Sir David Adjaye in line for 2021 Royal Gold Medal for Architecture
September 30 2020
The Royal Institute of British Architects has confirmed that Sir David Adjaye will be awarded the 2021 Royal Gold Medal for Architecture, following approval by the Queen.
Awarded to a group or individual demonstrating significant direct or indirect influence on the advancement of architecture the accolade recognises a career dedicated to both practice and teaching in the UK and US.
Founded in 2000 Adjaye Associates has offices in Accra, London and New York and is best known for work to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. Current projects include the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London as well as the National Cathedral of Ghana in Accra and the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library in Johannesburg.
Adjaye remarked: "It’s incredibly humbling and a great honour to have my peers recognise the work I have developed with my team and its contribution to the field over the past 25 years. Architecture, for me, has always been about the creation of beauty to edify all peoples around the world equally and to contribute to the evolution of the craft. The social impact of this discipline has been and will continue to be the guiding force in the experimentation that informs my practice. A heartfelt and sincere moment of gratitude and thanks to all the people who supported the journey to get to this moment.”
The award committee was chaired by RIBA president Alan Jones who said: "At every scale, from private homes to major arts centres, one senses David Adjaye’s careful consideration of the creative and enriching power of architecture. His work is local and specific and at the same time global and inclusive. Blending history, art and science he creates highly crafted and engaging environments that balance contrasting themes and inspire us all.
"I believe his both practising and teaching in schools of architecture has significantly enriched his work. His artistic and social vision has created public projects that perfectly demonstrate the civic potential of architecture – fostering empathy, identity and pride."
Adjaye was knighted in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to architecture following an OBE in 2007.
Portrait by Chris Schwagga
![]() Adjaye is best known for designing the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Image by Alan Karchmer
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11 Comments
Well done to him and his team.
Just sayin....
And #1 and #2, as for his work being generic and boring (chuckle), who else's work does his look like or mimic?
#6 The Idea Store in Whitechapel isn't an office block.
Well done to David Adjaye and his team.
#6 - "office block" - again, startling ignorance of the work you're looking at.
In my opinion, based on reading about his work in 'Houses' and 'Making Public Buildings' more than a decade ago, and in seeing how the work has developed in to larger scale projects, this award is well deserved.
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