TrendyBuzzer: Architect David Adjaye

Tanzanian born and UK based David Adjaye, whose parents are of Ghanaian descent, was the star of this year’s Design Miami 2011. He was deservedly bestowed the Designer of the Year 2011 title after an immaculately conceived showing.

Adjaye admits that a lot of his work is influenced mostly by his African background and he cites the fact that having the privilege of living in some of the most exotic locales in the world including Egypt, Lebanon and Yemen, helped shape him into the well-rounded artist he is today. Born to a diplomat father, he received a first-class education, earning a BA at London South Bank University and eventually getting his MA from the prestigious Royal College of Art.

Adjaye’s career has been a very prolific one so far, drenched with an incredible array of achievements. In 2009, He was given the high-priced assignment to design the $500 million National Museum of African American History and Culture, which when it debuts sometime in 2015, will be part of the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. He has also put his signature on the Noble Peace Centre in Oslo, Norway and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver.

Adjaye has also been commissioned by the likes of actor Ewan McGregor, photographer Juergen Teller and even the late designer Alexander McQueen to design their private residences and retreats.

Now he is basking in the glory of his newest creation, titled Genesis, an imposing mesh of timber, strategically aligned to produce a setting for dwellers and revelers looking for a little bit of respite amid all the chaotic energy.

The towering piece was placed at the entrance of the fair and needless say judging by the number of people that flowed in and out of it, its purpose was well served.