Burkina Faso-born architect Diébédo Francis Kéré has won this year’s prestigious Pritzker Prize.
Mr Kéré, 56, is the first African to win the award in its more than 40-year history, which is regarded as the highest honour in the field.
He is a dual citizen of Burkina Faso and Germany.
He said he was the “happiest man on this planet” to become the 51st recipient of the award.
“I have a feeling of an overwhelming honour but also a sense of responsibility,” he is quoted as telling AFP news agency in an interview.
The architect’s works include designs for the national assemblies of Burkina Faso and Benin – which are yet to be built.
In announcing the winner, the jury said the architect “raises fundamental questions of the meaning of permanence and durability of construction in a context of constant technological changes”.
Mr Kéré was praised by members of the jury for combining his architectural works “with the traditions, needs and customs of his country”. (BBC)
