Berlin-based architect Francis Kéré created the twelve colorful towers referencing the baobab trees that claim a remarkable and dominant presence in his native West African village of Gando, Burkina Faso.
"In my culture, the baobab is the most important tree," said Kéré. "It’s giant, and it has multiple uses as food and medicine. It’s the place where you get together, celebrate, and discuss. It also attracts animals. It is spiritual. Naturally you will walk toward it."
The structures in Sarbalé ke, "the house of celebration" in Kéré’s native tongue, command the same power. Some soar higher than sixty feet tall and, with their joyful colors and deep shadows that provide valuable shaded spaces, exude the same welcoming appeal. The light is another important component. "In my culture where there is no light, no electricity, if we see a light we watch it for a while,” he added. "If it stays [illuminated] we walk toward it, and there will be a celebration."
