Architec Francis Kéré placed the importance of education in fighting poverty and viewed school construction as an important step in this process. He advocated for modern and traditional techniques in building schools, believing that this empowers local communities and utilizes local resources.

In Burkina Faso, illiteracy and poverty are common occurrences, leading to challenges in construction. Despite limited resources, people often replicate neighboring structures, while modest expectations regarding construction quality are evident.

Kéré's innovative approach to architecture involves integrating local materials and techniques with modern technologies such as mud and bricks, combined with modern techniques to increase the efficiency of such a structure. He showcased his primary school project in Gando, where he used locally sourced clay reinforced for durability. The school's design uses a tin roof with overhangs to protect against rain and facilitate natural ventilation.

In addition to using local materials, Kéré emphasizes community engagement and resourcefulness. He established a nonprofit organization, "Bricks for the Gando School," to raise funds for school construction projects. For a secondary school in Dano, Kéré utilized laterite, a locally abundant iron-rich soil, to create durable building blocks.

Kéré's work goes beyond Burkina Faso, with projects in various countries showcasing his commitment to sustainable and community-driven design. Despite his global reach, Kéré remains dedicated to his core architectural principles, emphasizing the importance of doing "more for less."[1]

The Gando Primary School aims to address the area's shortage of schools by tackling some of the common issues, such as  lighting and ventilation. Francis Kéré came up with an affordable solution using locally abundant clay to create sturdy bricks that provide thermal insulation. To prevent overheating, the school's roof extends beyond the interior, introducing a dry-stacked brick ceiling, which enhances ventilation. This innovative approach reduces the need for air-conditioning and is supported by active community involvement and the Kéré Foundation E.V. [2]

Francis Kéré designed a solution for the Gando Primary School that took into account factors like cost, climate, resource availability, and construction feasibility. He used a clay/cement hybrid to create strong and durable bricks that also provide thermal protection against the hot climate. To protect the walls from damaging rains, an overhanging roof was added. In Burkina Faso, corrugated metal roofs are commonly used, but they absorb direct sunlight and overheat the interior of the buildings. Kéré solved this problem by introducing a dry-stacked brick ceiling between the roof and the learning space of the school's interior. This allows for maximum ventilation, which significantly reduces the ecological footprint of the school by eliminating the need for air-conditioning. For this project, traditional building techniques and modern engineering methods were combined to create the best quality building solution while simplifying construction and future maintenance. The success of the project was due in large part to the involvement of the local population in the building process. With the support of his community and funds raised through Kéré Foundation e.V., Kéré was able to realize his first building and mark the beginning of Kéré Architecture and ongoing collaboration with his community in Gando through the Kéré Foundation E.V. [3]

In terms of context of research, local resource utilization, problem-centered design, innovative design solutions, community involvement, and holistic sustainability - prioritize practical, contextually relevant solutions that integrate social, economic, and environmental considerations. By leveraging locally abundant materials, directly addressing specific challenges, introducing creative solutions, actively engaging the local community, and prioritizing ecological considerations, these approaches serve as valuable guides into building a space that is not only environmentally sustainable, but also takes into consideration the needs of the children, educators, and the community.

1. Harvardgazette. “Thinking Local.” Harvard Gazette, November 14, 2011. https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/11/thinking-local/.

2. “Kéré: Work.” Kéré | Work. Accessed March 29, 2024. https://www.kerearchitecture.com/work/building/gando-primary-school-3.

3. Moma | small scale, big change | primary school. Accessed March 30, 2024. https://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2010/smallscalebigchange/projects/primary_school.html.
4. “Francis Kéré Interview: The Architect’s Hometown School Launched His Career | Architecture | Dezeen.” YouTube, October 24, 2017. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2zQjZTzpK8&t=2s.