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24 May 2021
Sarah Maafi
David Adjaye’s Royal Gold Medal presentation provides added impetus for us to reassess our view of African architecture, to learn from it and apply its lessons to design in the West
National Cathedral of Ghana. Credit: Adjaye Associates.
With the Royal Gold Medal ceremony taking place tomorrow, what immediately jumps out from the RIBAJ interview with David Adjaye marking this occasion is his reference to the Egyptian architect Hassan Fathy as one of his inspirations. As Adjaye’s honour sparks renewed interest in contemporary African architecture – he also works there – it is time to re-evaluate our relationship with it. African architecture is not just about vernacular tradition or Afro-Futurism; it is and should be part of our present practice: right here, right now.