Globally, David Adjaye OBE is recognized as one of the most influential architects of his generation. Adjaye was born in Tanzania to Ghanaian parents, and his influences range from contemporary art, music, and science to African art forms and the civic life of cities. In 1994 he set up his first office, where his ingenious use of materials and his sculptural ability established him as an architect with an artist’s sensibility and vision. Based in London and New York, Adjaye's main focus is on architectural projects, which include the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington D.C. His Washington Collection with Knoll in 2013 stands out as one of few ventures into furniture design.