Ministry of Economy

The design for the new Ministry of Economy and Finance of Burkina Faso is rooted in a deep respect for the traditional architecture of the regions bordering the Sahara. The inspiration comes from local vernacular buildings, typically constructed in baked earth with thick walls and minimal openings — solutions refined over centuries to ensure comfort and protection in extreme climates.

The project is composed of two distinct yet interconnected volumes, their forms appearing as if sculpted from clay by the hands of an artisan. These compact and sinuous masses, defined by solid forms and warm surfaces, engage in a constant dialogue with light and shadow, creating an architecture firmly anchored in its cultural and environmental context.

At their uppermost levels, the buildings open with windowed façades screened by vegetation and projecting elements, designed to filter direct sunlight, enhance natural ventilation, and offer shaded, protected views from the interior. The result is an institutional complex that harmoniously combines functionality, cultural identity, and climatic sustainability — a new emblem of thoughtful modernity for Ouagadougou.

Location / Ouagadougou | Burkina Faso

Year / 2017

Client / Ministry of Economy

Stage / International Competition

Lot area / 10.000 Sqm.

Surface / 4.000 Sam.