Exploring Locality in Francis Kéré’s African Architecture - Focused on His Works in the African Region -

As architectural theory increasingly emphasizes sustainability, cultural relevance, and social engagement, the concept of locality has become a crucial perspective in contemporary architectural analysis. This study centers on the architectural practices of Francis Kéré in Africa, examining how his works respond to local cultural characteristics and issues of poverty, and exploring the implications of his approach for the pluralistic development of contemporary architecture. By taking African architecture as a point of departure, the research aims to offer new pathways and practical directions for the study of locality and sustainable architecture in impoverished regions around the world. Grounded in previous research on locality theory, the study identifies three types of locality—spatial, cultural-social, and functional—and combines them with an analysis of Kéré’s architectural characteristics to construct three core dimensions: material innovation, community collaboration, and climate adaptability. Through the intersection of these dimensions and attributes, nine characteristic terms are derived to reflect the localized logic of Kéré’s work. By analyzing the commonalities among these nine traits, the research further defines three overarching expressions of locality in Kéré’s architecture. These expressions are then applied to representative architectural projects in Africa for empirical analysis and evaluation, illustrating how Kéré activates locality through concrete spatial strategies and environmental responses, ultimately achieving a translation of locality from theoretical discourse to spatial practice. This study concludes that architecture is not merely the physical creation of spatial forms, but rather a comprehensive medium for multifaceted interactions between humans, the environment, and society. Kéré’s work, through the innovative fusion of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and a design process rooted in community support and collaboration, has contributed to local development. His approach offers a low-cost construction methodology based on indigenous knowledge and techniques, providing meaningful reference for sustainable architectural practices in resource-constrained developing regions.