It's no wonder that Ghana-born, London-based architect
David Adjaye routinely tops lists of favorite living architects and is one of the most sought after contemporary practitioners. His sensibility is subtle, expressing geometry and materials in a sculptural approach that's sensitive to context. His diverse portfolio includes public projects, cultural institutions (his firm,
Adjaye Associates, was tapped to design the forthcoming National Museum of African American History and Culture), master plans, and residences (his
Sunken House appeared in a 2008 issue of Dwell). Adjaye's latest project is a collection of furniture for Knoll. We sent a few questions his way to learn more. Read the interview in the slideshow that follows and catch an exhibition of the new furniture line along with Adjaye's architectural projects at Knoll's New York showroom at 1330 Avenue of the Americas October 2 through 31, Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Slideshow
Dwell: Your collection's release coincides with Knoll's 75th anniversary. What was it like to collaborate with a company that has such a long—and revered—history?
Adjaye: It has been a huge learning curve. It was like a testing ground for ideas that interest me and an opportunity to engage in a production process with Knoll’s technical team. While I have previously designed objects—I have never worked on production furniture. It is very different. Furniture can be everywhere and used by everyone, unthinkingly in their daily lives—it is a background. There is something very powerful and very rewarding about that.
