Arbre à Palabres
Completed (Temporary installation from 17th July 2021 - 9th of September 2021)
2021
Aedes Architecture Forum & Bookstore
AW Architektur und Wohnen
Fabiola Büchele, Kinan Deeb, Jeanne Autran-Edorh, Andrea Maretto, Fiona Cuypers-Stanienda, Alexandra Zervudachi
The temporary exhibition Arbre à Palabres presented planned and realised projects that illustrate how Kéré Architecture uses social, political and construction knowledge from across West Africa to arrive at designs that focus on a building’s purpose and the people who use it. The projects were presented in three categories: Civic Dialogue, Creative Exchange and Inspired Education.
Civic Dialogue brought together projects that explore ancient democratic practices of West African social structures. Inspired by the democratic practice of West African societies, dating back to pre-colonial times, of holding court, meetings and public conversations under a kapok tree, Kéré Architecture has designed civic and public structures allowing for a contemporary version of this practice.
Creative Exchange showcased spaces that facilitate a distinct kind of cultural dialogue found in traditional West African architecture. The very form of these building types foster a certain kind of conversation and throughout a variety of projects Kéré Architecture harnesses this ability of architecture to gently guide users into a certain type of behaviour to create contemporary spaces conducive to creative exchange.
Finally, Inspired Education addressed a cornerstone of Kéré Architecture’s practice – namely educational infrastructures that embrace good design as an integral part of the learning experience. The studio has been dedicated to designing educational infrastructure geared towards learning far beyond the content being taught since its very first building. And to do this following a building methodology aimed at creating a comfortable learning environment in terms of temperature and air quality while inspiring the mind to soar and the learners to dream.
The exhibition marked the first time Kéré Architecture’s work was exhibited in Berlin and was organised to celebrate the “Architect of the Year 2021” award to Francis Kéré by Architektur & Wohnen.
The temporary exhibition Arbre à Palabres presented planned and realised projects that illustrate how Kéré Architecture uses social, political and construction knowledge from across West Africa to arrive at designs that focus on a building’s purpose and the people who use it. The projects were presented in three categories: Civic Dialogue, Creative Exchange and Inspired Education.
Civic Dialogue brought together projects that explore ancient democratic practices of West African social structures. Inspired by the democratic practice of West African societies, dating back to pre-colonial times, of holding court, meetings and public conversations under a kapok tree, Kéré Architecture has designed civic and public structures allowing for a contemporary version of this practice.
Creative Exchange showcased spaces that facilitate a distinct kind of cultural dialogue found in traditional West African architecture. The very form of these building types foster a certain kind of conversation and throughout a variety of projects Kéré Architecture harnesses this ability of architecture to gently guide users into a certain type of behaviour to create contemporary spaces conducive to creative exchange.
Finally, Inspired Education addressed a cornerstone of Kéré Architecture’s practice – namely educational infrastructures that embrace good design as an integral part of the learning experience. The studio has been dedicated to designing educational infrastructure geared towards learning far beyond the content being taught since its very first building. And to do this following a building methodology aimed at creating a comfortable learning environment in terms of temperature and air quality while inspiring the mind to soar and the learners to dream.
The exhibition marked the first time Kéré Architecture’s work was exhibited in Berlin and was organised to celebrate the “Architect of the Year 2021” award to Francis Kéré by Architektur & Wohnen.
