Ghanaian British architect Sir David Adjaye has been accused by three former feminine workers of assault, sexual harassment and selling a poisonous work tradition. Monetary instances on July 4. Two of the ladies labored within the Accra workplace of Adjaye Associates; the opposite labored on the London department. All three are single black moms with important skilled networks, who had been of their 40s on the time of the alleged occasions, and who personally knew 56-year-old Adjaye earlier than becoming a member of his international structure agency.
For the reason that allegations had been printed, the architect of such well-known works because the Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition in Washington, DC; the Abrahamic Household Home in Abu Dhabi, and the forthcoming Studio Museum in Harlem, has resigned a number of appointments, noting that he’s “looking for skilled assist” for “enter[ing] in relationships that, whereas utterly consensual, blurred the traces between my skilled and private life,” stated the Monetary instances half. Nevertheless, he has been reported to have denied any felony wrongdoing, calling the sexual allegations “unfaithful”. [and] harrowing.” Here is what we all know up to now.
The primary assault allegedly passed off in 2018, then once more in 2019
The primary assault reportedly occurred in 2018, after the 2 ladies in Adjaye’s Accra workplace went to dinner with the architect to debate the corporate’s monetary issues and payroll delays, then accompanied him to his firm condominium. In response to the FT Adjaye launched the 2 ladies, touched them inappropriately and informed one in every of them, “You must do that”, earlier than he sexually assaulted her. The following day, he allegedly gave her 4,000 Ghanaian cedis (about $880 on the time). (Adjaye and his lawyer deny each that sexual assault passed off and that the cash withdrawal was made for this objective.)
The FT reporting additionally particulars how in 2019 Adjaye allegedly sexually assaulted the identical lady in a Johannesburg airport toilet after assembly him for a challenge launch. She introduced the incident to the corporate and tried to report it to the police in Ghana, however eight months later she was fired from Adjaye Associates with out warning.
The opposite lady reportedly had a earlier sexual relationship with Adjaye, which had ended earlier than she was employed. 4 months after the incident within the firm condominium, she was fired. Each ladies remained with the corporate after the assaults as a result of they wanted revenue to help their households, who, in accordance with stories, had moved to Accra to affix the corporate. Adjaye’s legal professional informed the FT that the ladies had been fired “due to considerations about their conduct and skills, which had been raised by different workers.”
