As a native of Burkina Faso, Francis Kere grew up with many challenges and few resources. When he was a child, he travelled nearly 40 kilometers to the next village in order to attend a school with poor lighting and ventilation. The experience of trying to learn in this oppressive environment affected him so much that when he began to study architecture in Europe, he decided to reinvest his knowledge towards building a new school in his home village. With the support of his community and funds raised through his foundation, Schulbausteine fuer Gando (Bricks for Gando,) Francis began construction of the Primary School, his very first building.

© Sime?on Duchoud

Architects: Kéré Architecture
Location: Gando, Burkina Faso

Architect In Charge: Diébédo Francis Kéré

Client: Schulbausteine fuer Gando / Gando Village Community

Area: 310.0 sqm

Project Year: 2001

Photographs: Sime?on Duchoud, Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

© Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk

From the architect. As a native of Burkina Faso, Francis Kere grew up with many challenges and few resources. When he was a child, he travelled nearly 40 kilometers to the next village in order to attend a school with poor lighting and ventilation. The experience of trying to learn in this oppressive environment affected him so much that when he began to study...