Aga Khan Centre, The Islamic Gardens at King's Cross

The site was formerly part of the extensive King's Cross railway lands, prior to which there were fields in this area, with brick fields and tile kilns set up in the C18th. King's Cross Goods Station opened in 1850, with King's Cross Passenger Station opening 2 years later and St Pancras Station built in 1865-69. The Metropolitan Railway opened on 10 January 1863 with stations at Paddington (Bishop's Road), Edgware Road, Baker Street, Portland Road (now Great Portland Street), Gower Street (now Euston Square), King's Cross and Farringdon Street (now Farringdon), becoming the first underground railway in the world. Between King's Cross and St Pancras stations and the land to the north the area was used for goods handling, and the King’s Cross Goods Depot played an important role in coal supply and provisioning London, primarily from the eastern parts of the country served by the East Coast Main Line and its branch lines. However in the C20th with goods increasingly transported by road rather than rail, this area became redundant and desolate. In 1966 the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act was passed, leading to further development here, with St Pancras becoming an international terminus and new facilities provided at King's Cross. Following their completion, the railway lands to the north were designated as a major development opportunity. Over many years a series of schemes were proposed and came to nothing, until 2007 when Argent LLP's development scheme with master planners  Allies and Morrison, Demetri Porphyrios and Townshend Landscape Architects was approved. Known as King's Cross Central (KXC), Argent's scheme includes new public routes and open spaces, with 10 new privately owned public spaces covering 3.2ha. These include Granary Square, Station Square, Pancras Square, Cubitt Square and North Square as well as 2.6ha of new public realm including along the Regent's Canal.

The Aga Khan Centre was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales (King Charles III) on 26 June 2018 at a ceremony hosted by His Highness the Aga Khan IV, its inauguration marking the 60th anniversary of his accession to the leadership of the Shi'a Ismaili Muslims, of which he is the hereditary spiritual leader. The Aga Khan had founded the 3 organisations based in the Centre: the Aga Khan Foundation (UK), established in 1967, Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations established in 2002, and The Institute of Ismaili Studies, established in 1977. Designed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, the presitigious centre was set up as a place for education, knowledge, cultural exchange and insight into Muslim civilisations. Also located here, The Aga Khan Centre Gallery hosts events, exhibitions and talks that are open to the public and there are regular tours of the Centre and its gardens.

The incorporation of Islamic gardens into the building was central, and there are six gardens representing different parts of the Islamic heritage, which are also open-air rooms, with the boundaries between inside and outside blurred. The Garden of Tranquility, the Terrace of Learning, the Courtyard of Harmony, and the Terrace of Discovery were designed by Maki & Associates; the Garden of Life was designed by Madison Cox; and the Garden of Light was designed by Nelson Byrd Woltz. In the students' accommodation at Victoria Hall are two further gardens: the Garden of Reflection and the Terrace of Unity, designed by Vladimir Djurovic Landscape Architecture. The sheltered Garden of Tranquility is a 3-sided enclosed space that overlooks Jellicoe Gardens. 

Islamic gardens come in many different types, styles, shapes and sizes with most containing plants and flowers for shade, colour and scent. Other characteristic features include water, geometrical patterns, architectural elements and hard surfaces, arranged symmetrically. The chahar bagh (gardens divided into four parts by water channels or pathways and reflecting the four gardens of Paradise mentioned in the Qur’an) is a common layout. While many Islamic gardens share these features, they vary across different regions in response to local climatic conditions, architectural styles and cultures. Each roof garden, terrace and courtyard here echoes Islamic architectural and garden styles, and these contemporary landscaped spaces represent the diversity of Muslim cultures around the world and over time. The modestly-sized but beautiful spaces range from contemplative and secluded spaces to open and social places. Together with the newly created public gardens nearby, Jellicoe Gardens and Lewis Cubitt Square, they form a ‘ribbon’ of green spaces. These garden spaces at the Aga Khan Centre are only open to the public for tours.

Near the Aga Khan Centre are two new public gardens, Jellicoe Gardens  and Lewis Cubitt Park (q.q.v.). Jellicoe Gardens is a public garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and Townshend Landscape Architects; Lewis Cubitt Park and Lewis Cubitt Square, designed by Olin and Townshend Landscape Architects. They were commissioned by King's Cross Central Limited Partnership and Aga Khan Development Network.