Review: Francis Kéré: Radically Simple
Get lost in the pages of a good book—it’s the soul of any room.
Internationally known for his penetrating insights into the art and social conscience of architecture, Burkina Faso-born Diébédo Francis Kéré has always been eons ahead of his peers. This first monograph thoughtfully presents the stunning forward-thinking oeuvre that earned him the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2004 and countless other awards.
More than 200 pages and 120 colour images demonstrate his commitment to educational, social and cultural structures that celebrate the ethos of those citizens for whom he designs. His Songtaaba Women’s Center, Surgical Clinic and Health Center, and Lycée Schorge Secondary School are stunning examples in Burkina Faso; and his projects in China, Germany and Spain are equally exceptional. He even designed the Obama Legacy Campus (2015) in Kenya for the Mama Sarah Obama Foundation (MSOF), the foundation created by the sole living grandparent of former US President Barack Obama.
Ideal for architects, designers and anyone interested in the future of these disciplines, this exceptional new volume reveals Francis Kéré’s ability to translate design into a language of hope and international global responsibility.
Francis Kéré: Radically Simple
Edited with text by Andres Lepik, Ayça Beygo.
Hatje Cantz/D.A.P. Publishing
The Latest
Transform Your Living Space
Renowned designer Antonio Citterio introduces a new paradigm in contemporary seating through the Loungescape sofa
Inside Hobb
We speak with the founder of Hobb, Haifa Malhas, about building a bookstore and a community centred around love for design
Revealed: The venue and date for the identity Design Awards 2025
Save the date for the much awaited gala night.
Conscious design, textural sophistication, and seasonal comfort: What Crate & Barrel and CB2 bring to the GCC with New Stores and Collection
With fresh openings in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, Crate & Barrel and CB2 unveil Fall/Winter collections that blends tactile design, sustainability, and exclusive collaborations, bringing global style closer to regional homes.
Surface Appeal
Global surfaces leader Cosentino launches four new quartzite options in the Sensa range
Dubai Design Week 2025 reveals an exciting 11th edition programme
Taking place from 4-9 November 2025, Dubai Design Week this year centres around community.
Rooted in Stillness
Casa Tranquilo by DADO offers an immersive retreat into nature
Treetop Sanctuary
The Ritz-Carlton’s intimate treetop retreat offers a rare invitation to connect deeply with nature and culture
Desert Counterpoint
In Summerlin, Nevada, Faulkner Architects and Concept Lighting Lab have revealed a desert home that withstands extremities
On Building to Last
We interview selected architects and interior designers to talk about balancing permanence and progress across their projects
The Culture of Quality
A conversation with Maryam Raeisi, Managing Director of HMA Living by Al Shamsi
What to expect at Feria Habitat Valencia
This year’s fair is set to take place between 29 September and 2 October