Architectural Cases

Kéré Architecture, a firm based in Berlin, has recently completed the Goethe-Institut's new headquarters in Dakar, Senegal. This two-story building, an architectural landmark, is predominantly constructed using compacted-earth blocks. Positioned adjacent to the Musée Léopold Sédar Senghore, it marks a significant milestone as the first permanent structure specifically commissioned by the Goethe-Institut, a distinguished German institution dedicated to fostering language education and cultural dialogue globally. The design's core philosophy revolves around creating an inviting, secure, and culturally resonant environment, deeply rooted in its Senegalese context.

Diébédo Francis Kéré, the visionary founder of Kéré Architecture, articulated the profound responsibility he felt in designing this inaugural bespoke space for the Goethe-Institut. Drawing parallels to his initial work on a school, Kéré emphasized his belief that educational venues naturally evolve into meeting points, where communal interaction sparks cultural creation. His intent for the Dakar institute was to craft a building that exudes openness and safety, while remaining firmly grounded in its locale and adaptable to various functions, thereby establishing a vibrant hub for cultural activities in one of Africa's prominent cultural centers.

The institution's primary L-shaped block is thoughtfully designed to echo the graceful canopies of trees that once graced the site. This configuration is optimized for hosting a diverse range of public events, including enlightening talks, captivating exhibitions, and musical concerts, alongside its core function of providing language courses. The building’s strategic layout encircles a tranquil garden area, carefully preserving a majestic existing tree that serves as a natural gathering point, further enhancing the sense of community and connection to nature.

Multiple expansive openings on the ground floor offer seamless access to the main auditorium, a welcoming cafeteria, and a well-appointed library. Elegantly arched entrances guide visitors to the staircase leading to the upper levels. The institute's academic classrooms and administrative offices are thoughtfully situated on the upper floor, which culminates in a spacious rooftop terrace, offering panoramic views and additional communal space.

The structural integrity of the building is largely attributed to its load-bearing walls, meticulously crafted from locally sourced compacted-earth blocks. This sustainable material choice extends to the perforated screens on the upper floor, which ingeniously maintain the architectural theme of transparency and connectivity. Capping the rooftop terrace is a meticulously designed steel canopy, its form inspired by and mirroring the protective embrace of a tree canopy, blending functionality with aesthetic harmony.

Beyond the main edifice, the complex features two ancillary structures, also constructed from compacted-earth blocks with distinctive perforated sections. One of these structures serves as an inviting entrance block, while the other houses a fully equipped kitchen, catering to the needs of outdoor events and gatherings, thus complementing the institute's multifaceted offerings. Kéré's architectural prowess was recognized with the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2022, underscoring his innovative approach to design and sustainable construction. His firm continues to shape architectural landscapes globally, with ongoing projects including the Las Vegas Museum of Art and the Biblioteca dos Saberes in Rio de Janeiro, both set to incorporate facades adorned with perforated brickwork.

The Goethe-Institut in Dakar stands as a testament to thoughtful, culturally responsive architecture. It not only provides a functional space for learning and cultural exchange but also serves as a vibrant community hub, integrating local materials and traditional aesthetics with contemporary design principles to create a welcoming and inspiring environment. This project exemplifies Kéré Architecture's commitment to creating structures that are deeply connected to their environment and the communities they serve.

In a remarkable architectural endeavor, the Italian studio STARTT has unveiled a visionary project titled "Beyond the Pantheon," which ingeniously employs a series of what they term "micro-architectures." This innovative approach has successfully transformed a once-inaccessible archaeological area situated directly behind Rome's iconic Pantheon into a vibrant public space, offering a novel perspective on the city's rich historical tapestry. The initiative, spearheaded by the Italian Ministry of Culture, not only reestablishes a vital link between the ancient Pantheon and the ruins of the Basilica of Neptune but also integrates an immersive exhibition space within these venerable remnants.

Rome's Ancient Core Reconnected: STARTT's 'Beyond the Pantheon' Transforms Historical Landscape

In a groundbreaking move for cultural heritage, the Italian architecture firm STARTT has recently completed the "Beyond the Pantheon" project, reopening a significant archaeological site in Rome that had long been off-limits to the public. Situated directly behind the majestic Pantheon, this initiative creates a public thoroughfare connecting the ancient Roman temple with the previously secluded ruins of the Basilica of Neptune. The project, commissioned by the Italian Ministry of Culture, now serves a dual purpose: a historical pathway and an engaging exhibition space that winds through the ancient basilica's remnants. STARTT has meticulously integrated contemporary elements, described as "micro-architectures," crafted from steel and stone, which discreetly house modern conveniences such as a lift, restrooms, and storage facilities. As Simone Capra, founder of STARTT, articulates, this intervention aims to recontextualize the Pantheon, demonstrating its historical role as a nodal point in an urban axis, a narrative often obscured by later demolitions. The journey for visitors begins at the Devil's Moat entrance on the Pantheon's western flank, leading through the Chapel of Santa Maria ad Martyres, and into a narrow corridor between the Pantheon's rotunda and the Basilica of Neptune's apse. Concealed behind folding metal doors, a storage area lies beneath an illuminated archaeological map, while a staircase and lift ascend to multimedia displays on an upper level. The new additions are clad in steel panels, treated to mimic the mottled, bluish-black appearance of mill scale, harmonizing with the ancient, crumbling brickwork. This material choice, transitioning from dark at the base to lighter blue at the top, visually narrates the archaeological layers, connecting the earth's depths to the Roman sky. This strategic renovation breathes new life into Rome's historical core, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of its ancient wonders.

This innovative architectural undertaking not only democratizes access to a previously hidden piece of Roman history but also offers a fresh lens through which to appreciate the intricate urban planning of the ancient world. By re-establishing the connection between the Pantheon and the Basilica of Neptune, STARTT has allowed contemporary visitors to mentally reconstruct the grandeur of Rome's past, moving beyond the isolated monument narrative. The project serves as a powerful reminder of how thoughtful modern intervention can both preserve and enhance our understanding of historical sites, transforming them into dynamic educational and cultural experiences. It exemplifies a respectful dialogue between antiquity and modernity, where new structures subtly facilitate engagement with the old, enriching the cultural fabric of a timeless city.