Diébédo Francis Kéré is the Bauhaus Guest Professor for the 2021/2022 Winter Semester.

Holistic methods, circular economy, modification of materials - these are just some of the various topics that Prof. Kéré will bring to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar during his guest professorship, and on which he will exchange ideas with students, lecturers and staff. Also central to his work is the focus on locality, reflected not only in his predilection for using local materials like clay or wood, but also in the participation of the local population.

»We are overjoyed that we were able to secure Prof. Kéré for the Bauhaus guest professorship this semester«, expressed university President Prof. Dr. Winfried Speitkamp. »Prof. Kéré is not only a globally recognised expert on sustainable architecture - he is also extraordinarily inspiring as a person. Especially in view of the Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus proclaimed by the European Commission, we are anticipating new and refreshing perspectives. We are extremely excited.«

Diébédo Francis Kéré first drew attention to his visionary work as an architect when he designed the Gando Primary School in his hometown in Burkina Faso and got the locals involved in the construction. He was still studying at the Technical University of Berlin at that time and was awarded the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture for his work. In 2005 he established the architectural office »Kéré Architecture«.

Since then, Prof. Kéré has become one of the most important contemporary architects internationally; his work is inspired by the idiosyncrasies and the social fabric of the respective location. His works include designs for the Burkinese parliament and a memorial for Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso, as well as the Lycée Schorge - a regional college currently attended by 500 students - and the Léo Surgical Clinic and Health Centre. His design is currently being implemented for the parliament in Benin; in Munich, he is building a children’s day care centre. In his past lectureship tenures at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio, as well as in his current lectureship at Yale University and as a professor at the Technical University of Munich, Prof. Kéré has imparted his expertise to the architects of the future.

The public inaugural lecture of the new Bauhaus guest professor will take place on Wednesday, 10 November 2021, at 6 pm in the Audimax of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. The event can also be streamed online. On the following day, Thursday, 11 November 2021, Prof. Kéré will delve deeper into the topics introduced during the lecture with Bauhaus-Universität Weimar students and doctoral candidates in a three-hour workshop.

»Sustainable Architecture« - Inaugural Lecture from Bauhaus Guest Professor Diébédo Francis Kéré

Wednesday, 10 November 2021, 6 pm
Audimax of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar (Steubenstraße 6)
Live stream accessible via: www.uni-weimar.de/bauhausgastprofessur

Please note that the 3G rule applies for participants of the in-person event.