David Adjaye

Adjaye was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The son of a Ghanaian diplomat, he lived in Tanzania, Egypt, Yemen and LebanonShaw, William (2 April 2006), [https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/02/style/tmagazine/t_d_p140_143_well_adjaye_.html "Man With a Plan"], The New York Times Magazine. before moving to Britain at the age of nine.{{cite web |url=http://www.fastcompany.com/design/2009/featured-story-david-adjaye |title=Feature: David Adjaye |access-date= 10 March 2012 |first=Jeff |last=Chu |year=2009 |publisher=Fast Company |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528155031/http://www.fastcompany.com/design/2009/featured-story-david-adjaye |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 May 2010 }} Upon graduating from London South Bank University with a BA degree in architecture{{cite web |title=Black History Month: Honorary Graduates |url=https://library.lsbu.ac.uk/llrblog/generalblog/Black-History-Month-Honorary-Graduates |website=London South Bank University |access-date=21 May 2024}} in 1990,{{cite web |title=David Adjaye: architect |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/David-Adjaye |website=Britannica.com |access-date=21 May 2024}} he won the RIBA Bronze Medal for the best undergraduate design project in the UK (the Respite project).{{cite news |last1=Young |first1=Eleanor |title=David Adjaye: why I had to chart a different path to success |url=https://www.ribaj.com/culture/royal-gold-medal-2021-david-adjaye-profile |access-date=21 May 2024 |work=RIBA Journal |date=27 October 2020}}{{cite web |date=7 October 2019 |title=BAME award winners: Sir David Adjaye OBE |url=https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/knowledge-landing-page/bame-award-winners-sir-david-adjaye-obe |access-date=20 February 2021 |website=Architecture.com |publisher=RIBA}} In 1993 he graduated from a master's programme at the Royal College of Art.

File:National Museum of African American History and Culture in February 2020.jpg, Washington, D.C.]]

File:Abrahamic House AD.jpg

Adjaye's early works include many residential projects, including Chris Ofili's house in 1999, Dirty House and Glass House{{Cite web|date=2020-02-27|title=David Adjaye on How a Home Can Be a Refuge|url=https://aperture.org/blog/aperture-238-david-adjaye/|author-link=Emmanuel Iduma|first=Emmanuel|last= Iduma|access-date=2020-09-14|website=Aperture|publisher=Aperture Foundation NY}} in 2002, and Lorna Simpson's studio-home in 2006. He then moved on to larger scale{{Cite web|date=2017-11-13|title=david adjaye discusses his relationship with art and architecture|url=https://www.designboom.com/architecture/sir-david-adjaye-frieze-art-conference-11-13-2017/|access-date=2020-09-14|website=Designboom|first=Tim|last=Spears}} projects such as the Idea Store in Whitechapel, UK, and the Nobel Peace Center{{Cite news|date=2006-01-02|first=Steve |last=Rose |title=Nobel: the remix|newspaper=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2006/jan/02/architecture|access-date=2020-09-14|issn=0261-3077}} in Oslo, Norway, in 2005.

The studio's first solo exhibition, David Adjaye: Making Public Buildings, was shown at the Whitechapel Gallery in London in January 2006, with Thames and Hudson publishing the catalogue of the same name. This followed their 2005 publication of Adjaye's first book, David Adjaye Houses.[http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/faculty/details.cgi?faculty_id=1354 David Adjaye], Harvard Design School. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427194250/http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/faculty/details.cgi?faculty_id=1354 |date=27 April 2011 }}

Other prominent early works include the Bernie Grant Arts Centre and the Stephen Lawrence Centre in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2008/03/04/stephen-lawrence-centre-by-adjaye-associates/|title=Stephen Lawrence Centre by Adjaye Associates|website=Dezeen|first=Marcus|last= Fairs |date= 4 March 2008|access-date=20 February 2021}}

Adjaye was selected to design the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, which opened in 2007. The building, Adjaye's first museum commission, was designed to minimize boundaries between the exterior spaces of the city and the interior galleries of the museum. Hidden skylights fill the interior spaces with natural light, and large windows look out on the city streets. The building has five galleries as well as dedicated education spaces, a shop, library and rooftop café.{{Cite web |date=2012-03-19 |title=Museum of Contemporary Art / Adjaye Associates |url=https://www.archdaily.com/214197/museum-of-contemporary-art-adjaye-associates |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=ArchDaily |language=en-US}}

Adjaye won a competition to design the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo which was completed in 2010.{{cite web|url=https://archi.ru/en/8520/david-adjaye-interview-and-text-by-vladimir-belogolovskiy|title=David Adjaye. Interview and text by Vladimir Belogolovskiy|first=Vladimir|last= Belogolovsky|website=Archi.ru|date=9 September 2008|access-date=20 February 2021}} Rejecting the traditional campus-style, the building is designed as one form to encourage student interaction.

Adjaye designed two new neighbourhood libraries in Washington, D.C.: the Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library and the Bellevue / William O. Lockridge Library, which opened in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.designboom.com/architecture/adjaye-associates-two-libraries-for-washington-dc/|title=adjaye associates: two libraries for washington DC|website=Designboom|first=Lauren |last=Grieco|date=31 July 2012|access-date=20 February 2021}} The award-winning libraries are celebrated for being community beacons.

