Manifesting Light: Designing the Aga Khan Museum

Before the Aga Khan Museum became a landmark in Toronto, it started with a letter about light.In this episode of This Being Human, host Mai Habib sits down with principal architect Gary Kamemoto, who led the Museum’s design alongside the late Fumihiko Maki. He shares how that single idea—light—shaped everything, from the building’s geometry and materials to the way you move through the space.Along the way, you get a closer look at the thinking behind the Aga Khan Museum’s architecture, and how it draws on Islamic design and ideas of pluralism to create something that feels both timeless and distinctly contemporary.Gary also gets into the details you’d likely miss on a first visit: patterns that shift with the sun, geometry hiding in plain sight, and a subtle architectural tribute woven into the building itself—details that, once you know they’re there, change how you see it.*The Museum wishes to thank Nadir and Shabin Mohamed for their founding support of This Being Human.*Links & Resources:This was just one example of Muslim art that sparked curiosity and a great conversation. There is so much more to see at the Aga Khan Museum. Support the museum's vision to impact lives and contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies. Go to agakhanmuseum.org to plan your visit or make a donation.Read more from Gary Kamemoto on the partnership between Maki and Associates and the AKDNCheck out this episode in full video.Key Moments[0:10] Introduction to This Being Human and the Aga Khan Museum as an architectural masterpiece[1:16] Gary Kamemoto on his background and navigating identity between cultures[3:46] The origin story: from the Delegation Building to the museum project[6:58] Working with His Highness the Aga Khan as a patron of architecture[8:56] The “letter about light” as an unconventional design brief[11:37] Reimagining the 17-acre site: why the garden—not the building—became central[18:38] Pluralism as process: translating philosophy into physical space[23:20] Designing for discovery: how the museum reveals itself over time[27:42] Hidden details: symbolism, geometry, and the significance of the number seven[31:18] Closing reflections on legacy, collaboration, and the museum’s ongoing life Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.