Stories
Francis Kéré x Daina Cunningham
The Age We're In
Words by Francis Kéré and Daina Cunningham
‘And I was not dreaming to become an architect, it just happened because I had the will to go back to Burkina and do things by myself.’
Pritzker Prize–winning architect Francis Kéré and Sydney-based architect Daina Cunningham reflect on their shared commitment to climate-adaptive design in a conversation with students from the Powerhouse Lang Walker Family Academy.
Kéré traces his journey from the village of Gando in Burkina Faso to global acclaim, highlighting the power of local materials, traditional techniques and community collaboration to create sustainable architecture that offers comfort without fossil fuels. Cunningham draws out the principles of climate-responsive practice, exploring how architects can design resilient buildings that serve their communities and meet accelerating environmental challenges.
‘Taking what is the most available in the place and try to create something to provide comfort to the people, that is the most natural thing to do. This is my DNA.’
‘The beauty of architecture will come from the function of the building.
