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

Francis Kéré, Lycée Schorge Secondary School, Koudougou, Burkina Faso, 2016
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, Opera Village Phase I, Laongo, Burkina Faso, 2010
Courtesy Francis Kéré

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

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

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