Expression of democratic values ​​and identity. Benin National Assembly by Kéré Architecture

Project description by Kéré Architecture

Kéré Architecture has revealed their design for the National Assembly of Benin, which will be built in Porto-Novo. Construction is scheduled to start in March 2021. The new parliament building, its structure inspired by the practice of communal gathering, conversing and decision making underneath a palaver tree, will embody and express the democratic values and identity of the people of Benin.

Francis Kéré: “The Benin National Assembly marks an important next step for our studio. This project gives shape to our ideas about community gathering, the importance of indigenous forms of governance and what contemporary African architecture can be on a national scale. I am honored by the trust that has been placed in us, and am grateful that together we can build a new house of democracy for the Republic of Benin.”

Jeanne Autran-Edorh, project architect: “Our aim was to design a civic building serving the institution as much as the public of Porto-Novo. To achieve this we conceived a large canopy structure that hosts the assembly hall and also creates an emblematic shaded public space, accessible to all.”

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.