Benin National Assembly
Under Construction
2019 -
Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin
35,000 sqm
Republic of Benin
Local architects: COBLOC - Clarisse Krause, Régis Rilwan, Fructueux Avlou, Chalemagne Tohoudèdé
Structural Engineers (concept and design): AECOM, BEST Ingénierie - Anselme Gbaguidi
Structural Engineers (developed design and execution: SAHEL Ingeneurie - Yacine Gueye, Touba Badiane
MEP Engineers: CEA - Lucien Amoussou, Victoring Yehouenou, Pierre Sounouvou, Camille Aizo
Acoustic Engineer: Prof. Matthias Middelkamp
Light Concept: Zumtobel
HSE: ECOPLAN - Blandien Langanfin
Bureau de controle: APAVE - Moussae Mbaye
Client Representative: SImAU
Construction Company: CSCEC
Francis Kéré
Alexandra Zervudachi, Jaime Herraiz
Kinan Deeb, Philippe Chazée, , Léa Sodangbe, Mariona Maeso, Jeanne Autran-Edorh, Javier Mola Cardenes, Andrea Maretto, Leonne Vögelin, Charles André, Ismaël N’Faly Camara, Léon Bührer, Malak Nasreldin, Viana Wagokh, N'Faly Ismael Camara, Ervin Muhovic, Yonas Tukuabo, Romane Pauchet Dupont, Alice Guilhou, Lili Friedrich, Rahma Fayca
Alimadjai Boukari Ziberou, Nataniel Sawadogo
Having outgrown its current building, which dates back to the colonial era of its past, the parliament of the Republic of Benin has entrusted Kéré Architecture to design a new national assembly that will embody the values of democracy and the cultural identity of its citizens.
The project takes inspiration from the palaver tree, the age-old West African tradition of meeting under a tree to make consensual decisions in the interest of a community. The palaver tree is a timeless symbol, having borne witness to previous generations and inspiring respect for the majestic forces of nature.
The assembly hall is located on the ground floor, its spectacular ceiling created by the dynamic reach of the structure, which supports the functions above. The crown is comprised of offices and auxiliary functions, set back from the deep façade, which filters the strong sunlight. The trunk is hollow, creating a central courtyard that allows circulation spaces to be naturally ventilated and indirect light to penetrate the plan. A spiral staircase in its centre connects the assembly hall on the ground floor to the offices above. On the top floor, a roof terrace offers sweeping views over the city and the lagoon in the distance.
A large part of the site is dedicated to a public park, which will showcase Benin’s native flora while providing Porto-Novo with an extensive recreation space. To create a sense of openness and transparency, the park will extend to the foot of the palaver tree, offering a generous shaded space where citizens can gather and deliberate, analogous to the assembly hall on the opposite side.
In the southeast corner of the site, a public square marks the civic façade of the building, across from the former national assembly where Benin’s independence was historically declared. Further facilities for government services are integrated into the park’s topography with planted roofs, and form a façade along the southern limit of the site.
Having outgrown its current building, which dates back to the colonial era of its past, the parliament of the Republic of Benin has entrusted Kéré Architecture to design a new national assembly that will embody the values of democracy and the cultural identity of its citizens.
The project takes inspiration from the palaver tree, the age-old West African tradition of meeting under a tree to make consensual decisions in the interest of a community. The palaver tree is a timeless symbol, having borne witness to previous generations and inspiring respect for the majestic forces of nature.
The assembly hall is located on the ground floor, its spectacular ceiling created by the dynamic reach of the structure, which supports the functions above. The crown is comprised of offices and auxiliary functions, set back from the deep façade, which filters the strong sunlight. The trunk is hollow, creating a central courtyard that allows circulation spaces to be naturally ventilated and indirect light to penetrate the plan. A spiral staircase in its centre connects the assembly hall on the ground floor to the offices above. On the top floor, a roof terrace offers sweeping views over the city and the lagoon in the distance.
A large part of the site is dedicated to a public park, which will showcase Benin’s native flora while providing Porto-Novo with an extensive recreation space. To create a sense of openness and transparency, the park will extend to the foot of the palaver tree, offering a generous shaded space where citizens can gather and deliberate, analogous to the assembly hall on the opposite side.
In the southeast corner of the site, a public square marks the civic façade of the building, across from the former national assembly where Benin’s independence was historically declared. Further facilities for government services are integrated into the park’s topography with planted roofs, and form a façade along the southern limit of the site.
