Burkina Faso & Germany | Francis Kéré, AKAA & Pritzker Laureate: HH Aga Khan’s passing “leaves a void, an immeasurable loss, not only for me but for my family”
“You are here, looking at me — how can I possibly give a speech worthy of honouring all that you have made possible for me, and all that you have done for architecture, art, culture, and the global community?”
~ Francis Kéré, Burkinabè Architect,
2004 AKAA Laureate,
2022 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate
New York, USA. May 2017: Francis Kéré delivers a heartfelt tribute to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV during the Architectural League New York event honouring His Highness with its Gold Medal. Image credit: Leandro Viana / Architectural League New YorkNew York, USA. May 2017: His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV listens to Francis Kéré as he delivers a heartfelt tribute to His Highness. Image credit: Leandro Viana / Architectural League New York
New York, USA. May 2017: Francis Kéré in conversation with His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and Farrokh Derakhshani at the Architectural League New York event honouring His Highness with its Gold Medal. Image credit: Kéré Architecture / AKDN
“I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of His Highness the Aga Khan.
His loss is a profound one.
He was an extraordinary figure whose vision and generosity transformed countless lives, including my own and that of my family. His legacy is one of inspiration, empowerment, and an unwavering commitment to architecture, culture, and community.
Receiving the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2004 for the very first building I ever built, a school in my village of Gando, was an unbelievable honour.
Designed for the Future – A primary school in Gando, Burkina Faso, won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture for its cost-efficient use of local materials
This recognition not only marked a turning point in my career, allowing the world to discover my work, but it also gave me a deeply personal and emotional gift. For that, my family and I owe the Aga Khan our eternal gratitude.
I had always struggled to explain to my father what life was like beyond Burkina Faso. Even though he had given me the chance to learn to read and write and to come to Germany to study architecture, I did not have the words to share what I had experienced.
Francis Kéré with his father. Image credit: Kéré Architecture / AKDN
It was only until I received the Aga Khan Award, and through the generosity of the Aga Khan himself, that I was able to take him on a journey beyond Gando. To this day, I remember sitting next to him on our way to the Aga Khan Award Ceremony on a plane from Ouagadougou to Paris, then from Paris to Delhi, witnessing his expression as he saw the modern world for the first time. It was a moment of profound connection, made possible by the Aga Khan — a testament to his ability to open doors, bridge worlds, and change lives.
Therefore, not only for me but for my family, his passing is an immeasurable loss.
Especially, he was a great source of inspiration. I always approached him with the deepest humility, to the point that in his presence, I could barely find the words to express myself.
I remember being invited to speak at the Architecture League in New York. I had prepared my speech, with insightful points even suggested by Farrokh Derakhshani.
But as I stood before the audience and saw the Aga Khan seated in front of me, I found myself unable to speak. Overwhelmed by the weight of the moment, I decided to be completely honest and simply said:
‘You are here, looking at me — how can I possibly give a speech worthy of honouring all that you have made possible for me, and all that you have done for architecture, art, culture, and the global community?’
Such was the depth of my admiration and gratitude for him.
His passing leaves a void, but his legacy will undoubtedly endure.
His vision, his generosity, and his unwavering belief in the power of architecture to uplift humanity will continue to inspire generations to come.”
~ Francis Kéré,
Internationally renowned Burkinabè Architect,
2004 Laureate of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture,
2022 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize,
Founder, Kéré Architecture GmbH,
Founder, Kéré Foundation e.V., a Non-Profit Organisation,
Teaching engagements at TU München, the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio and Yale University,
Exhibitions premiered at the Venice Biennale of Architecture, the Museo ICO in Madrid, the Architekturmuseum in Munich and the Philadelphia Museum of Art,
Berlin, Germany – February, 18th 2025
His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV receives The Architectural League of New York President’s Medal
On May 18, 2017, The Architectural League of New York presented its President’s Medal to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
The President’s Medal is The Architectural League’s highest honor and is bestowed, at the discretion of the League’s President and Board of Directors, to recognize an extraordinary body of work in architecture, urbanism, art, or design.
Watch the YouTube video below to hear Francis Kéré and others heartfelt tribute to His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV as he is honoured with the President’s Medal
Research, Translation, Insight & Perspective by A. Maherali
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