Memorial Thomas Sankara
Ongoing
2017 -
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
29,600 sqm
Comité International du Mémorial Thomas Sankara / Ministère de la Communication, de la Culture, des Arts et du Tourisme (MCCAT/PCIM-INTS) Burkina Faso
Francis Kéré, Kéré Architecture
Jeanne Autran-Edorh, Kinan Deeb, Nabil Haque, Andrea Maretto, Daniel Meléndez, Madina Scacchi, Leonne Vögelin, Juan Carlos Zapata Baldrich
Valentin Billhardt, Orsola Carraro, Philippe Chazée, Cloé Collet, Quentin Davel, Max Gerber, Linda Heiss, Ben Klages, Jacob Kleiman, Ho-Jae Lee, Beatrice Mazzucco, Javier Mola Cárdenes, Maysha Mussonghora, Ismael N’Faly Camara, Aurora Orlandi, Paula Riebel, Roberto Rodríguez Martínez, Vincenzo Salierno, Pablo Sanchez Sanus, Nina Tescari, Jonathan Wiedemann
The building complex of the Memorial Thomas Sankara honours and commemorates the memory of the Burkinabè revolutionary, former president and pan-Africanist Thomas Sankara. The memorial reflects on the legacy of Sankara’s revolution, in particular reference to the days leading up to his assassination in 1987, when twelve officials were also killed. It will serve to commemorate his engagement for the community and his country.
Being included in the Ouagadougou Green Belt development plan, the project is located within a revitalized area of the capital: the site of the Conseil de l'Entente was transformed, with Francis Kéré’s intervention, into a park covering 18.5 hectares. New amenities include a mausoleum for the former president, a health and education facility, a library, workshop spaces, and a museum honouring President Thomas Sankara and Burkina Faso’s history. Leisure facilities also include a restaurant and café for visitors, along with public conference halls.
These functions are organised in concentric form around a 100m tall tower – a new urban landmark for the city, rising directly on top of the preserved Maison de Memoires, the site of the assassination of 1987. This creates a space to honor Thomas Sankara and his companions while offering a quiet environment for reflection.
A circular promenade at height encircles the tower and the esplanade, which is designed for public gatherings. This elevated promenade will develop for 340m at 6m from the ground level, enable visitors to look out towards the park and the central esplanade. Green areas and sitting elements will allow the public to rest while walking on the promenade.
Within the Memorial Park, a health track winds through the vegetation, complementing the sports fields and playgrounds as a tribute to Thomas Sankara’s vision for the well-being of his fellow citizens.
Unique in Burkina Faso and within the African context, this historic site stands as a symbol of progress, change, and hope.
The building complex of the Memorial Thomas Sankara honours and commemorates the memory of the Burkinabè revolutionary, former president and pan-Africanist Thomas Sankara. The memorial reflects on the legacy of Sankara’s revolution, in particular reference to the days leading up to his assassination in 1987, when twelve officials were also killed. It will serve to commemorate his engagement for the community and his country.
Being included in the Ouagadougou Green Belt development plan, the project is located within a revitalized area of the capital: the site of the Conseil de l'Entente was transformed, with Francis Kéré’s intervention, into a park covering 18.5 hectares. New amenities include a mausoleum for the former president, a health and education facility, a library, workshop spaces, and a museum honouring President Thomas Sankara and Burkina Faso’s history. Leisure facilities also include a restaurant and café for visitors, along with public conference halls.
These functions are organised in concentric form around a 100m tall tower – a new urban landmark for the city, rising directly on top of the preserved Maison de Memoires, the site of the assassination of 1987. This creates a space to honor Thomas Sankara and his companions while offering a quiet environment for reflection.
A circular promenade at height encircles the tower and the esplanade, which is designed for public gatherings. This elevated promenade will develop for 340m at 6m from the ground level, enable visitors to look out towards the park and the central esplanade. Green areas and sitting elements will allow the public to rest while walking on the promenade.
Within the Memorial Park, a health track winds through the vegetation, complementing the sports fields and playgrounds as a tribute to Thomas Sankara’s vision for the well-being of his fellow citizens.
Unique in Burkina Faso and within the African context, this historic site stands as a symbol of progress, change, and hope.