In 2015, the Aishti Foundation, a mixed art gallery and retail space, opened in Beirut, Lebanon.{{cite web|url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/artists/making-waves-tony-salame-s-aishti-goes-big-in-beirut-4442/ |title=Making Waves: Tony Salamé's Aïshti Goes Big in Beirut |first=Sarah|last=Douglas|website=artnews.com |date=2015-06-29 |access-date=2020-10-23}} The gallery space is over 40,000 square feet. Adjaye's design marries art viewing with shopping, two seemingly conflicting experiences.{{Cite web |date=2015-11-05 |title=David Adjaye's Aïshti Foundation nears completion in Beirut |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2015/11/05/david-adjaye-aishti-foundation-gallery-shopping-centre-nears-completion-beirut-lebanon/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Dezeen |language=en}}

On 15 April 2009, Adjaye was selected lead architect{{cite magazine|url=https://pinupmagazine.org/articles/constructing-narrative-interview-with-david-adjaye|title=Interview with David Adjaye about the National Museum of African American History and Culture|first=Andrew|last= Ayers|magazine=Pin-Up |access-date=20 February 2021}} for the team of architects, which includes the Freelon Group, Davis Brody Bond and SmithGroup, to design the new $540 million National Museum of African American History and Culture, a Smithsonian Institution museum, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.Jordana, Sebastian (17 April 2009). [http://www.archdaily.com/20040/david-adjaye-will-design-the-national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture/ "David Adjaye wins competition for the National Museum of African American History and Culture"], ArchDaily. Retrieved 16 July 2013. His design features a crown motif from Yoruba sculpture.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/14/AR2009041401205.html|title=Designer Chosen for Black History Museum |last1=Trescott |first1=Jacqueline |date=15 April 2009 |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=26 December 2015}}Taylor, Kate (22 January 2011), [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/us/23smithsonian.html?_r=0 "The Thorny Path to a National Black Museum"], The New York Times. The museum opened in the fall of 2016 and was named "the cultural event of the year" by The New York Times.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/09/15/arts/design/national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture.html|title=The National Museum of African American History and Culture: I, Too, Sing America|newspaper=The New York Times|date=15 September 2016}} It was also the subject of a profile on the Sky Arts programme The Art of Architecture in 2019.{{cite web |title=The Art of Architecture - S1 - Episode 7 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/jmjfpx/the-art-of-architecture--series-1-episode-7/ |website=Radio Times |access-date=26 February 2021 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119130236/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/jmjfpx/the-art-of-architecture--series-1-episode-7/ |url-status=dead }} Furniture that Adjaye designed for the museum is manufactured and sold by Knoll.{{Cite web |title=Sir David Adjaye {{!}} Knoll |url=https://www.knoll.com/designer/Sir-David-Adjaye |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=www.knoll.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Knoll 'Washington Skeleton' Aluminum Side Chair |url=https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/332910 |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Philadelphia Museum of Art |language=en}}

In 2007, artist Linda Pace reached out to Adjaye to design a contemporary art centre for her art collection shortly before she died from breast cancer that year.{{cite web|url=https://www.archpaper.com/2019/10/david-adjaye-ruby-city-crit/|title=David Adjaye's Ruby City is an imposing monument to art in southern Texas|first=Jonathan|last= Hilburg|website=The Architect's Newspaper |date=October 2, 2019|access-date=20 February 2021}} Ruby City, located in San Antonio, Texas, opened in 2019.{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.rubycity.org/about |website=Ruby City |access-date=4 July 2023}}

In 2018, 1199SEIU President George Gresham{{Cite web |title=George Gresham re-elected President of 1199SEIU |url=https://www.1199seiu.org/media-center/george-gresham-re-elected-president-1199seiu |date=22 June 2022|access-date=2022-10-16 |website=1199SEIU |language=en}} reached out to Adjaye, who later accepted the commission{{Cite web |date=2020-10-27 |title=The house that essential workers built |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2020/10/history-of-1199seiu-and-american-labor-unions-new-adjaye-associates-home/ |first= Samuel|last= Medina|access-date=2022-10-16 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East |url=https://www.adjaye.com/work/1199-seiu-united-healthcare-workers-east/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Adjaye Associates |language=en}} to design the new 16,500-square-foot member space. The designed featured hundreds of photos gathered from the union's vast photo archive and placed on ceramic tiles produced by Cerámica Suro in Guadalajara, Mexico. The 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is located in New York, New York, and was completed in 2020. The designed was named Architect's Newspaper Best of Design for Interior Workplace in 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-12-02 |title=Announcing the winners of the 2020 AN Best of Design Awards |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2020/12/2020-an-best-of-design-awards/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |language=en-US}}

