What Kéré Architecture does

Kéré Architecture is a Berlin-headquartered professional services architecture practice founded by Francis Kéré in 2005. The firm operates across three integrated practice areas — Building (architectural services tuned to each project's specific context using local knowledge and resources), Design (temporary structures, installations, interior design, and product design across disciplines including art and technology), and Knowledge (an ongoing commitment to building and sharing knowledge through a practice-as-laboratory approach). The studio's methodology centers on innovative uses of local resources and participatory design methods, allowing it to work beyond established design-practice boundaries and produce context-responsive architecture across civic infrastructure and temporary installations.

The firm serves two primary customer segments: government and public institutions commissioning civic infrastructure (schools, healthcare centers, primary school extensions in Africa), and cultural and arts institutions commissioning distinctive installations such as the Serpentine Pavilion in the UK. Its geographic footprint spans Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali, Burundi), Europe (UK), and North America (New York). Revenue is generated through project-based professional services fees, with pricing determined per project via quotations based on scope, complexity, and requirements; no standardized pricing is publicly disclosed. Distribution is via direct client engagement at the enterprise level for civic and cultural commissions from concept through execution.

The studio is founder-led and small (8 employees), maintaining a closely-held independent ownership structure with no disclosed external institutional investment. The closely related Kéré Foundation e.V. supports community-driven infrastructure in Burkina Faso's Gando, reinforcing the firm's social-impact positioning and providing a unique ecosystem for participatory design work. Brand recognition is anchored by Francis Kéré's international reputation and recent Curbed recognition in 2026 naming the firm among five shaping New York's future landmarks.

Name

Kéré Architecture

Legal name

Kéré Architecture

Website

https://kere-architecture.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kéré Architecture is a Berlin-based architecture practice founded by Francis Kéré in 2005, offering building, design, and knowledge services through participatory methods and local-resource innovation. It serves government, public institutions, and cultural organizations across Africa, Europe, and North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (541410)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO)

Keywords

• Architectural services
• Civic infrastructure design
• Participatory design
• Sustainable construction
• Cultural installations

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Project-based professional services for building design and execution, spanning civic infrastructure to temporary installations, from concept to completion.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Kéré Architecture is a professional architectural practice delivering three integrated offerings: Building (context-responsive architectural services using local knowledge and resources), Design (temporary structures, installations, interior and product design crossing into art and technology), and Knowledge (an ongoing practice-as-laboratory approach to building and sharing architectural knowledge). The firm serves public sector and cultural clients through project-based commissions from concept to execution, with a portfolio spanning civic infrastructure to temporary installations across Africa, Europe, and North America.

Product overview

Kéré Architecture is a professional services firm offering three integrated practice areas: Building (architectural services using local knowledge and resources), Design (temporary structures, installations, interior and product design across disciplines), and Knowledge (knowledge-building and sharing as a laboratory for practice dialogue). Founded by Francis Kéré in 2005 with dual focus on design and social commitment, the studio's scope encompasses building, design, and knowledge sharing. The three offerings are interconnected, with knowledge-sharing underpinning and informing both architectural and design projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Building Architectural services for civic infrastructure and building projects, fine-tuned for each project's specific context using local knowledge and resources as primary tools to drive thoughtful construction. Offered to public sector clients and other commissioning organizations seeking community-driven, contextually appropriate architecture.
• Design Design practice spanning temporary structures, installations, interior design, and product design, exploring the crossroads between architecture and other disciplines such as art and technology. Offered to cultural institutions, arts organizations, and other clients seeking distinctive architectural installations.
• Knowledge Ongoing commitment to building and sharing architectural knowledge through a practice-as-laboratory approach, enabling dialogue with the firm's own work and exploration of questions surrounding its projects. Underpins and informs both Building and Design offerings.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Kéré Foundation e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kéré Foundation e.V. supports the architectural practice's work in creating inspirational infrastructure, particularly in Burkina Faso's Gando. The foundation embodies the studio's commitment to community-driven design and social impact architecture.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Adjaye Associates: Founded by David Adjaye, a global architecture practice known for civic, cultural, and community-oriented buildings across Africa, Europe, and the US. Closely comparable to Kéré Architecture in scope, mission, and founder-led global profile.
• Snøhetta: Multi-disciplinary, transcontinental design studio spanning architecture, interior, product, and landscape design. Comparable to Kéré's three-pillar Building/Design/Knowledge model and global civic project portfolio.
• Studio Mumbai: India-based practice focused on craft, local materials, and community-engaged construction. Shares Kéré's emphasis on local resources, participatory building, and context-driven architecture.
• Shigeru Ban Architects: Practice recognized for humanitarian architecture, innovative use of materials, and temporary structures. Directly comparable to Kéré's signature work in pavilions, innovative construction, and civic impact.
• MASS Design Group: Non-profit architecture practice focused on buildings that improve health, education, and civic outcomes in under-served communities. Directly comparable to Kéré's social-impact and community-driven design ethos.
• Studio Gang: Founder-led (Jeanne Gang) architecture practice known for community-engaged civic projects and a strong design signature. Similar to Kéré in founder-centric brand and emphasis on participatory/contextual design.

Broad incumbents

• OMA: International architecture and urbanism practice known for boundary-pushing civic and cultural projects. Comparable to Kéré in its willingness to challenge established norms and pursue unconventional modes of construction.
• Foster + Partners: One of the world's largest global architecture practices, with a deep civic and institutional portfolio comparable to Kéré's project mix, but with substantially more resources and project capacity.
• BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group): Global, founder-led architecture firm with a strong brand identity and diversified portfolio across building types. Comparable to Kéré in founder-driven positioning and civic/institutional presence, but operates at much larger scale.
• Zaha Hadid Architects: Large, globally recognized architecture firm built around a Pritzker-laureate founder's signature design language. Comparable to Kéré in brand-led positioning but operates at vastly greater scale and project volume.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/k%C3%A9r%C3%A9-architecture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kéré Architecture