Kere Architecture proposed a new Burkina Faso National Assembly in the aftermath of the 2014 Burkinabe uprising, which had resulted in the burning down of the former facility. The popular uprising saw the end of President Blaise Compaore's rule, which had continued since the assassination of Thomas Sankara in 1987, and marked a turning point in the political history of Burkina Faso. Kere Architecture aimed to capture the spirit of this history in its design. The project has a central landmark, a monumental stepped pyramidal structure with an outer shell that offers a unique public gathering space in the heart of the capital, Ouagadougou. Here visitors enjoy far-reaching views across the city and landscape beyond - an unprecedented new outlook, both literally and metaphorically. Arranged below this space are the main assembly hall and associated auxiliary functions, as well as a large, shaded space, sheltered by the lattice structure and open steps of the pyramid, which will serve as an open civic forum. The new building is part of an ambitious master plan that encompasses the wider area surrounding the former National Assembly and aims to be accessible and inclusive to citizens. A large portion of the site will be planted with native tree species and equipped with seating to provide a shaded recreational space. The scheme also includes commercial storefronts, exhibition spaces, and shaded bicycle and car parking, becoming a locus of public amenities for the inhabitants of Ouagadougou.
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