File:WP Library & Events Center (c) Dror Baldinger, FAIA 1.jpg

In 2017, Adjaye in conjunction with HuntonBrady Architects revealed the design of the Winter Park Library and Events Center{{Cite web |date=2017-11-15 |title=Adjaye Associates Reveals Design of Winter Park Library and Events Center in Florida |url=https://www.archdaily.com/883750/adjaye-associates-reveals-design-of-winter-park-library-and-events-center-in-florida |first=Patrick|last= Lynch|access-date=2022-10-16 |website=ArchDaily |language=en-US}} in Winter Park, Florida. The library officially opened to the public on 13 December 2021.{{Cite web |first=Myrto |last=Katsikopoulou I. |date=2021-12-12 |title=david adjaye's winter park library & events center opens its doors in florida |url=https://www.designboom.com/architecture/david-adjaye-winter-park-library-events-center-opens-doors-florida-12-12-2021/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=designboom {{!}} architecture & design magazine |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Adjaye Associates' Winter Park Library & Events Center opens in Florida |url=https://archinect.com/news/article/150293236/adjaye-associates-winter-park-library-events-center-opens-in-florida |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Archinect |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Winter Park Library & Events Center |url=https://www.adjaye.com/work/winter-park-library-events-center/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Adjaye Associates |language=en}} In 2022, it was the Jury Winner in the Library Category for the Architizer A+ Awards.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-07 |title=Architecture for the Ages: Announcing the Winners of the 10th Annual A+Awards! |url=https://architizer.com/blog/inside-architizer/updates/2022-aawards-winners-announcement/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Winter Park Library and Events Center by Adjaye Associates {{!}} 2022-03-01 {{!}} Architectural Record |url=https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15531-winter-park-library-and-events-center-by-adjaye-associates |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=www.architecturalrecord.com |language=en}}

In 2023, Adjaye's first permanent public sculpture, titled Asaase III was unveiled. The artwork is located at The Griot Museum of Black History in St. Louis, Missouri, and was commissioned by curator Allison Glenn for the 2023 Counterpublic triennial.{{Cite web |last=Hamelo |first=Gameli |date=June 1, 2023 |title=David Adjaye on His First Permanent Sculpture: This Is 'How I Imagine an Ideal City' |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/artists/qa-david-adjaye-on-his-first-permanent-sculpture-1234670283/ |website=ARTnews}}

Alongside his international commissions, Adjaye's work spans exhibitions, private homes and furniture. He built homes for the designer Alexander McQueen, artist Jake Chapman, photographer Jürgen Teller, actor Ewan McGregor, and artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster. For artist Chris Ofili, he designed a new studio and a beach house in Port of Spain, Trinidad.Solway, Diane (March 2011), [http://www.wmagazine.com/artdesign/2011/03/david_adjaye_architect "Where In The World Is David Adjaye?"] W.

Adjaye is also known for his collaborations with contemporary artists on installations and exhibitions. He worked with Ofili to create an environment for The Upper Room, which was later acquired by Tate Britain and caused a nationwide media debate. Adjaye collaborated with artist Olafur Eliasson to create a light installation, Your black horizon, at the 2005 Venice Biennale. He has also worked on the art project Sankalpa with director Shekhar Kapur.Milmo, Cahal (24 July 2009), [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/david-adjaye-downfall-of-the-showman-1759277.html "David Adjaye: Downfall of the showman"], The Independent. In May 2019, the Ghana Freedom Pavilion - designed by Adjaye - was inaugurated at the 58th Venice Art Biennale.{{cite web|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2019/05/13/david-adjaye-ghana-pavilion-venice-art-biennale/#:~:text=Now%20open%20in%20the%20Venetian,topped%20by%20a%20wooden%20roof.|title=David Adjaye creates earth-house pavilion for Ghana at Venice Art Biennale|first=Lizzie|last= Crook |date= 13 May 2019|website=Dezeen|access-date=20 February 2021}} He also designed the 56th Venice Art Biennale with the late curator Okwui Enwezor; the River Reading Room for the Gwangju Biennale;{{cite web|url=https://www.designboom.com/architecture/david-adjaye-taiye-selasi-gwangju-river-reading-room-12-20-2013/|title=david adjaye & taiye selasi: gwangju river reading room|first=Heather |last=Carlsen|date=20 December 2013|website=Designboom|access-date=20 February 2021}} and the Sclera Pavilion for the London Design Festival.{{cite web|url=https://www.world-architects.com/en/architecture-news/found/david-adjayes-sclera-reborn|title=David Adjaye's Sclera Reborn|first=John |last=Hill|website=World-Architects.com|date=6 February 2019|access-date=20 February 2021}}

Adjaye co-authored two seasons of the BBC's Dreamspaces television series and hosts a BBC radio programme. In June 2005, he presented the documentary Building Africa: Architecture of a Continent. In 2008, he participated in Manifesta 7[http://www.manifesta7.it/artists/355?language=2 David Adjaye] manifesta7. and the Gwangju Biennale. Making Place: The Architecture of David Adjaye was on display at the Art Institute of Chicago from September 2015 to January 2016.artic.edu [http://www.artic.edu/exhibition/david-adjaye Making Place: The Architecture of David Adjaye] In November 2020, Adjaye published his early portfolio in his book titled Adjaye Works 1995–2007: Houses, Pavilions, Installations, Buildings {{Cite book |last=Adjaye |first=David |url=https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/david-adjaye-works-1995-2007-houses-pavilions-installations-buildings-hardcover |title=Adjaye Works 1995-2007: Houses, Pavilions, Installations, Buildings |publisher=Thames & Hudson, Ltd |editor= Peter Allison |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-500-34351-7 |location=London |oclc=1140140896}} with Peter Allison and Thames & Hudson. In September 2022, Adjaye published his continued portfolio in his latest book titled Adjaye Works 2007 - 2015: Houses, Pavilions, Installations, Buildings {{Cite book |last=Adjaye |first=David |url=https://www.thamesandhudsonusa.com/books/adjaye-works-2007-2015-houses-pavilions-installations-buildings-hardcover |title=Adjaye. Works 2007-2015: houses, pavilions, installations, buildings. |date=2022 |publisher=Thames & Hudson Ltd |editor= Peter Allison, Contributions by Ila Berman |isbn=978-0-500-34380-7 |location=London |oclc=1336487959}} with Peter Allison and Thames & Hudson.

