DIÉBÉDO FRANCIS KÉRÉ RECEIVES THE 2022 PRITZKER ARCHITECTURE PRIZE
Diébédo Francis Kéré , architect , educator and social activist , has been selected as the 2022 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize , announced Tom Pritzker , Chairman of The Hyatt Foundation , which sponsors the award that is regarded internationally as architecture ’ s highest honour .
“ I am hoping to change the paradigm , push people to dream and undergo risk . It is not because you are rich that you should waste material . It is not because you are poor that you should not try
Diébédo Francis Kéré to create quality ,” says Kéré .
“ Everyone deserves quality , everyone deserves luxury , and everyone deserves comfort . We are interlinked and concerns in climate , democracy and scarcity are concerns for us all .”
Born in Gando , Burkina Faso and based in Berlin , Germany , the architect known as Francis Kéré empowers and transforms communities through the process of architecture . Through his commitment to social justice and engagement , and intelligent use of local materials to connect and respond to the natural climate , he works in marginalised countries laden with constraints and adversity , where architecture and infrastructure are absent . Building contemporary school institutions , health
facilities , professional housing , civic buildings and public spaces , oftentimes in lands where resources are fragile and fellowship is vital , the expression of his works exceeds the value of a building itself .
The Citation continues , “ In a world in crisis , amidst changing values and generations , he reminds us of what has been , and will undoubtedly continue to be a cornerstone of architectural practice : a sense of community and narrative quality , which he himself is so able to recount with compassion and pride . In this he provides a narrative in which architecture can become a source of continued and lasting happiness and joy .”
“ 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 ,” comments Pritzker . “ 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 .”
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