Kéré Architecture's 'Tree of Knowledge' to Anchor Rio's New Public Library

9 hours ago7 min read3 comments

Pritzker Prize-winning firm Kéré Architecture has revealed designs for a transformative public library in Rio de Janeiro, structured around a central cylindrical 'tree of knowledge. ' This project represents the studio's inaugural foray into South America, extending its ethos of community-focused, climatically intelligent design to a new continent.Founded by Diébédo Francis Kéré, the practice is celebrated for projects like the Gando school library in Burkina Faso, which championed local materials and passive cooling. The 'tree of knowledge' serves as the library's conceptual and physical core—a multi-story atrium envisioned as the building's heart.From this central trunk, reading areas and bookshelves will extend like branches, fostering an intuitive and inspiring journey for visitors. The design is a direct response to Rio's tropical climate, employing natural ventilation and locally resonant materials to create a comfortable, open environment.More than a mere book repository, the library is conceived as a vibrant social hub and a shaded public square for intellectual exchange. This new landmark for Rio underscores the enduring importance of civic space, proposing an architecture that is organic, human-centered, and deeply connected to its place.

#Kéré Architecture

#Rio Public Library

#Sustainable Architecture

#Tree of Knowledge

#Brazil

#Designboom

#featured