The renowned Germany-based architectural firm Kéré Architecture has achieved recognition beyond the realm of building design by winning the "Best Jersey Design" award at Berlin's architecture football championship. The firm created a custom football kit for their team to compete in the unique tournament that brings together architecture studios from across the German capital.
The winning design emerged from an internal competition held within the studio, where architect Ho-Jae Lee's creative vision ultimately prevailed. Lee's design drew direct inspiration from one of the firm's most celebrated installations – the Sarbalé Ke project that captivated audiences at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. This connection demonstrates the studio's philosophy of translating architectural concepts across diverse mediums and contexts.
"The jersey design emerged from an internal competition at Kéré Architecture, won by architect Ho-Jae Lee, demonstrating how ideas from architectural projects can translate into unexpected contexts, from large-scale installations to sportswear," the studio explained in their statement about the project.
The football kit features a striking yellow and dark blue color scheme that incorporates the characteristic triangular geometry that adorned the original Sarbalé Ke installation. These triangular patterns are not merely decorative elements but represent a recurring architectural motif that appears throughout Kéré Architecture's portfolio. The same geometric language can be found in several of the firm's prestigious projects, including the Serpentine Pavilion in London, the Thomas Sankara Memorial in Burkina Faso, and the proposed Las Vegas Museum of Art.
The triangular pattern wraps seamlessly around the entire shirt, creating a dynamic visual effect that maintains the architectural integrity of the original installation while adapting to the practical requirements of sportswear. The design is completed with the word "Kéré" prominently printed on the back above the player numbers, establishing clear brand identity. The kit includes simple white shorts featuring a complementary blue and yellow side stripe that ties the entire uniform together. For the goalkeeper position, the team created an alternative version using blue and maroon colors, maintaining the same geometric design principles while providing the necessary visual distinction required in football.
Kéré Architecture unveiled their custom kit during the ABC Cup architecture football championship held in Berlin earlier this year. The tournament brought together teams from 14 different Berlin-based architectural firms, creating a unique sporting competition within the design community. Among the participating studios were several internationally recognized names, including GMP, Sauerbruch Hutton, David Chipperfield Architects, and Max Dudler, making the "Best Jersey Design" victory particularly significant given the caliber of the competition.
The success of this project reflects the broader achievements and reputation of Kéré Architecture and its founder, Diébédo Francis Kéré. The firm was established in 2005 and has since grown to become one of the most influential architectural practices working at the intersection of sustainable design and cultural sensitivity. Kéré's exceptional contributions to architecture were recognized at the highest level when he was named the winner of the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2022, becoming the first African architect to receive this honor. His influence extends beyond traditional architectural circles, as evidenced by his inclusion in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential climate leaders in 2023.
The studio continues to push boundaries with recent projects that demonstrate their commitment to community-focused, environmentally conscious design. These include a community center in Uganda that serves local residents while incorporating sustainable building practices, and an innovative educational campus in Kenya that draws inspiration from natural phenomena, specifically the ventilation systems found in termite mounds. These projects exemplify the firm's approach to architecture as a tool for positive social and environmental impact, making their creative expansion into sportswear design a natural extension of their innovative thinking.
