“A structure of grace, warmth and sophistication, in sympathy with the local climate and culture. The practical and the poetic are fused. [It] inspires pride and instills hope in its community, laying the foundations for the advancement of a people.”(Philippa Baker, The Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2004)



Burkina Faso is amongst the poorest countries in the world. With an illiteracy rate of over 80 % the majority of its people have no alternatives to agriculture as a living. The village Gando - 3000 inhabitants - is situated 124 km from Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou. Born here as the son of the headman, Mr. Keré was the first to study abroad. He reinvested his knowledge as an architect into the urgently needed construction of a new school in his home village.



Guided by principles of sustainable development, Mr. Kéré stressed the importance of the use of clay as one of the main building materials. Clay has become known as “the material of the poor.” It is cheap and readily available, but used in traditional building methods it is unstable and performed poorly compared to more expensive, imported materials. The Gando School project taught the local people how to refine clay and local materials, and how different construction techniques could further improve the performance.



The structure of the building is designed to be aesthetically uplifting, while optimizing protection against the harsh climatic conditions. Therefore the building is aligned from east to west. The floor plan consists of three rectangle volumes holding up to 50 students each. The classrooms are arranged linearly, separated by covered areas for recreation and outdoor lessons.



The densely packed clay blocks of the walls and ceiling help moderating the room temperature. Elegantly simple slats at the windows combine shade and ventilation. This way the rooms are light-flooded but aired.



A ring beam both links the classrooms and provides the structural base for the roof of corrugated metal sheeting. The ring bears at each end on columns of clay blocks with rounded edges to avoid students getting injured.



Steel supports lift the roof structure above the ceiling, creating spaces through which cooling air flows freely. The walls are shaded from both sun and torrential rain by the overhanging roof.



Opened in 2001, the school counts more than 350 pupils. Impressed by the building, the local government readily agreed to fund teachers’ salaries. The construction of teachers’ accommodation, with standards to match the school building, followed the school. The school not only provides education for the village children, but is used to pass on new skills and knowledge to the entire community.



Growing numbers of students effected the necessity of a school extension. The new complex will be completed in the end of 2007.

Location