Acclaimed Architect David Adjaye Steps Back from Roles Amidst Sexual Harassment Accusations
London, England – David Adjaye, the renowned Ghanaian British architect responsible for designing the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., has taken a step back from several of his professional positions after The Financial Times published a report detailing sexual harassment and misconduct allegations made by three former employees.
As a result of these allegations, Mr. Adjaye has made the decision to resign as an architectural adviser to the mayor of London and suspend his work on a British Holocaust memorial. The Financial Times article highlighted that three women, who opted to remain anonymous, had made accusations against Mr. Adjaye and his firm, ranging from sexual assault and sexual harassment to the existence of a toxic work culture that had persisted unaddressed for years.
In response to the allegations, Mr. Adjaye vehemently denied all accusations of sexual misconduct, abuse, and criminal wrongdoing. A statement released by Kendal Advisory, a communications and crisis management firm representing Mr. Adjaye, asserted his rejection of the claims and described them as distressing for both him and his family. Furthermore, the statement emphasized Mr. Adjaye’s commitment to standing against such behaviors.
Acknowledging a personal failing, Mr. Adjaye expressed remorse for relationships that had blurred the boundaries between his professional and personal life, despite being consensual. He expressed his deep regret and announced his intention to immediately seek professional assistance to learn from his mistakes, reflecting his desire to prevent a recurrence of such incidents. The nature of this professional help was not disclosed, as Kendal Advisory regarded it as a private matter.
Mr. Adjaye’s exceptional work on the National Museum of African American History and Culture propelled him to the status of one of the world’s most sought-after architects. He has been commissioned for prestigious projects such as Ghana’s national cathedral, a Nigerian museum showcasing African art, and a multi-faith center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
In light of the allegations, Mr. Adjaye has also decided to step down from ceremonial roles and trusteeships to ensure that the focus remains on addressing the accusations.
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, appointed Mr. Adjaye to a panel of 42 design advocates in 2022. This panel provides guidance to the mayor on how to ensure new buildings and public spaces benefit all residents. However, in response to the allegations, Mr. Adjaye has resigned from this position.
Regarding his involvement with the U.K. Holocaust Memorial and Learning Center in London, a spokesperson for the overseeing British ministry stated that they were aware of the allegations. Mr. Adjaye’s architecture firm has confirmed that he will not be part of the project until the raised issues have been addressed.
The Financial Times report included a woman’s account of alleged sexual assault committed by Mr. Adjaye, stating that one incident occurred in 2019 in a restroom at a Johannesburg airport. The woman claimed that her attempts to raise concerns with Mr. Adjaye’s firm were dismissed. In response, Mr. Adjaye denied all allegations, including the alleged incident in the airport restroom, during his interview with The Financial Times.
Apart from the controversy surrounding these allegations, Mr. Adjaye achieved a significant milestone earlier this year with the opening of his first residential tower in the United States, 130 William, located in Manhattan. He has also been involved in designing the planned new Studio Museum in Harlem, a riverfront master plan for Cleveland, and the reconstruction of Princeton University Art Museum.
In recent years, Mr. Adjaye has been an advocate for underrepresented groups within the architecture field, including women. He has worked towards achieving gender parity and expressed disappointment that such issues persist in the 21st century.
The allegations against David Adjaye are currently under investigation, and further developments are awaited as the matter progresses.