Time as a Building Material: Francis Kéré’s Projects Evolve
Francis Kéré views time as the primary material in his architectural work. He believes architecture changes over time, turning structural elements like bricks, doors, windows, and stairs into protagonists of a living process. This perspective leads his projects to evolve continuously and adapt to user needs.
Kéré starts with the idea that architecture is a space that people gradually make their own. He works incrementally, even revising designs during construction, so the building grows naturally over its lifespan.
His buildings gradually merge with their surroundings and respond to the evolving needs of their occupants, becoming part of everyday life rather than static structures.
For designers, this approach shows that time can be treated as a design material. Instead of a fixed plan, time becomes a dynamic element that can be shaped throughout a project’s life.
Looking ahead, watching other projects that treat time as a material could offer valuable lessons for designers, animators, and builders. Continuous, adaptable design can open up new structural and aesthetic possibilities.