He then moved on to larger scale[12] projects such as the Idea Store in Whitechapel, UK, and the Nobel Peace Center[13] in Oslo, Norway, in 2005.

The studio's first solo exhibition, David Adjaye: Making Public Buildings, was shown at the Whitechapel Gallery in London in January 2006, with Thames and Hudson publishing the catalogue of the same name.

Hidden skylights fill the interior spaces with natural light, and large windows look out on the city streets.

[20] On 15 April 2009, Adjaye was selected lead architect[21] for the team of architects, which includes the Freelon Group, Davis Brody Bond and SmithGroup, to design the new $540 million National Museum of African American History and Culture, a Smithsonian Institution museum, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.[22][23] His design features a crown motif from Yoruba sculpture.

The artwork is located at The Griot Museum of Black History in St. Louis, Missouri, and was commissioned by curator Allison Glenn for the 2023 Counterpublic triennial.

He worked with Ofili to create an environment for The Upper Room, which was later acquired by Tate Britain and caused a nationwide media debate.

Adjaye collaborated with artist Olafur Eliasson to create a light installation, Your black horizon, at the 2005 Venice Biennale.

Making Place: The Architecture of David Adjaye was on display at the Art Institute of Chicago from September 2015 to January 2016.

[51][52] In March 2018, Adjaye Associates' designs for the National Cathedral of Ghana were unveiled by Ghanaian president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

[54] That same year, he also unveiled his designs for the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library[55] as well as The Martyrs Memorial[56] in Niamey, Niger.

In November 2020, Adjaye revealed his vision for the Museum of West African Art which will be built in Benin City, Nigeria.

[citation needed] In 2021, Adjaye revealed his design for the District Hospitals project across Ghana, Accra and The Africa Institute in Sharjah, UAE.

[59] In October 2022, Grinnell College Board of Trustees approved construction of the new Civic Engagement Quad Core Project designed by Adjaye, slated to open in fall 2024.

[60] His other recent works include interiors for the SEIU 1199 Healthcare Workers' East in New York City,[61] The Webster in Los Angeles, California (2020),[62] Mole House in London, UK (2019),[63][64] Ruby City in San Antonio, Texas (2019),[65][66] McCarter Switching Station in Newark, New Jersey (2018),[67] Sugar Hill Mixed-Use Development in Harlem, New York (2015),[68] Alara Concept Store in Lagos, Nigeria (2015),[69] Aïshti Foundation in Beirut, Lebanon (2015).

[76] The firm now operates globally with offices in Accra, London, and New York and has completed projects in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

[77] In March 2024, the practice announced the appointment of three new CEOs to lead Adjaye Associates' three global studios – described as a 'fundamental change'.

[78] The three CEOs, Lucy Tilley, Pascale Sablan and Kofi Bio, lead each of the Adjaye Associates' three global studios in London, New York, and Accra.

Adjaye was named the executive chair of the group and remains as principal architect of the firm leading design direction.

[84][85] He subsequently resigned from his role as architectural adviser to the Mayor of London, removed himself from involvement in the Holocaust memorial in Britain although Adjaye Associates continue as lead architect,[86][87] the Africa Institute in Sharjah cancelled a major new campus project,[88] and his practice was dropped from a £57 million project at Liverpool's International Slavery Museum.

[89] Following the allegations and clients withdrawing projects from Adjaye's practice, the business was reported to have begun a redundancy programme.