RIBA
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 .
David ’ s contribution to architecture and design globally is already astounding , and I am excited that we have so much more of it to look forward to .”
Sir David Adjaye was knighted in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to architecture , following an OBE in 2007 . As a student , he won the 1993 RIBA Bronze Medal for the best design project worldwide ; in 2006 his Idea Store Whitechapel was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year . He has won RIBA International Awards for the Museum of Contemporary Art , Denver ( 2008 ) and the Francis Gregory Library and William . O Lockridge / Bellevue Library in Washington DC ( both 2013 ). The 2021 Royal Gold Medal selection committee , chaired by RIBA President Alan Jones , comprised : architects Lesley Lokko , Dorte Mandrup and last year ’ s Royal Gold Medal recipient Shelley McNamara and structural engineer Professor Hanif Kara .
Adjaye has combined practice and teaching in schools of architecture around the world and championed civic representation through public discourse . He is dedicated to communicating and creating architecture that is both personal and inspired by culture and the stories of people ’ s lives , realising places that offer new layers of empathy , experience and engagement .
His work reveals a core belief in the generative power of architecture . In a world that has become polarised he brings politics , art and science together with architecture , as he works to create a better future . The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC united his many architectural and cultural agendas and expressed the role architecture can play in pluralism . Adjaye is a singular and timely talent and a strong reminder of the insightful and integrative role of the architect .
For more information on the Royal Gold Medal , which was first awarded in 1848 , go to : www . architecture . com / awards-andcompetitions-landing-page / awards / royal-gold-medal
CITATION ON SIR DAVID ADJAYE BY THE 2021 RIBA HONOURS COMMITTEE :
Through his work as an architect Sir David Adjaye speaks confidently across cultures , disciplines , politics and continents . His body of work is global and local , finely attuned as it reflects and responds to context and community , climate and culture .
The lessons Adjaye learned through his initial series of conceptual and sensuous dwellings set boldly against and within the shifting landscape of central London have been disassembled and reconfigured as he has realised wider , civic public and social spaces of cities across the world . Listening to clients and users and often working with artists , Adjaye ’ s work is contradictory and yet coherent , contrasting and courageous , setting up and balancing elegance and grit , weightlessness and weight , dark and light .
Bernie Grant Art Centre , London Photo : Assen Emilov David Adjaye Photo : Chris Schwagga
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