Renowned Ghanaian-British architect David Adjayi, who designed the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., stepped down from a number of positions on Tuesday. The Financial Times reported Three former employees announced they had accused him of sexual harassment and misconduct.
Adjay has resigned as architectural adviser to the mayor of London and his efforts holocaust memorial in england The Financial Times reports that three anonymous women have accused him and his company of “various forms of exploitation that have been neglected for years, from alleged sexual assault and harassment to a toxic work culture.” I did,” and was suspended. “
Ajayi denied the accusations in a statement Tuesday. In a statement released by telecommunications and crisis management firm Kendall Advisory, he said he “absolutely rejects any allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse or criminal conduct.” “These allegations are false, painful to me and my family, and go against everything I stand for.”
“I am embarrassed that I have entered into a relationship that blurs the line between my professional life and my personal life,” he added. “I deeply regret it,” he said, adding, “I will immediately seek professional help to learn from these mistakes and make sure they don’t happen again.”
A spokeswoman for Kendall Advisory declined to explain what the professional assistance entailed, saying it was a personal matter.
Adjaye has made him one of the world’s most sought-after architects with his design of the acclaimed National Museum of African American History and Culture on Washington’s National Mall. His requests include: national cathedral of ghanaa Nigerian museum exhibiting African art;and Multi-religious center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Ajayi said in a statement that he would also step down from his ceremonial role and trusteeship so that the allegations would “not be a distraction.”
In 2022, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: Ajay appointed to committee of 42 design advocates According to a news release, they are advising the mayor on how “new buildings and public spaces will benefit all Londoners”. He resigned from the committee.
“Sir David Adjaye has resigned from his role as a design advocate,” a spokesman for the mayor said in an email.
A spokesman for the British ministry, which oversees the British Holocaust Memorial Learning Center in London, said in an email that the government was “aware of the allegations” and had spoken with Ajayi’s building firm. “Sir David has confirmed that he will not be involved in any projects of the British Holocaust Memorial Foundation until the issues raised have been resolved,” a spokesperson said.
The Financial Times reported that one of the women claimed that Ajayi sexually assaulted her in a Johannesburg airport toilet in 2019. The woman tried to complain to Ajayi’s company, but she said her concerns were dismissed, the newspaper said. Ajayi told the newspaper he had denied all allegations, including an allegation of assault in a bathroom.
In June, Ajayi opened America’s first residential tower. 130 William, Manhattan. he also Designed new studio museum planned for Harlem, Cleveland’s Riverfront Master Plan and are engaged Rebuild the Princeton University Art Museum.
In addition to winning high profile commissions, Ajayi has also been a prominent advocate for the rights of underrepresented groups among architects, including women, over the past decade. in 2017 Interview with Dezaneonline design magazine, he said he was “disgusted that women are still fighting for gender equality.”
“We are in the 21st century,” he added. “This is such an old story and we should be so far beyond it. As men it’s embarrassing.”
