David Adjaye received the RIBA Royal Gold Medal last night in a virtual ceremony featuring video messages from luminaries including Bono and Barack Obama, who said the architect creates spaces "unlike any the world has ever seen".
The event also featured video messages from Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo, former South Africa president Thabo Mbeki and Paul Kagame, president of the Republic of Rwanda.
"It's not often you get to hear from four presidents and a rock star from amongst so many others at the same event," said Alan Vallance, the RIBA CEO and president who hosted the event.
Adjaye has a "different perspective", Obama says
A number of global celebrities delivered messages describing their relationship with the British-Ghanian architect. Former US president Barack Obama was one of the first speakers, describing the architect's work as "genius."
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Growing up in many different places ? as both he and Adjaye did ? gives you "a perspective that others may not have," said Obama, who inaugurated the Adjaye-designed Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in 2016.
"Over the years, David has used that perspective to create spaces unlike any the world has ever seen," he added.
"I'll never forget watching the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture rise near the White House, that bold ...