Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye, Principal Architect of Adjaye Associates, receives the Knight Bachelor award as part of the Queen's biannual honours programme after 'his contributions to architecture and design across the United Kingdom'.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) announced 76 awards for Britons in recognition of exceptional service to Britain overseas. The Diplomatic Service and Overseas New Year 2017 Honours List recognises extraordinary people in a range of fields overseas including voluntary and charitable work, education, health, assistance to British nationals overseas, the arts and conservation.

David Adjaye, 50, will become Sir David Adjaye after receiving a knighthood for services to architecture. For the prestigious knighthood, Adjaye said, ''I am truly honoured and humbled to receive a knighthood by Her Majesty the Queen for my contribution to architecture. I see this not as a personal celebration, but as a celebration of the vast potential - and responsibility - for architecture to effect positive social change, that we as architects have to bring something positive to the world. I am proud to continue to work in service of this mission as a global cultural ambassador for the UK.''

In an official statement The Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood at St. James’s Palace said: ''David Adjaye is recognised for his contribution to architecture and design. He is one of the leading architects of his generation and a global cultural ambassador for the UK. His designs include the Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo in the shell of a disused railway station and the Whitechapel Idea Store in London where he also pioneered a new approach to the provision of information services as well as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver and numerous private commissions. His most recent major achievement was the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC.''

Awards go to Professor Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, who receives a DCMG for her services to UK polar science and diplomacy. Anna Wintour Obe, Editor-in-chief, American Vogue, receives a DBE for her services to fashion and journalism. 

The Architect, David Adjaye Obe and Dr Jeffrey Tate CBE, Chief Conductor of the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, each receive a Knight Bachelor.

David Adjaye is also a strong candidate for the 2017 Pritzker Architecture Prize -see our short index about this year's potential candidates for the 2017 Pritzker Architecture Prize and cast your votes in our poll.

Top image: David Adjaye, courtesy of Hutchins Center

> via Adjaye Associates