

Bruno Freschi's Masterpiece - the Iconic Jamatkhana and Ismaili Centre Burnaby located on 4010 Canada Way, Burnaby (part of Greater Vancouver). Seen here from Curle Avenue.

Bruno Freschi's Masterpiece - the Iconic Jamatkhana and Ismaili Centre Burnaby located on 4010 Canada Way, Burnaby (part of Greater Vancouver). Seen here from Curle Avenue.

 

The Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby. Interior decorated in various different materials. Canada's newspaper, The Globe and Mail, in a story 'Spiritual Isles in an Urban Sea', published on August 16, 2007 wrote: "Following on the Ismaili Centre near the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England, Burnaby is home to the second of the major Jamatkhanas to be built in Western countries under the direction of the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the world's Ismaili community. Now known as the Darkhana Jamatkhana, it was designed by Telus Science Centre architect Bruno Freschi and completed in 1984. The Burnaby prayer hall is one of the most splendid contemporary interiors in British Columbia, with a powerfully expressed cast-concrete structure and richly ornamented window surrounds."

 
Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby, side elevation main windows at daylight. See night view in next picture.

Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby, side elevation main windows at daylight. See night view in next picture.

Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby. A side elevation window, in opalescent cast glass showing decorative patterns lit from within.

Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby. A side elevation window, in opalescent cast glass showing decorative patterns lit from within.

 

Says Bruno Freschi: "The Jamatkhana is a very special and uniquely spiritual building. Spiritual architecture is a unique design challenge because the architecture must be simultaneously an iconic, symbolic form, complete and unequivocal yet it must transform and become ephemeral...Calligraphy is incorporated throughout the building. The spiritual voice is reflected in the graphic designs on tile work, the glass windows, carpets and wood screens. Whilst abstract the calligraphy is both traditional and spiritually evocative."

Says Bruno Freschi: "The Jamatkhana is a very special and uniquely spiritual building. Spiritual architecture is a unique design challenge because the architecture must be simultaneously an iconic, symbolic form, complete and unequivocal yet it must transform and become ephemeral...Calligraphy is incorporated throughout the building. The spiritual voice is reflected in the graphic designs on tile work, the glass windows, carpets and wood screens. Whilst abstract the calligraphy is both traditional and spiritually evocative."

 

Says Bruno Freschi: "Geometry governs the entire site, the building. It is symbolized in the octagon, the 'mythical squaring of the circle'. The Octagon is omni-directional. All axial relationships are equal providing an open and non-hierarchical circulation: The centre is everywhere, and everyone is in the centre."

Says Bruno Freschi: "Geometry governs the entire site, the building. It is symbolized in the octagon, the 'mythical squaring of the circle'. The Octagon is omni-directional. All axial relationships are equal providing an open and non-hierarchical circulation: The centre is everywhere, and everyone is in the centre."

 

Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre: Embossed patterns in prayer hall carpet

Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre: Embossed patterns in prayer hall carpet

 

Says Bruno Freschi: "Materiality, the exposure of earth materials, concrete, sandstone, and marble gives a material presence and permancence, symbols of a 'timeless' foundation for the Ismaili community."

Says Bruno Freschi: "Materiality, the exposure of earth materials, concrete, sandstone, and marble gives a material presence and permanence, symbols of a 'timeless' foundation for the Ismaili community."

 
Says Bruno Freschi: "An example of 'going out' That ephemeral quality of spiritual space can be best seen in the calligraphy on the glazing of the windows. The glass is one inch thick providing acoustic insulation. The graphics are fired on both surfaces of the glass. Seen at an angle, the calligraphic images are dual and ambigious, they visually vibrate to the comtemplative viewer. This is 'signalectic' architecture, the threshold of the ephemeral sanctuary of spiritual space."

Says Bruno Freschi: "An example of 'going out' That ephemeral quality of spiritual space can be best seen in the calligraphy on the glazing of the windows. The glass is one inch thick providing acoustic insulation. The graphics are fired on both surfaces of the glass. Seen at an angle, the calligraphic images are dual and ambigious, they visually vibrate to the comtemplative viewer. This is 'signalectic' architecture, the threshold of the ephemeral sanctuary of spiritual space."

