Kéré Architecture has designed a $12 million "Legacy Campus" in Kenya for the Mama Sarah Obama Foundation (MSOF) - the foundation of the sole living grandparent of president Barack Obama whose mission is to feed and educate children and impoverished families. Planned for Kogelo, Kenya (the birthplace of President Barack Obama’s father), the phased plan is to build an early childhood development center, a primary and secondary school, a vocational training school and eventually a hospital all within a single campus.
"The goal of the project is to promote a sustainable approach to community-strengthening and education," says Kéré.
"Each school is uniquely designed for its specific age group with age-appropriate libraries, playgrounds, and sports fields. By creating educational environments that promote curiosity and critical-thinking, students will anticipate educational advancement and will be prepared to succeed in their everyday lives beyond the classroom.
"Although the schools operate completely individually from each other, they are united through a variety of shared public spaces such as an auditorium, sports fields, and cafeteria. These community-focused spaces will support special assemblies, school celebrations, and sporting events not only for the schools but for the surrounding community as well."
The project's first phase will complete the Early Childhood Development Center. Its second phase will consist of rehabilitating the existing barack Obama Primary and secondary schools.