In 2015, Adjaye was commissioned to design a new home for the Studio Museum in Harlem.McKnight, Jenna (7 July 2015), [https://www.dezeen.com/2015/07/07/david-adjaye-studio-museum-harlem-new-york-african-american-art/ "David Adjaye designs new home for Harlem's Studio Museum"], Dezeen.Smith, Jennifer (6 July 2015), [https://www.wsj.com/articles/harlems-studio-museum-will-expand-1436230830 "Harlem's Studio Museum Will Expand"], The Wall Street Journal.

In March 2018, Adjaye Associates' designs for the National Cathedral of Ghana were unveiled by Ghanaian president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.{{cite web |last=Waldek |first=Stefanie |date=6 March 2018 |title=David Adjaye Unveils Designs for the National Cathedral of Ghana |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/david-adjaye-national-cathedral-of-ghana |access-date=8 March 2018 |website=Architectural Digest}}

In September 2020, Adjaye unveiled his designs for the Princeton University Art Museum.{{Cite web |last=Ravenscroft |first=Tom |date=2020-09-24 |title=Adjaye Associates unveils 'romantic and porous' Princeton University Art Museum |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2020/09/24/princeton-university-art-museum-adjaye-associates/ |access-date=2020-09-29 |website=Dezeen}} That same year, he also unveiled his designs for the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library{{Cite web |last=Hickman |first=Matt |date=2020-11-19 |title=Adjaye Associates reveals the new Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library in Johannesburg |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2020/11/adjaye-associates-reveals-thabo-mbeki-presidential-library-in-johannesburg/ |access-date=2021-08-15 |website=The Architect's Newspaper}} as well as The Martyrs Memorial{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Philip |date=2020-10-15 |title=david adjaye plans martyrs memorial for niamey, niger |url=https://www.designboom.com/architecture/david-adjaye-martyrs-memorial-niamey-niger-10-15-2020/ |access-date=2021-08-15 |website=Designboom}} in Niamey, Niger.

In November 2020, Adjaye revealed his vision for the Museum of West African Art which will be built in Benin City, Nigeria. Adjaye Associates' building will house historic art and artefacts as well as incorporate galleries dedicated to contemporary arts.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

In 2021, Adjaye revealed his design for the District Hospitals project across Ghana, Accra and The Africa Institute in Sharjah, UAE.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

In April 2021, the Cherry Groce Memorial Pavilion was completed in Brixton.{{cite news |title=Adjaye Associates Completes Cherry Groce Memorial Pavilion In Brixton |url=https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-news/evpez/adjaye-associates-completes-cherry-groce-memorial-pavilion-in-brixton.html |access-date=4 July 2023 |work=World Architecture |date=27 April 2021}} Commissioned by the Cherry Groce Foundation, the memorial is in honour of Cherry Groce, who was shot in her home by the Metropolitan Police in front of her children on 28 September 1985, sparking the 1985 Brixton riot.{{Cite web |title=Dorothy 'Cherry' Groce |url=http://www.londonremembers.com/subjects/dorothy-cherry-groce/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=London Remembers |language=en}}

In September 2022, the W. E. B. Du Bois Museum Foundation unveiled the plans and renderings for the new W. E. B. Du Bois Museum Complex in Accra, Ghana, designed by Adjaye.{{Cite web |date=20 September 2022 |title=Plans Unveiled For W. E. B. Du Bois Museum Complex In Ghana {{!}} Black Star News |url=https://www.blackstarnews.com/others/extras/plans-unveiled-for-w-e-b-du-bois-museum-complex-in-ghana.html |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=www.blackstarnews.com}}

In October 2022, Grinnell College Board of Trustees approved construction of the new Civic Engagement Quad Core Project designed by Adjaye, slated to open in fall 2024.{{Cite web |title=Grinnell College Board of Trustees Approves Construction of the Civic Engagement Quad Core Project {{!}} Grinnell College |url=https://www.grinnell.edu/news/grinnell-college-board-trustees-approves-construction-civic-engagement-quad-core-project |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=www.grinnell.edu}}

