The Don Mills Jamatkhana redefines what constitutes “highest and best use” in Toronto’s suburban neighbourhoods. When complete, it will mark the site of the first Ismaili prayer hall in Ontario and celebrate more than 50 years since the first immigration of Ismailis to the Greater Toronto Area. It will reinforce the work of a vital community gathering place, offering a model for expressive, flexible community facilities outside the dense street grid of the old City of Toronto.
The layout and design apply Modernist idioms to the rich design traditions of Islamic architecture and landscape, and expresses, formally but humanely, a message of inclusion and pluralism. The organization of program and circulation is inspired by the form language of Islamic calligraphy, and its interplay of horizontal and vertical elements.
Bio a—A is a design practice based in Toronto engaged in the act of city building, providing full architectural services across a wide range of contexts, scales and building types—from schools, galleries and cultural centres, to affordable housing and mixed-use developments, to urban parks and civic precincts. We work with clients and collaborators in Canada, the United States, and Europe. We are designers, researchers and urbanists who care about the city, and take care to create spaces that give meaning and invention to the ways we live and work.
Other prizes 2024 Gold Nugget Grand Award for Best Custom Home: Escarpment House 2023 Architecture MasterPrize Award for Conceptual Architecture: Don Mills Jamatkhana and Ismaili Community Centre 2023 Architecture MasterPrize Award for Adaptive Re-Use: The Museum of Contemporary Art_Toronto | Tower Automotive Building 2023 Canadian Architect Magazine Award of Excellence: Don Mills Jamatkhana and Ismaili Community Centre 2023 P/A Awards - Religious: Don Mills Jamatkhana and Ismaili Community Centre 2023 Chicago Athanaeum Green Good Design Award: Loblaws Groceteria Warehouse Adaptive Re-Use 2023 Toronto IES Illumination Section Award for Outdoor Lighting Design: Loblaws Groceteria Warehouse Adaptive Re-Use 2022 Faith & Form Magazine Award for Religious Architecture - Unbuilt: Don Mills Jamatkhana and Ismaili Community Centre 2021 Architizer A+ Awards Finalist: Harbour Plaza 2021 City of Toronto Urban Design Award of Merit: Loblaws Groceterial Warehouse Adaptive Re-Use 2021 Canadian Brownfields Network Brownie Awards of Excellence: Museum of contemporary Art_Toronto Canada 2021 Canadian Brownfields Network Brownie Awards of Excellence Finalist: Loblaws Groceteria Warehouse Adaptive Re-Use 2020 Canadian Architect Magazine Award of Excellence: West Don Lands Block 8 [Maple House at Canary Landing] 2019 Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals Award of Merit: Museum of Contemporary Art_Toronto Canada 2019 Ontario Concrete Awards Material Development and Innovation Award: Tower at Pier 27 2017 Urban Land Institute Global Award of Excellence: West Don Lands, including Canary District | Pan/Parapan American Games Athlete’s Village 2017 City of Toronto Urban Design Award of Excellence for Building in Context Private/Mid-Rise/Residential: 383 Sorauren 2017 City of Toronto Urban Design Award of Excellence for Public Spaces: ÏCE Condominiums at York Centre 2016 Canadian Brownfields Network Brownie Awards of Excellence: Canary District
