Developed to establish an exchange between local craftsmen, builders, architects, students, and visitors, Atelier Gando was initiated under the organization of Francis Kéré with the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio in Switzerland. The Atelier will function mainly as a center for sustainable construction technologies and research where indigenous building methods can be studied and innovated for contemporary applications. The project will also continue to support the ongoing building developments in the region by providing workshop space, temporary lodging for students and workers, and storage for tools and materials.

Parallel to supporting education for the Burkinabese, the Atelier also introduces a crucial component of architectural training for students from established western institutions. As a lesson in building for rural and impoverished areas, students are challenged to be resourceful with methods and building materials, working closely as a team and staying flexible according to difficult conditions on site. The building itself is an example of this creative exchange of tradition and modernity. To address current needs, the workshops will also focus on communication tasks to complement the design.