The architect has received the 2022 Charlotte Perriand Award, the Créateurs Design Awards’ prize for design trailblazers.
By Rachel Gallaher
The Moscow School of Management Skolkovo in Russia, designed by architect David Adjaye. Image by Nikolay Sachkov.
Now in its third year, the Créateurs Design Awards (CDA), an annual peer-to-peer award program that honors excellence in design, architecture, photography, and journalism, has revealed the winner of its inaugural Charlotte Perriand Award. The award honors trailblazers before the end of their career, who, like Perriand, are making a tremendous impact in the shelter industry. (This is the first time the Perriand family has allowed her name to be used beyond her immediate work. The 2022 Charlotte Perriand Award goes to London-based architect David Adjaye, founder of Adjaye Associates. Known for his inventive work and holistic approach—as well as for developing typologies that look to the future of cities—Adjaye has a portfolio that includes residential, commercial, and civic projects, as well as furniture and product design. One of his best-known designs is the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., but he has shaped cities around the world with projects such as the Stephen Lawrence Centre in London, the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo in Moscow, and the Ruby City contemporary art center in San Antonio, Texas.
GRAY reached out to the CDA founders, Yuri and Meredith Xavier, to learn more about the new award and its recipient.
The Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library in South Africa, designed by David Adjaye.
What was behind the decision to add this new award to the program?
We wanted to introduce an award (in addition to the Andrée Putman Lifetime Achievement Award) that focuses on a talent leading innovation and creating their legacy—at whatever stage they are currently at in their career. It is about celebrating extraordinary artistic vision.
How did you decide to honor in the name of Charlotte Perriand? What kind of skills and accomplishments were you looking for in the recipient?
Le Prix Charlotte Perriand was established to celebrate Charlotte Perriand's incredible legacy by highlighting creative professionals like Perriand who are moving the industry forward while sharing her vision and commitment to architecture, design, and art. The Charlotte Perriand Award goes to a person or firm revolutionizing the design world. Someone who dares to take chances in pursuit of provocative ideas.
Architect David Adjaye, recipient of the inaugural Charlotte Perriand Award, part of the Créateurs Design Awards. Image by Ed Reeve.
This is the first time the Perriand family has allowed her name to be used beyond her immediate work. What was it like working with her family?
Pernette Perriand-Barsac and Jacques Barsac have been incredibly supportive and excited about the idea since we first reached out in early 2021. We have had multiple conversations about the significance of the award and how we can keep the spirit of innovation that Charlotte had during her entire career alive through the work and minds of present and future creative leaders.
Can you speak about how/why David Adjaye was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the award?
David Adjaye was chosen by the Créateurs Design Association members. That wasn't a surprise, as Mr. Adjaye's body of work aligns with the CDA's mission quite well. It is fair to say that Sir David Adjaye's creations go far beyond becoming city landmarks—his buildings speak to the community in which they reside. They are telling stories at the largest scales, a dialogue of texture, shapes, and forms connecting with people on an emotional level—regardless of their background or upbringing.
