Overture for Kéré’s Opera Village in Burkina Faso

Diébédo Francis Kéré has completed the first phase of the Opera Village project in his home country of Burkina Faso.

The complex, with a school, hospital and arts centre, was conceived with film director Christoph Schlingensief.

Located 30km north of the capital city Ouagadougou, its buildings are designed to remain cool without air conditioning. Clay bricks keep out the heat and ventilated windows allow air to circulate.

Up to 50 children will attend the school, which teaches film, art and music classes beside the traditional curriculum.

“Christoph Schlingensief was very happy with what was created here,” Kéré told German magazine Der Spiegel. “And I am too.”