Kunlé Adeyemi

Kunlé Adeyemi is an architect, designer and urban researcher. He is the founder and principal of NLÉ and 2017 Aga Khan Design Critic in Architecture at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. 

His notable works include "Makoko Floating School", an innovative prototype floating structure located on the lagoon heart of Lagos, Nigeria. This acclaimed project is part of an extensive research project – "African Water Cities" – being developed by NLÉ an architecture, design and urbanism practice founded by Adeyemi in 2010, focusing on developing cities and communities. NLÉ recently launched MFS II – a new, improved iteration of Makoko Floating School at the 15th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, for which it was awarded the Silver Lion Prize. Other projects include Chicoco Radio Media Center – an amphibious community building in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, ROCK – Lakefront Kiosk in Chicago, USA, CDL Head Office in Lagos, Nigeria and Serpentine Summer House at the Royal Kensington Gardens in London.

Before founding NLÉ, Adeyemi worked for OMA, where he led the design, development and execution of high profile projects such as the Shenzhen Stock Exchange tower in China, the Qatar Foundation Headquarters, Qatar National Library, and Prada Transformer in Seoul.

Adeyemi is an international speaker and thought leader serving as jurors for the 2014 AIA award and 2016 RIBA international Prize. He is a multiple award winner and holds an honorary doctorate degree in Architecture from Hasselt University, Belgium.