Webinar | Learning by Space: The Architecture of Knowledge

How can architecture itself become a teacher? The latest edition of Architecture Hunter’s webinar series, Learning by Space: The Architecture of Knowledge, explored this question with two visionary voices: Francesca Singer, Partner & Architect at SANAA, and Francis Kéré, Founder of Kéré Architecture. Together, they discussed how spaces dedicated to learning - whether academic, cultural, or communal - can inspire curiosity, foster connection, and empower communities.

Francesca Singer opened the session by presenting SANAA’s Bocconi University Urban Campus in Milan, a project where architecture and landscape merge into a seamless learning park. Guided by SANAA’s signature lightness and transparency, the design emphasizes openness, natural light, and fluid circulation, reflecting an educational philosophy based on interaction and exchange. Francesca highlighted how every design choice – from curved organic plans to layered transparencies – responds to a central idea: classrooms as spaces of intimacy and focus, while remaining visually connected to the life of the city. “Education,” she noted, “is about connection: to knowledge, to others, and to the world outside.”

Francis Kéré brought a contrasting yet complementary perspective, rooted in his work in rural Burkina Faso. Reflecting on his own experience of walking miles to school, Kéré explained how architecture can remove barriers to education by engaging local materials, community participation, and climate-responsive design. His projects, from primary schools to universities, integrate natural ventilation, shaded outdoor classrooms, and social gathering spaces that extend learning beyond walls. “Architecture is an act of empowerment,” Kéré said, “and schools can be catalysts for change, places where communities build their own future.”

The dialogue revealed shared values despite distinct contexts: both SANAA and Kéré Architecture see learning spaces as more than functional containers. They are social and cultural landscapes where design supports well-being, curiosity, and collaboration. From Milan’s urban park-like campus to Gando’s community-built schools, the projects presented show how educational spaces can be transformative agents for individuals and societies alike.

The session closed with an invitation for architects to rethink their approach to educational design: prioritizing inclusivity, environmental care, and community impact. As the speakers demonstrated, the architecture of knowledge is not just about buildings; it is about shaping the way we learn, share, and grow together.

_article written by Daniela Moreira da Silva
_speaker 01: Francesca Singer - Partner and Architect at SANAA
_speaker 02: Francis Kéré - Founder of Kéré Architecture
_speaker 03: Jaime Herraiz - Senior architect at Kéré Architecture