 

Says Bruno Freschi: "The Jamatkhana incorporates a powerful relentless set of elements. Architecture is the unity of these elements and principles expressed in the building structural narrative, a pattern of octagonal and domed structures giving the sense of unity and universallity."

Says Bruno Freschi: "The Jamatkhana incorporates a powerful relentless set of elements. Architecture is the unity of these elements and principles expressed in the building structural narrative, a pattern of octagonal and domed structures giving the sense of unity and universality."

 

His Highness the Aga Khan's handwritten message to Mr. Bruno Freschi

His Highness the Aga Khan's handwritten message to Mr. Bruno Freschi

 

His Highness the Aga Khan, on July 26, 1982, at the Foundation Ceremony: "In Islam man is answerable to God for whatever he has created and this is reflected in its architectural heritage. Many of the greatest architectural achievements in Islam were designed to reflect the promises of the life hereafter, to represent in this world what we are told of next. Since all that we see and do resonates on the faith the aesthetics of the environment we build and the quality of the social interactions that take place within these environments reverberate on our spiritual life. It is with this in mind that the Burnaby Jamat Khana has been conceived. It is with this in mind that the Burnaby Jamat Khana has been conceived"

His Highness the Aga Khan, on July 26, 1982, at the Foundation Ceremony: "In Islam man is answerable to God for whatever he has created and this is reflected in its architectural heritage. Many of the greatest architectural achievements in Islam were designed to reflect the promises of the life hereafter, to represent in this world what we are told of next. Since all that we see and do resonates on the faith the aesthetics of the environment we build and the quality of the social interactions that take place within these environments reverberate on our spiritual life. It is with this in mind that the Burnaby Jamat Khana has been conceived.

Note: The thumbnail gallery provides links to some additional pictures not shown above. The captions are available also in that gallery, so please do visit it:
♦ Voices: Thumbnail Photo Gallery of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Photo captions compiled by Simerg from various sources as indicated, including Mr. Freschi’s interview.

26 thoughts on “Photo Gallery of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Centre, Burnaby, Canada”

  2. The jamatkhana building is amazing. All members of Canada jamat are torch bearers for Ismailis all over. May Mawlana Hazar Imam keep you always happy.

    Reply

  4. I am glad I have found this website – it is wonderful. My best wishes and prayers to everyone. I note the oustanding contributions made by various individuals throughout our history, who dedicated their lives to serve the Jamat and the Imamat.
    Magnificent!! Very impressive.
    Nizar Merchant — Karachi, PAKISTAN

    Reply

  5. Ya Ali Madad

    My Mawla, please come to Pakistan soon. My Mawla means everything to me and he is so so good.

    Reply

  10. I love you my dear Mawlana Shah Karim, our beloved 49th Imam. Inshallah, we will have beautiful Jamatkhanas in Afghanistan too. I would like to say congratulations to my Ismaili brethern all around the world.

    Reply

  14. Ya Ali Madad,

    Its very nice and quite spiritual to go to Jamatkhana and pray. It gives deep happiness to us and Imam gives us barakah. I love you my dear Imam, I love you so much.

    Reply

  15. I am glad I have found this website – it is wonderful. I love to go to Jamatkhana and pray. In doing this, I receive the Blessings of the Imam – he gives us barakah and immense happiness in our lives. My best wishes and prayers to everyone.

    Reply

  16. The Jamatkhana, a place of worship for Ismaili Muslims, generates immense happiness within everyone’s hearts. The blessings of the Imam of the time are with each one of his Murids. May that Barakah keep us all on the path of Sirat-al Mustaqim.

    Reply

  17. I note the oustanding contributions made by various individuals throughout our history, who dedicated their lives to serve the Jamat and the Imamat. Ismailis and non-Ismailis today continue to play a very important part in the work of the Imamat in a multitude of ways, as we see on this web site. I convey my best wishes and prayers to all of them. I am glad that I have found this website – it very nice. Thank you.

    Reply

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