Pritzker Prize 2022 goes to Francis Kéré

The Pritzker Foundation announced today that the world’s highest honor for architecture will be awarded to Diébédo Francis Kéré, the first African to win it.

Diébédo Francis Kéré, architect, educator and social activist, has been selected as the 2022 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The most prestigious architecture prize has been awarded to the Burkina Faso-born architect, for his socially engaged projects, ranging from educational institutions to healthcare facilities.

Francis Kéré, Opera Village Phase I, Laongo, Burkina Faso, 2010

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Startup Lions Campus, Turkana County, Kenya, 2021

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Startup Lions Campus, Turkana County, Kenya, 2021

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Startup Lions Campus, Turkana County, Kenya, 2021

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Serpentine Pavilion, London, United Kingdom, 2017

Photo Iwan Baan  

Francis Kéré, Serpentine Pavilion, London, United Kingdom, 2017

Photo Iwan Baan  

Francis Kéré, Serpentine Pavilion, London, United Kingdom, 2017

Photo Francis Kéré  

Francis Kéré, Lycée Schorge Secondary School, Koudougou, Burkina Faso, 2016

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Sarbalé Ke, California, United States, 2019

Photo Iwan Baan  

Francis Kéré, Sarbalé Ke, California, United States, 2019

Photo Iwan Baan  

Francis Kéré, Gando Primary School, Gando, Burkina Faso, 2001

Photo Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk  

Francis Kéré, Gando Primary School, Gando, Burkina Faso, 2001

Photo Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk  

Francis Kéré, Gando Primary School, Gando, Burkina Faso, 2001

Photo Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk  

Francis Kéré, National Park of Mali, Bamako, Mali, 2010

Photo Iwan Baan

Francis Kéré, National Park of Mali, Bamako, Mali, 2010

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Lycée Schorge Secondary School, Koudougou, Burkina Faso, 2016

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Léo Doctors’ Housing, Léo, Burkina Faso, 2019

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Léo Doctors’ Housing, Léo, Burkina Faso, 2019

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Centre for Health and Social Welfare, Laongo, Burkina Faso, 2014

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Centre for Health and Social Welfare, Laongo, Burkina Faso, 2014

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Centre for Health and Social Welfare, Laongo, Burkina Faso, 2014

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Burkina Faso National Assembly, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in progress

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Burkina Faso National Assembly, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in progress

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Burkina Institute of Technology Phase I, Koudougou, Burkina Faso, 2020

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Burkina Institute of Technology Phase I, Koudougou, Burkina Faso, 2020

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Burkina Institute of Technology Phase I, Koudougou, Burkina Faso, 2020

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Benin National Assembly, Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin, in progress

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Benin National Assembly, Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin, in progress

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Benga Riverside School, Tete, Mozambique, 2018

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Benga Riverside School, Tete, Mozambique, 2018

Courtesy Francis Kéré

Francis Kéré, Xylem, Montana, United States, 2019

Photo Iwan Baan

Francis Kéré, Xylem, Montana, United States, 2019

Photo Iwan Baan

“Francis Kéré is pioneering architecture - sustainable to the earth and its inhabitants - in lands of extreme scarcity . He is equally architect and servant, improving upon the lives and experiences of countless citizens in a region of the world that is at times forgotten”, says the Pritzker jury. “Through buildings that demonstrate beauty, modesty, boldness and invention, and by the integrity of his architecture and geste, Kéré gracefully upholds the mission of this Prize”.

Born in Gando and living in Berlin, the architect is known for architecture that transforms communities through the design process. Through his social commitment and skilful use of local materials to connect and respond to the natural climate, he works in marginalised countries fraught with constraints and adversity, lacking in public architecture and infrastructure.

Francis Kéré, Primary School Extension, Gando, Burkina Faso. Photo @ Erik-Jan Owerkerk

Opening image: Diébédo Francis Kéré, portrait. Photo @ Lars Borges