Ismaili Cultural Center

The Ismaili Center in Houston was envisioned as a landmark religious and cultural space of global significance. As only the seventh Ismaili Center in the world and the first to be built in the United States, the project demanded an exceptional level of precision, coordination, and finish quality. The design featured complex architectural geometry and a wide range of scopes across multiple levels, including exterior framing, interior partitions, ceilings, fireproofing, and insulation systems. Delivering consistency across these systems while meeting strict aesthetic and performance expectations required disciplined planning and careful execution. 

MAREK partnered with McCarthy and DLR Group to deliver a comprehensive scope that included prefabrication, exterior cold-formed metal framing, interior drywall partitions, ceilings and soffits, fireproofing, spray foam installation at Level 3, and insulation at Levels 2 through 5. The team relied on VDC for layout verification and coordination, allowing complex conditions to be resolved early and reducing risk during installation. Regular coordination meetings supported alignment across trades, while prefabricated jigs and PanelMax systems were used to ensure consistency, efficiency, and quality throughout construction.

Careful substrate preparation and close attention to detail were essential to meeting the project’s high finish standards and architectural intent. By combining prefabrication, digital coordination, and precise field execution, MAREK delivered systems that aligned with the design vision and performance requirements. 

The result is a thoughtfully executed religious and cultural center that reflects craftsmanship, precision, and respect for its global and community significance. MAREK’s work contributed to a space that honors its place among the world’s Ismaili Centers while establishing a meaningful presence as the first of its kind in the United States.