Misconduct allegations a 'big surprise,' says Adjaye Associates New York CEO

Pascale Sablan, CEO of Adjaye Associates New York, spoke about the impact of sexual misconduct allegations against founder David Adjaye on the studio in an interview describing its recent restructuring.

In an interview published earlier this week in the US publication Architect's Newspaper (AN), Sablan said the allegations published in a Financial Times (FT) investigation last year were a surprise and did not correspond to his own experience.

“I can only speak from my experience”

“I did my due diligence before joining the team, and so when these allegations came out, they were a big surprise to me,” Sablan told AN.

“Not only is this not what has been communicated to me before, but it is also not my lived experience. And I can only speak from my experience, right? I wasn't there.”

The FT investigation revealed allegations of sexual misconduct by Adjaye towards three women in Adjaye Associates' Accra office, allegations which Adjaye denies.

At the time, Adjaye said: “I absolutely reject any allegations of sexual misconduct, abuse or criminal wrongdoing. These allegations are false, distressing for me and my family and go against everything I stand for. »

Since the publication of the FT investigation, Adjaye's studio, which has offices in London, Accra and New York, has been removed from several projects, including new buildings for the Africa Institute in Sharjah and the Library of Multnomah County, Oregon.

Some clients, like the Harlem Studio Museum, asked Adjaye himself to withdraw from the project – but continued to work on the projects under the direction of local companies.

The architect also resigned from his role as a design advocate to the Mayor of London after the allegations.

Adjaye still involved in “all projects”

Sablan clarified the company's restructuring, which includes empowering the CEOs of each office, a move she said was already under consideration and was “accelerated” by the FT article.

She also clarified Adjaye's role going forward, saying he is still involved in the design process of “every project.”

“(The restructuring) also allows David, as design director, to focus 100 percent on design and projects,” Sablan said.

“He continues to lead in this capacity and still participates in every project. That is his central focus, and it gives operational decisions to the CEOs,” she continued, referring to the elevation of her London counterparts and Accra to this position.

Sablan, who is also president of the National Organization of Minority Architects, said that although the victims of the assaults “looked like her,” her personal experience did not match the “industry's understanding” of the events.

“It was a lot to take in and understand the industry's understanding of what was written,” she said.

“But also, how do you compare that to what you know, to your personal experience? It's not that one invalidates the other, but rather it's about understanding the context and doing your due diligence. “

Working relations with Adjaye “had not changed”

Sablan also said his working relationship with Adjaye “has not changed” since the allegations.

“The equation between what is alleged and what is real is something we need to be aware of,” she said.

“I speak from my position as CEO, but our collective strategy is to ensure that our people thrive and enjoy the work they do, experience professional growth and achieve great things.”

“And that’s part of the studio’s key principles and pillars – before and after, and lateral and reverse of any article or allegation.”

The photograph is by Stanley Jordan.