His other recent works include interiors for the SEIU 1199 Healthcare Workers' East in New York City,{{Cite web|date=2020-10-28|title=adjaye associates completes interiors of 1199SEIU union in NYC|url=https://www.designboom.com/architecture/adjaye-associates-1199seiu-health-care-union-new-york-10-28-2020/|access-date=2021-08-15|website=Designboom}} The Webster in Los Angeles, California (2020),{{Cite web|date=2020-01-22|title=David Adjaye on His Majestic, Grapefruit-Colored Design for The Webster L.A.|url=https://www.surfacemag.com/articles/david-adjaye-webster-los-angeles/|access-date=2020-09-09|first=Tiffany|last=Jow|website=Surface}} Mole House in London, UK (2019),{{Cite web|title=How Artist Sue Webster Transformed Hackney's Mole Man House And Its Labyrinthine Underground Warren|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/sue-webster-hackney-mole-house|first=Ellie|last=Pithers|date=16 November 2019|access-date=2020-09-09|website=British Vogue}}{{Cite web|last=Stathaki|first=Ellie|date=2020-01-09|title=Step inside David Adjaye and Sue Webster's Mole House in London's Hackney|url=https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/mole-house-sue-webster-david-adjaye-london|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Wallpaper*}} Ruby City in San Antonio, Texas (2019),{{Cite web|last=Bloiseau|first=Benoit|date=2019-10-16|title=Ruby City by David Adjaye is Texas' newest architectural jewel|url=https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/ruby-city-david-adjaye-usa|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Wallpaper*}}{{Cite web|date=2019-11-25|title=The Ruby City Museum, by David Adjaye, is a Texas Gem|first=Alex|last= Bozikovic|url=https://www.azuremagazine.com/article/david-adjayes-ruby-city-is-the-latest-gem-in-the-american-southwest/|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Azure}} McCarter Switching Station in Newark, New Jersey (2018),{{Cite web|date=2018-04-12|title=Adjaye Associates delivers a high-design switching station in Newark|first=Audrey|last= Wachs|url=https://www.archpaper.com/2018/04/adjaye-associates-delivers-high-design-switching-station-in-newark/|access-date=2020-09-29|website=The Architect's Newspaper}} Sugar Hill Mixed-Use Development in Harlem, New York (2015),{{Cite web|date=2014-06-11|title=David Adjaye's Sugar Hill Development: A New Typology for Affordable Housing|url=https://www.archdaily.com/514785/david-adjaye-s-sugar-hill-development-a-new-typology-for-affordable-housing|access-date=2020-09-29|website=ArchDaily}} Alara Concept Store in Lagos, Nigeria (2015),{{Cite web|date=2015-12-08|title=Lagos Luxury: Alara Concept Store in Lagos by Adjaye Associates|url=https://www.livinspaces.net/projects/architecture/lagos-luxury-alara-concept-store-in-lagos-by-adjaye-associates/|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Livin Spaces}} Aïshti Foundation in Beirut, Lebanon (2015).{{Cite web|date=2015-11-05|title=David Adjaye's Aïshti Foundation nears completion in Beirut|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2015/11/05/david-adjaye-aishti-foundation-gallery-shopping-centre-nears-completion-beirut-lebanon/|first=Anna|last= Winston|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Dezeen}}

His design for the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE, opened in 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-23 |title=Adjaye Associates unveils Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2023/02/23/david-adjaye-abrahamic-family-house-interfaith-complex/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Dezeen |language=en}} It is inspired by the Document on Human Fraternity and has a mosque, church, and synagogue, celebrating the three major Abrahamic religions. It also includes a cultural center which promotes the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.{{cite news |last=Crook |first=Lizzie |date=26 September 2019 |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2019/09/26/david-adjaye-the-abrahamic-family-house-temples-abu-dhabi-architecture/amp/ |title=David Adjaye designs trio of multifaith temples in Abu Dhabi |work=Dezeen}}{{Cite web |title=Abrahamic Family House |url=https://www.adjaye.com/work/the-abrahamic-family-house/ |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Adjaye Associates |language=en}}

In July 2023, developer Hondo withdrew its planning application for an Adjaye Associates-designed 22-storey tower in Brixton, south London, days before a Greater London Authority hearing. The 98m-tall block received over 1,000 objections from locals and was criticised for its prominence in a mostly low-rise area.{{cite news |last1=Lowe |first1=Tom |title=Adjaye's controversial Brixton tower pulled ahead of GLA hearing |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/adjayes-controversial-brixton-tower-pulled-ahead-of-gla-hearing/5124192.article |access-date=18 July 2023 |work=Building |date=18 July 2023}}

File:DJI 0062-Enhanced-NR.jpg

In 2024 the Bank of Ghana inaugurated Bank Square in Accra, designed by Adjaye Associates. Ghanaian politician Gabby Otchere Darko called the building "one of the most impressive financial houses in the whole of Africa".{{Cite web |last=Nartey |first=Laud |date=2024-11-21 |title=The Bank Square: I admire govt's courage to award major civil work contracts to 100% Ghanaian-owned companies – Gabby |url=https://3news.com/news/the-bank-square-i-admire-govts-courage-to-award-major-civil-work-contracts-to-100-ghanaian-owned-companies-gabby/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |language=en-US}}

In January 2025, the government of Ghana launched an investigation into the funding of the unbuilt National Cathedral of Ghana in Accra, designed by Adjaye's studio.{{cite web |title=Ghana to Investigate $400 M. David Adjaye–Designed National Cathedral in Accra |url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/david-adjaye-national-cathedral-of-ghana-investigation-1234730549/ |website=artnews.com |date=21 January 2025 |access-date=13 March 2025}} According to reports, $58 million of taxpayer's money has been spent on the $400 million cathedral despite construction not starting.{{cite web |title=New Ghanaian government to probe Adjaye's contentious cathedral project |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/new-ghanaian-government-to-probe-adjayes-contentious-cathedral-project |website=The Architects' Journal |date=17 January 2025 |access-date=13 March 2025}}

Adjaye established his practice in 2000 as Adjaye Associates.{{Cite web|title=Adjaye Associates|url=https://www.adjaye.com/|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Adjaye Associates}} The firm now operates globally with offices in Accra, London, and New York and has completed projects in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.{{cite web|url=https://www.adjaye.com/who-we-are/firm-profile/|title=Firm Profile|website=Adjaye Associates|access-date=20 February 2021}}

