David Adjaye: Africa Institute joins list of institutions to cut ties with architect

The Africa Institute has decided to cut ties with architect Sir David Adjaye following accusations of sexual assault and harassment levelled against him. 

The institute had enlisted Sir Adjaye to design a massive monolithic campus in downtown Sharjah, UAE, encompassing Africa Hall and consisting of five high-rise blocks constructed from red-hued concrete, spanning an area of 31,882 square meters.

However, in the wake of recent allegations made by three women against Sir Adjaye in the Financial Times, The Africa Institute, an organization devoted to the study, research, and documentation of Africa, has made the decision to cancel the project altogether.

In a statement shared with Dezeen, Hoor Al Qasimi, President of The Africa Institute, expressed deep concern over the allegations and confirmed the termination of the building project with Adjaye Associates. Al Qasimi emphasized that despite this development, the institute's ongoing research and educational endeavours at its current facilities will remain unaffected.

The cancellation of the Africa Institute project marks the latest in a series of professional setbacks for Sir Adjaye since the misconduct allegations were initially reported by The Financial Times. 

Sir Adjaye has stepped down from his role as a design advocate for the mayor of London and resigned as a trustee of London's Serpentine Galleries. Additionally, he will not be involved in the UK Holocaust Memorial project until the raised concerns are addressed, as stated by a spokesperson from the British ministry overseeing the memorial, according to The New York Times.

Sir Adjaye's association with the Studio Museum in Harlem has also been terminated, resulting in his exclusion from the design of the museum's new facility. 

Furthermore, he has formally disassociated himself from the African Futures Institute, and his involvement in the construction of a building for Oregon's Multnomah County Library has been cancelled.