Pinakothek der Moderne

Born in Burkina Faso, the Berlin architect Francis Kéré is a leading figure in socially engaged building design – a movement that has in recent years attracted increasing levels of interest. As well as using locally sourced materials, Kéré ensures that the people who ultimately use his buildings are involved in the planning and construction process, and works from designs that place significant emphasis upon environmental and social sustainability. The internationally prestigious Aga Khan Award, which Kéré won in 2004 for a primary school he designed in his home village of Gando, heralded a series of building projects and architectural prizes. In Germany, he is well known for his work with the director Christoph Schilingensief on the Opera Village in Burkina Faso, while his design for the Mama Sarah Obama Legacy Campus in Kogelo, Kenya, brought him to the attention of an international audience. Moreover, he has for some time also been involved in projects outside Africa. Just recently Kéré has been awarded a number of commissions in Europe, winning competitions in Germany for urban renewal projects in Münster and Mannheim. The Architekturmuseum der TU München will be holding the first monographic exhibition of Kéré's work (including his most recent projects), which aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the career of surely one of the most important architects working today.