He is the founder of Adjaye Associates, an international architecture and design firm with offices in London, New York, and Accra.

Adjaye gained global recognition for designing the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., which opened in 2016. His work spans museums, civic buildings, libraries, private residences, and masterplans, often incorporating historical and contemporary African influences.

His notable projects include:

• National Museum of African American History and Culture (Washington, D.C.)
• UK Holocaust Memorial (London, ongoing)
• Studio Museum in Harlem (New York, ongoing)
• Gwangju River Reading Room (South Korea)
• Aïshti Foundation (Lebanon)

In 2017, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to architecture and awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2021.