In order not to recount in detail the entire biography of this Briton of Tanzanian origin, with which you are probably very familiar, we will present some notable facts from the life of David Ajayi and a series of quotes that reveal his worldview as an architect.
National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington. Photo: Getty Images
After graduating from the Royal College of Art, Adjaye did not work for a venerable old architect, as most young professionals did, and immediately organized his own office in 1994 with his friend and colleague William Russell, and in 2000, Adjaye Associates appeared.
At first, he was interrupted by small orders - he helped friends: he did kitchens and other small interior works for them. Then he began to commission private houses, until in 2004 he built the Idea Store, a public library in the London district of Whitechapel, conceived not just as a collection of books, but as a cultural and educational center for the local community. Starting with it, "objects of social purpose" became Ajaiye's main specialization.
Aishti Foundation, Beirut. Photo: Guillaume Dziccarelli / Adjaye Associates
"In commercial projects, architecture is a money-making tool. Success is determined by how quickly the owner of the building distributed offices for rent. I'm not interested in this. I want to work for society. For the first ten years, I did it intuitively, and then I formulated my concept.” — David Ajayi.
Dirty House, London, 2002. Photo: Ed Reeve / Adjaye Associates
Two of Ajayi's most famous examples of private residences are the Elektra House and Dirty House in London, which he designed in 2000 and 2002 respectively. Dark in appearance and immaculate in a modernist way, they provided the perfect environment for the artists who lived in them.
Moscow School of Management "Skolkovo", Moscow, 2010. Photo: Ed Reeve / Adjaye Associates
"The world is becoming increasingly complex, so we need to communicate more. Sitting each in his own hole, we will never be able to understand each other, he says. — By the way, not so much is needed for communication: a room where more than two people can gather, and the right light. And that's all! Boom — and people start getting to know each other, talking about children, flirting... It's amazing!"
For reference: David Ajayi was born on September 22, 1966 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Due to the fact that his father was a diplomat, in his youth he managed to live in several countries in Africa and the Middle East, until the family finally settled in London. He studied at Southbank University in London, and then at the Royal College of Art. Known primarily as the author of non-commercial public facilities.
