Sir David Adjaye 'By Design' in partnership with Sir John Soane's Museum

The leading architect of his generation Sir David Adjaye joined the 'By Design' talk series created by Luke Irwin in partnership with Sir John Soane's Museum.  Sir David discussed cultural identity, memory and narrative in design all in the context of the evolution of his career.

Sir David Adjaye OBE is the principal and founder of Adjaye Associates. Born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents, his broadly ranging influences, ingenious use of materials and sculptural ability have established him as an architect with an artist’s sensibility and vision. His largest project to date, the $540 million Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture, opened on the National Mall in Washington DC in fall of 2016 and was named Cultural Event of the Year by the New York Times. In 2017, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people of the year by TIME magazine.

Sir David discussed the Boaman umbrella an object that has informed his practice.

Image by Sam Churchill

Image Courtesy of Adjaye Associates

The Boaman umbrella has great cultural significance and has inspired some of Sir David's architectural creations.

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The key themes examined in the conversation prompted by the Boaman umbrella included cultural identity, memory and narrative in design all in the context of the evolution of his career.