Diébédo Francis Kéré: How to build with clay... and community

How Architecture Transformed My Community

Introduction to Personal Journey

• The speaker introduces their experience of how architecture has positively impacted their community in Burkina Faso, a country identified as one of the poorest globally.

• Born in Gando, the speaker describes a childhood devoid of basic amenities like electricity, clean water, and education. At age seven, they left home for schooling.

Challenges Faced

• The speaker recounts attending a crowded classroom with over 150 students and highlights ongoing issues in Burkina Faso such as lack of electricity and clean water.

• Despite these challenges, the speaker received a scholarship to study architecture in Germany, recognizing this opportunity as a significant privilege.

Vision for Change

• Motivated by their educational privilege, the speaker aimed to create better opportunities for children in Gando by building a school.

• Fundraising efforts began while still a student; after two years of hard work and persuasion among peers, they raised $50,000.

Community Engagement

• Initial skepticism arose from villagers regarding using clay for construction due to concerns about durability during rainy seasons.

• Through dialogue and engagement with the community members—both men and women—the speaker successfully gained support for the project.

Construction Process

• The school was built collaboratively using traditional techniques; local materials were utilized effectively to create comfortable learning environments despite extreme temperatures.

• The completed school remains functional after 12 years and is cherished by both students and the community.

Expansion Projects

• Following the success of the initial school project, additional projects emerged including an extension to the school that involved innovative clay vault construction methods.

• A library was also constructed using locally available clay pots creatively integrated into design for ventilation and light.

Recent Innovations

• The latest initiative involves constructing a high school utilizing mud casting techniques similar to concrete casting.

• Emphasizing community training is crucial; locals are taught skills necessary for construction so they can continue building independently when needed.

Conclusion: Resilience Against Nature's Challenges

• Rain poses challenges but also provides essential materials (sand/gravel), which are used post-rainfall for continued building efforts.

Gando's Transformation: Community Empowerment Through Local Work

The Impact of Local Employment

• A resident from Gando emphasizes the importance of local work, stating that despite challenges, they are still alive and thriving. This has allowed community members to utilize their skills for self-sustenance.

• Traditionally, young men from Gando had to migrate to cities or even leave the country for work, often never returning. Now, they can find employment on local building sites, which strengthens the community by allowing them to support their families without leaving.

• The speaker reflects on personal growth and recognition through this work but highlights that his motivation stems from a deep connection to his community. He recalls returning home during holidays as a child and feeling the love and support from the women in Gando.