“Architecture is much more than art. And it is by far more than just building buildings” says architect Diébédo Francis Kéré from Burkina Faso, interviewed by Marc-Christoph Wagner, in this interview about his architectural philosophy. In the latest video from Louisiana Channel, Berlin-based Francis Kéré deliberates on the purpose of architecture in a changing society and the influence exerted by his home nation, Burkina Faso.
In his works, Kére chooses to work with local materials - wood and clay - although his buildings must have a modern articulation. The local community very often identify traditional materials with a premodern stage of development.
Involving people means teaching them modern building skills, which they, later on, will need to maintain the building. Besides that, local materials are ideal in confronting the climatic challenges of the region: Clay keeps the heat out of the building and stabilizes the temperature inside, which is "better than artificial climatization", Kéré says. "If we learn to build with local materials, we have a future. Architecture can bring a lot to a local society like mine. Architecture makes people proud, simply proud. And that can generate a lot of energy."
CREDITS.
Diébédo Francis Kéré was interviewed by Marc-Christoph Wagner.
Camera.- Klaus Elmer
Editing by Kamilla Bruus
Produced by Marc-Christoph Wagner
Copyright.- Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2014.
Supported by Nordea Fonden.
