In a world marked by climate crises, social inequalities, and rapid transformations, the role of the architect is changing. It is no longer centred on delivering iconic buildings but on creating platforms for autonomy, learning, and replicability within a territory. This shift reflects a broader understanding of culture today, where architecture is not only a container for cultural expression but a cultural act in itself, a way of building relationships, knowledge, and collective meaning. Projects that function as "schools of construction" demonstrate how choosing local materials, adopting participatory methods, and empowering communities have become essential strategies for creating architecture that is both meaningful and resilient, capable of sustaining life and culture in uncertain times. One example is the CEM Kamanar Secondary School in Thionck Essyl, Senegal, designed by dawoffice / Foundawtion, which won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2022. The complex was built with locally moulded clay blocks arranged in modular vaults that ensure thermal comfort and low cost. More than a construction site, the process became a training ground where masons and young residents learned and refined traditional building techniques.