‘I’m interested in the humanity of architecture,’ says David Adjaye. Speaking with the artist Yinka Shonibare on the BBC Radio 4 podcast Only Artists, the acclaimed British-Ghanaian architect talks passionately about the pivotal role of his profession in nation building. His is a belief in using visionary ideas and artistic sensitivity towards conceiving progressive, community-building projects.

Adjaye is one of our most exciting contemporary architects. His skilful use of space, of working with inexpensive and inventive materials, are best symbolised in buildings such as the Stephen Lawrence Centre here in London and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC – a work rooted in the past and present while contextualising history.

When I met Adjaye a couple of years ago, he spoke passionately of the importance of design thinking, especially in today’s more complex creative landscape. I asked him if on a similar vein he sees his role as an architect evolving to be more than creating buildings.

He replied: ‘Design can play a key role in helping people navigate an increasingly complicated world. It shouldn’t just be about making things but understanding the responsibility of the product. Products have implications and it is up to design thinking to tackle that. Democratisation through technology means that we need new tools to understand how to function in this new society. The codes of the twentieth century are no longer relevant, and designers need to be part of this dialogue.’

Take a look at the review of a new book, David Adjaye – Works 1995-2007, which explores the work of the architect here.

nargess@me.com