Welcome to Blueprinting with Aaeesha!

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Welcome to my blog! My name is Aaeesha and I am a student at DMUIC and my specialism is architecture. I will be using my blog to show some of my art pieces and my progress as a student at DMUIC in finding my own unique style. So be sure to follow as you may find inspiration.

An architect I take inspiration from is Diébédo Francis Kéré. Born in Burkina Faso, he was the first African to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize. He mainly inspires me because of his tendency to use of locally available materials in a creative way while also serving aesthetic and functional qualities. My favourite work by him is the Lycée Schorge Secondary School in Burkina Faso.


 
 

Lycée Schorge Secondary School (2014-2016) by Diébédo Francis Kéré

 

 Lycee Schorge Secondary School / Kéré Architecture - Image 2 of 40

Lycée Schorge Secondary School (2014-2016) by Diébédo Francis Kéré

 

 I have developed an interest in vernacular architecture as someone from an African country (Nigeria). I think it shows that locally produced materials can create wonderful artworks while simultaneously saving energy as opposed to the usual concrete we see. Kéré states; "The architecture not only functions as a marker in the landscape, it is also a testament to how local materials, in combination with creativity and teamwork, can be transformed into something significant with profound lasting effects,"  (Kéré, 2017).

This particular design consists of nine independent units which serve as classrooms. The walls of the units are made from a locally harvested material called laterite stone which has the amazing ability to absorb heat thereby keeping the classroom cool while also saving cost and energy which i find amazing! Another thing I love about this structure is the kind of round almost "C" shape that the building takes, leaving the space in the middle for school gatherings creating a community like setting.

As an aspiring architect, looking at all the work he has done over the years has made me think about other aspects of architecture other than the pretty buildings and intricate designs. I aim to take on sustainability, economic and even cultural factors into consideration in the nearest future. "I am hoping to change the paradigm, push people to dream and undergo risk. It is not because you are rich that you should waste material . It is not because you are poor that you should not try to create quality. Everyone deserves quality, everyone deserves luxury, and everyone deserves comfort. We are interlinked and concerns in climate, democracy and scarcity are concerns for us all." (Kéré, 2022)

 

References

Griffiths, A. (2017). Diébédo Francis Kéré uses local materials for ring-shaped school in Burkina Faso. [online] Dezeen. Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2017/06/23/diebedo-francis-kere-local-materials-ring-shaped-school-burkina-faso/ [Accessed 11 Jan. 2024].

prize, pritzher (n.d.). Diébédo Francis Kéré | The Pritzker Architecture Prize. [online] www.pritzkerprize.com. Available at: https://www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/diebedo-francis-kere#laureate-page-2446 [Accessed 12 Jan. 2024].

daily, arch (2017). Lycee Schorge Secondary School / Kéré Architecture. [online] ArchDaily. Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/885677/lycee-schorge-secondary-school-kere-architecture [Accessed 12 Jan. 2024].




 

 

 

 

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