David Adjaye on the Smithsonian NMAAHC and His Vision for African Architecture

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C., designed by David Adjaye, opened on September 24, 2016. Adjaye, a British architect born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents, describes himself as a 'global architect.' The NMAAHC is the first U.S. museum dedicated to African American history and culture. Adjaye discusses the immense responsibility of the project, which he sees as more than a building—it is a monument to a century of struggle. The design, inspired by Yoruba art from West Africa, symbolizes the African diaspora's impact on America. Adjaye's research on 53 African capitals (1999–2010) deeply influenced his contextual approach to architecture. He emphasizes rigorous geographic analysis before design, using a team of sociologists and economists. His studio has offices in Europe, America, and Africa, with projects on four continents. Adjaye also discusses his Sugar Hill social housing in Harlem, which includes a museum, daycare, urban farm, and offices. He highlights the transformative power of architecture to uplift communities. The interview also touches on his collaboration with his brother Peter Adjaye, a composer, whose soundscapes accompany some of David's buildings, including the Asymmetric Chamber (2003) and Nobel Field in Oslo (2005).