In March 2024, the practice announced the appointment of three new CEOs to lead Adjaye Associates' three global studios – described as a 'fundamental change'.{{cite news |last1=Spocchia |first1=Gino |title=David Adjaye announces 'fundamental change' at Adjaye Associates |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/david-adjaye-announces-fundamental-change-at-adjaye-associates |access-date=20 March 2024 |work=Architects' Journal |date=20 March 2024}} The three CEOs, Lucy Tilley, Pascale Sablan and Kofi Bio, lead each of the Adjaye Associates' three global studios in London, New York, and Accra. Adjaye was named the executive chair of the group and remains as principal architect of the firm leading design direction.{{cite news |last1=Klein |first1=Kristine |title=Adjaye Associates announces a shift in how the firm will be run |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2024/03/adjaye-associates-shift-firm-run/ |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=The Architect's Newspaper |date=18 March 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Carlson |first1=Cajsa |title=Adjaye Associates appoints CEOs to lead studio in its "next chapter" |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2024/03/18/adjaye-associates-restructure-ceos/ |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=Dezeen |date=18 March 2024}}

In March 2025, the practice reported a pre-tax loss of £720,000 (down from a £2.5m profit the previous year) for the year ending 31 December 2023. Turnover dropped over £3 million from £20.4m to £17.1m. The accounts covered the period when sexual misconduct allegations were made against David Adjaye, and when the firm made redundancies, reducing its payroll from 110 to 85.{{cite news |last1=Waite |first1=Richard |title=Adjaye Associates makes £700,000 pre-tax loss |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/adjaye-associates-makes-700000-loss |access-date=17 March 2025 |work=Architects' Journal |date=17 March 2025}}

In 2023, Adjaye faced allegations of sexual assault and harassment by three women who had worked in his practice;{{Cite news |last1=Raval |first1=Anjli |last2=Spero |first2=Josh |date=2023-07-04 |title=Sir David Adjaye: the celebrated architect accused of sexual misconduct |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/1a03a13c-a0b3-41c9-9a7b-702719ac6d58 |access-date=2023-07-04}} he denied the allegations and no charges were brought against him. He did apologise for what he called "mistakes" where he had "blurred the boundaries" between his professional and personal lives.{{cite news |last1=Highfield |first1=Anna |date=5 July 2023 |title=Adjaye 'steps back' from major roles amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations |work=Architects' Journal |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/adjaye-steps-back-from-major-roles-following-sexual-assault-allegations |access-date=5 July 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Carlson |first1=Cajsa |title=David Adjaye accused of sexual misconduct by three women |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2023/07/04/david-adjaye-accused-sexual-misconduct-three-women/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |work=Dezeen |date=4 July 2023}} He subsequently resigned from his role as architectural adviser to the Mayor of London, removed himself from involvement in the Holocaust memorial in Britain although Adjaye Associates continue as lead architect,{{Cite news |last=Gutteridge |first=Nick |date=2024-09-04 |title=Lord Cameron insists Holocaust memorial must be built next to parliament |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/09/04/lord-cameron-insists-holocaust-memorial-built-westminster/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite news |last=Marshall |first=Alex |date=2023-07-04 |title=David Adjaye Relinquishes Roles After Reported Accusations of Misconduct |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/04/arts/design/david-adjaye-architect-sexual-assault.html |access-date=2023-07-04 |issn=0362-4331}} the Africa Institute in Sharjah cancelled a major new campus project,{{cite news |last1=Highfield |first1=Anna |title='Deeply troubled' Africa Institute cancels major David Adjaye project |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/deeply-troubled-africa-institute-cancels-major-david-adjaye-project |access-date=11 July 2023 |work=Architects' Journal |date=11 July 2023}} and his practice was dropped from a £57 million project at Liverpool's International Slavery Museum.{{cite news |last1=Waite |first1=Richard |title=Adjaye dropped from £57m revamp of Liverpool Slavery Museum |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/adjaye-dropped-from-57m-revamp-of-liverpool-slavery-museum |access-date=11 August 2023 |work=Architects' Journal |date=11 August 2023}}

Following the allegations and clients withdrawing projects from Adjaye's practice, the business was reported to have begun a redundancy programme. Former employees also complained of a 'toxic' workplace culture at the practice.{{cite news |last1=Hurst |first1=Will |last2=Highfield |first2=Anna |last3=Waite |first3=Richard |date=14 September 2023 |title='The Cult of David': Former Adjaye Associates employees speak out as practice cuts staff |url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/the-cult-of-david-former-adjaye-associates-employees-speak-out-as-practice-cuts-staff |access-date=15 September 2023 |work=Architects' Journal}} Adjaye Associates commissioned an independent workplace review{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Jack |date=2024-06-25 |title=Pascale Sablan, CEO of Adjaye Associates's New York office, opens up about her work and the current state of the practice |url=https://www.archpaper.com/2024/06/pascale-sablan-ceo-of-adjaye-associatess-her-work-current-state-practice/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=The Architect's Newspaper |language=en-US}} from a leading employment KC following the complaints and have publicly said that they have made significant changes including restructuring the firm's governance{{Cite web |last=Flatman2024-06-28T06:00:00+01:00 |first=Ben |title=Adjaye London CEO Lucy Tilley: 'We'll work even harder to carry on our legacy. We'll keep going' |url=https://www.bdonline.co.uk/briefing/adjaye-london-ceo-lucy-tilley-well-work-even-harder-to-carry-on-our-legacy-well-keep-going/5130132.article |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Building Design |language=en}} with the stated intention of becoming an exceptional workplace.

