As the sun bore down mercilessly, turning the classroom into an oven, the students sat cramped on wooden benches. The students sat so tight that even sunlight couldn?t find space inside the room; it tried to slip in through the cracks, but that wasn?t enough! Half of the kids were already distracted, and the ones who wanted to reach the alphabet being taught to them could only focus on the sweat trickling down their foreheads and burning their eyes.

Berlin was, perhaps, a world away from Gando, a city where opportunity seemed boundless. Here, learning the craft of carpentry, and shaping wood into roofs and furniture, K?r? attended evening classes. It was in this city that his vision for his homeland began to take shape?a vision that would soon manifest in his first major project.

And so his journey began, with a simple yet profound mission: to empower his homeland using the power of architecture. His first project, the Gando Primary School, materialized even before he completed his architectural studies. A testament to his commitment, the design utilized local materials and the collective effort of the community.

As the people gathered around, amazed, no, appalled; was he really suggesting they use clay? All those years in Berlin, he surely must have learned about other materials! Why does he want them to work with clay, then? It doesn?t last! And where is the progress? Clay is dirt, and people need to feel new and good. ?I will now put this brick in this bucket of water. Five days later, if it is still solid when I take it out, I hope it will make you believe in my idea.?

The school, initially designed to serve 150 children, has since expanded to accommodate around 700 students. It stands not just as a structure, but as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of education.

K?r??s designs are characterised by their passive and traditional design elements, offering comfortable spaces with minimal energy usage. His approach to architecture is deeply rooted in the belief that buildings should serve the people, crafted with local materials and local hands. This philosophy is evident in projects like the National Park of Mali in Bamako, with structures clad in natural stone designed to provide ample shaded areas, and the Centre de Sante et de Promotion Sociale in Burkina Faso?s Opera Village Another notable project is the Lyc?e Schorge Secondary School, designed for a site on the outskirts of Koudougou. Comprised of nine connected modules arranged in a C-shape formation, it reflects K?r??s vision for educational spaces.

In the heart of London, K?r??s Serpentine Pavilion rises like a great tree; its canopy offers shelter and a space for contemplation. It was a piece of Africa in a foreign land, inviting everyone to gather under its branches. This project, like many others, reflects his belief that architecture should be in harmony with nature and accessible to all.

Today, K?r??s impact extends far beyond the borders of Burkina Faso. His approach to using local materials and community-engaged processes has influenced architectural practices worldwide, promoting sustainability and social responsibility in building designs. His work has been recognized with the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 2022, highlighting his contributions to the field and his unique ability to combine ethical commitment, environmental efficiency, and aesthetic quality. Francis K?r??s life and work demonstrate that sustainability in architecture doesn?t require high-tech solutions. Instead, empathy and consideration are sufficient to drive meaningful change. Through his projects, K?r? shows that sustainable architecture is about more than just buildings?it?s about nurturing communities and fostering a harmonious relationship with the environment.

---

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Di%C3%A9b%C3%A9do_Francis_K%C3%A9r%C3%A9
• https://www.archdaily.com/978508/who-is-diebedo-francis-kere-15-things-to-know-about-the-2022-pritzker-architecture-laureate
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD23gIlr52Y&pp=ygUMZnJhbmNpcyBrZXJl
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvG4d5zVf84&pp=ygUMZnJhbmNpcyBrZXJl
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fv9kd3amMI&pp=ygUMZnJhbmNpcyBrZXJl