Kéré Architecture has released visuals of the National Assembly of Benin, which has been designed to "express the democratic values and identity" of the country.
The Benin parliament building, which is set to be built in the country's capital Porto-Novo, will be top-heavy to mimic the form of tree canopies by providing shade to public spaces around its edge.
Kéré Architecture modelled Benin parliament on a palaver tree
It was designed by Kéré Architecture to pay homage to palaver trees ? the trees used by generations of west African communities as accessible places to host public gatherings and make communal decisions.
According to the studio, the main aim of the building to "embody and express the democratic values and identity of the people of Benin". It will resemble a tree canopy
"The Benin National Assembly marks an important next step for our studio," said the studio's founder, Francis Kéré.
"This project gives shape to our ideas about community gathering, the importance of indigenous forms of governance and what contemporary African architecture can be on a national scale," he explained.
"I am honoured by the trust that has been placed in us, and am grateful that together we can build a new house of democracy for the Republic of Benin."
Its centrepiece will be Benin parliament's assembly hall
The centrepiece of the National Assembly of Benin will be its main assembly hall, which will be positioned at ground l...