Adjaye was the first Louis Kahn visiting professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and was the Kenzo Tange Professor in Architecture at Harvard Graduate School of Design. In addition, he is a RIBA Chartered Member, an AIA Honorary Fellow, a Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council.{{Cite web |date=2007-11-06 |title=Senior Fellows |url=http://www.di.net/about/senior_fellows/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106072349/http://www.di.net/about/senior_fellows/ |archive-date=2007-11-06 |access-date=18 February 2023 |publisher=DesignIntelligence}} He is a member of the Advisory Council of the Barcelona Institute of Architecture and also serves as member of the Advisory Boards of the Barcelona Institute of Architecture and the LSE Cities Programme.[http://www2.lse.ac.uk/LSECities/whosWho/advisoryBoard.aspx David Adjaye], LSE Cities.

David Adjaye is a younger brother of stem cell scientist James Adjaye.{{Cite web |date=2016-07-14 |title=Dirty house music: how David Adjaye's DJ brother turns his buildings into beats |url=http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/jul/14/dirty-house-music-how-david-adjayes-dj-brother-turns-his-buildings-into-beats |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}

In January 2014, Adjaye married Ashley Shaw-Scott in London's St Paul's Cathedral.[http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/01/20/ghanaian-british-architect-david-adjaye-weds-ashley-shaw-scott/ "Ghanaian-British Architect David Adjaye weds Ashley Shaw-Scott"], BellaNaija, 18 January 2014. Chris Ofili was his best man.Hudson, Rykesha (21 January 2014), [http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/renowned-british-ghanaian-architect-weds-model "Renowned British-Ghanaian Architect Weds Model"], The Voice.

Adjaye has also worked on numerous collaborative projects with his brother Peter Adjaye, a musician.[http://www.architecturefoundation.org.uk/programme/2011/musicity "Musicity"], The Architecture Foundation, 19 April 2011.[http://www.neromagazine.it/n/?p=14478 "Meeting Architecture Part 5: David Adjaye and Peter Adjaye – MAXXI"], Nero Magazine.

In 2018, along with Bono and Theaster Gates, Adjaye curated the third (RED) auction in Miami to support the Global Fund's work against AIDS,Spence, Rachel (2 November 2018), [https://www.ft.com/content/7d7dbb62-db76-11e8-b173-ebef6ab1374a "Bono, David Adjaye and Theaster Gates discuss their Red auction"], Financial Times. raising a total $10.5 million, including matching funds by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.[https://www.sothebys.com/en/series/red-auction-in-miami-raises-10-5-million-for-the-fight-against-aids (RED) Auction in Miami Raises $10.5 Million for the Fight Against AIDS] Sotheby's, press release of 6 December 2018.

In 2006, Adjaye was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize for the Whitechapel Idea Store, built on the remains of a 1960s mall.{{Cite news|date=2014-08-08|title=David Adjaye's African architecture inspiration|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-28692859|access-date=2020-11-04}} He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2007 for services to British architecture. In 2016 he received the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's McDermott award, a $100,000 prize for excellence in the arts.{{cite web|url=http://arts.mit.edu/events-visit/mcdermott/past-recipients/|title=McDermott Award Past Recipients|author=MIT Office for the Arts|access-date=27 March 2016}} That same year, he was elected to the American Philosophical Society.{{Cite web|title=APS Member History|url=https://search.amphilsoc.org/memhist/search?creator=David+Adjaye&title=&subject=&subdiv=&mem=&year=&year-max=&dead=&keyword=&smode=advanced|access-date=2021-02-18|website=search.amphilsoc.org}} Adjaye was knighted in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to architecture.{{London Gazette|issue=61803 |supp=y|page=N2|date=31 December 2016}} In 2018, Adjaye received the Washington University International Humanities Medal.{{Cite web|url=https://humanities.wustl.edu/international-humanities-prize|title=International Humanities Prize|date=2018-06-07|website=Center for the Humanities|access-date=2019-08-26}} In 2019, he was a member of the Prix Versailles World Judges Panel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prix-versailles.com/2019|title=Prix Versailles | 2019 Edition|website=prix-versailles}} In October 2020 Adjaye was announced as the RIBA Royal Gold Medal winner for 2021,{{cite web|url=https://www.dezeen.com/2020/09/30/david-adjaye-2021-riba-royal-gold-medal-architecture-news/|title=David Adjaye wins 2021 RIBA Royal Gold Medal|first=India|last= Block|website=Dezeen |date= 30 September 2020|access-date=20 February 2021}} awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects on behalf of the British monarch, in recognition of an individual's or group's substantial contribution to international architecture.

