JOIN USGermany has trained several international architects. One of them is the African-born, Diébédo Francis Kéré. Now Diébédo has been picked to design this year’s Serpentine Pavilion, a structure in London. Diébédo will become the 17th international architect to build a temporary structure in London’s Kensington Gardens, having been chosen following a contest judged by, among others, Richard Rogers and David Adjaye.
It is the first time the Serpentine has invited architects to compete for the annual installation. Previously, it had handpicked an overseas architect to build their first structure in London. The design, earmarked for a site in front of the Serpentine Gallery, was inspired by a tree and meeting place in Diébédo’s hometown of Gando, in Burkina Faso.
Supported by a central steel framework, the large roof will ‘mimic a tree’s canopy’ and allow air to circulate freely; while offering shelter against London rain and summer heat. At the centre of the pavilion is an open-air courtyard with four separate entry points, where visitors can sit and relax during sunny days. In the case of rain, an oculus, which is a circular opening at the apex of a dome, funnels any water that collects on the roof into a spectacular waterfall effect, before it is evacuated through a drainage system in the floor and stored for later use in irrigating the park. Diébédo, who runs Berlin-based Kéré Architecture, is known for his socially engaged and ecological design in his practice as well as his award-winning primary school in Burkina Faso.
He has also exhibited his work at shows in Munich and Philadelphia. The decision to launch an invited competition was announced by the Serpentine last year as part of a ‘new chapter’ which will see its two galleries in Kensington Gardens jointly led by artistic director Hans-Ulrich Obrist and chief executive Yana Peel.