达喀尔歌德学院新中心丨塞内加尔达喀尔丨Kéré Architecture

Kéré Architecture breaks ground on new Goethe Institute center in Dakar

Rendering by Kéré Architecture

Senegal

is taking a big step towards

further establishing itself

as an architectural capital thanks to

Francis Kéré’s

design for the Goethe Institute that has officially broken ground in Dakar.

The 56-year-old architect was on hand Wednesday for a ceremony which included German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the Goethe Institute’s Carola Lentz.

Exterior view of the Goethe Institute. Rendering by Goethe Institute.

Speaking at the ceremony, the architect mentioned the shared values that both he and the Institute share, stating that his climate-oriented approach to the project was met with an “open and sympathetic” response that encouraged him to “take things further” in a collaborative effort later outlined by Steinmeier.

Architect Francis Kéré, the Senegalese artist Baaba Mal, Senegalese Minister of Town Planning and Public Hygiene Abdoulaye Saydou Sow, and Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Image courtesy Goethe Institute.

“I am optimistic that Africa and Europe can together face the great challenges of today,” the politician said. “I am convinced that we can learn a lot from each other. We need ideas and experiences from our two continents. The new Goethe Institute will be a shining example of exactly that.”

Kéré's sketch of classrooms and library at the Institute. Image courtesy Kéré Architecture.

Construction will last until the end of next year, with the final product taking form as a compact two-story space education and public programming composed of local laterite brick and held up underneath an accessible rooftop by pillars that are meant to mimic the surrounding area’s canopy of trees.

The entrance to the Institute. Rendering by Kéré Architecture.

Classroom. Rendering by Kéré Architecture.

The project is likely to be an instant contender for several of the industry’s leading awards considering Kéré’s recent output of

recent superlative designs

that have provided

similar examples

of innovations in the use of

select materials

and

cultural typologies

. Lentz called a milestone on this difficult but necessary path to a more sustainable world.” Archinect will share additional project updates as they become available.