• RIBA Bronze Medal for Architecture Students - 1990
• Design Futures Council Senior Fellow
• Design Miami/ Designer of the Year Award - 2011[http://miami2011.designmiami.com/designers-of-the-future Designer of the Year Award], Design Miami, 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
• Powerlist: Britain's Most Influential Black Person - 2012Davies, Lizzy (25 October 2012), [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/25/david-adjaye-tops-powerlist-2013 "David Adjaye tops PowerList 2013"], The Guardian.
• Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts{{Cite web|title=Architect David Adjaye Awarded 2016 Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts at MIT|url=https://news.mit.edu/2015/david-adjaye-awarded-eugene-mcdermott-award-arts-mit-0909|access-date=2020-09-14|first=Leah|last= Talatinian|website=MIT News |date=9 September 2015 |publisher= Massachusetts Institute of Technology}} at MIT - 2016
• Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People - 2017{{Cite magazine|title=David Adjaye: The World's 100 Most Influential People|url=https://time.com/collection/2017-time-100/4736258/david-adjaye/|first=Thelma|last= Golden|date=2017|access-date=2020-09-28|magazine=Time}}
• Ghana Legacy Honors Impact in Architecture Award{{Cite web|date=2017-03-21|title=Sam Jonah, Ozwald Boateng, Anna Bossman, David Adjaye, More To Be Honored At Ghana Legacy Honors|author=Zionfelix|url=https://www.zionfelix.net/sam-jonah-ozwald-boateng-anna-bossman-david-adjaye-honored-inaugural-ghana-legacy-honors/|access-date=2020-09-29|website=ZionFelix.net}}
• AJ100{{Cite web|last=Buxton|first=Pamela|date=2018-06-14|title=David Adjaye honoured with AJ100 Contribution to the Profession award|url=http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/david-adjaye-honoured-with-aj100-contribution-to-the-profession-award|access-date=2020-09-28|website=The Architects' Journal}} Contribution to the Profession Award - 2018
• Thomas Jefferson Memorial Award - 2018{{Cite web|title=Adjaye Wins Jefferson Medal |url=https://www.world-architects.com/nl/architecture-news/headlines/adjaye-wins-jefferson-medal|first=John|last= Hill|date=27 February 2018|access-date=2020-09-28|website=World-Architects|language=nl}}
• Louis I. Khan Memorial Award - 2018{{Cite web|date=2018-04-12|title=David Adjaye Honored with 2018 Louis Kahn Memorial Award|url=https://www.archdaily.com/892460/david-adjaye-honored-with-2018-louis-kahn-memorial-award|first=Niall Patrick|last= Walsh|access-date=2020-09-29|website=ArchDaily}}
• Isamu Noguchi Award from the Noguchi Museum.Neira, Juliana (19 February 2020), [https://www.designboom.com/design/2020-isamu-noguchi-award-sir-david-adjaye-cai-guo-qiang-02-19-2020/ "sir david adjaye and cai guo-qiang to be awarded with 2020 isamu noguchi award"], Designboom. - 2020
• RIBA Royal Gold Medal - 2021 {{cite news|url=https://www.archpaper.com/2020/09/david-adjaye-awarded-the-2021-riba-royal-gold-medal/|title=David Adjaye awarded the 2021 RIBA Royal Gold Medal|first=Matt|last= Hickman|website=The Architect's Newspaper|date=30 September 2020|access-date=20 February 2021}}
• Crystal Award - 2021{{Cite web|title=Davos 2021: Meet the winners of the 27th Annual Crystal Award|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/01/cultural-leaders-meet-the-winners-of-the-crystal-award/|date=18 January 2021|first=Hilde|last= Schwab|access-date=2021-01-29|website=World Economic Forum}}
• Charlotte Perriand Award - 2022{{Cite web |first=Ellie|last= Stathaki |date=2022-02-10 |title=Sir David Adjaye scoops inaugural Charlotte Perriand Award |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/charlotte-perriand-award-2022-win-david-adjaye |access-date=2022-10-16 |website=Wallpaper*}}
• TIME100 Impact Award - 2022{{Cite magazine |author= Popli, Nik|title='It's Not Just Enough to Build,' David Adjaye Says as He Accepts TIME100 Impact Award |url=https://time.com/6161494/david-adjaye-time100-impact-award-architecture/ |date=28 March 2022|access-date=18 February 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en}}
• Order of Merit - 2022.

{{Reflist}}

• Alexandra Lange, [http://nymag.com/arts/architecture/features/34729/ "Don't Call David Adjaye a Starchitect"] (interview), New York, 15 July 2007.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071114031319/http://www.iconeye.com/articles/20070912_17 Icon interview (2005)]
• [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/architecture/nwp_adjaye.shtml BBC Radio 3 interview]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071011113051/http://whitechapel.org/content.php?page_id=2195 Whitechapel exhibition (2006)]
• Justin McGuirk, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071114022716/http://www.iconeye.com/articles/20070324_63 Whitechapel exhibition review], Icon 34, April 2006.
• Hugh Pearman, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071024143108/http://www.hughpearman.com/articles5/adjaye.html "David Adjaye meets Alfred Nobel in Oslo: architecture for peace"]. First published in The Sunday Times, London, 24 July 2005 as "Chamber of secrets".
• Tom Dyckhoff, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060426195040/http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0%2C11710%2C889980%2C00.html "Behind The Facade"], The Guardian, 8 February 2003.
• [https://www.designindaba.com/videos/conference-talks/first-ever-ghana-pavilion-venice-art-biennale-designed-david-adjaye David Adjaye] speaking at Design Indaba.

• {{official website|http://www.adjaye.com/}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Adjaye, David}}

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