Kunle Adeyemi: Redefining Architecture for Humanity – Chief Original Gangstar 

In this Issue of Chief Original Gangstar, our COG is Kunle Adeyemi, the Founder and Principal of NLÉ, a design and development practice for innovative cities and communities. In this issue, we will be dropping insights into reasons why his name is synonymous with groundbreaking design and urban solutions, how he has carved a path that intertwines creativity with societal and environmental consciousness, his transformative projects, and his commitment to bridging the gap between humanity and the built environment.

Kunle Adeyemi is not your average architect. He’s a visionary, a creator, and a problem solver. His designs don’t just look good; they tackle some of the toughest challenges facing our world today. As the founder and principal of NLÉ, Adeyemi has made it his mission to innovate cities and communities, one project at a time.

Take, for instance, the Makoko Floating School. Adeyemi did not design this project as a school but as a groundbreaking solution to the flooding problem in Lagos, Nigeria. Once located in the heart of the city’s lagoon, this floating structure has since evolved into the Makoko Floating System (MFS), now deployed in five countries across three continents. This project is a simple, prefabricated building solution that offers hope to marginalised communities facing the threat of rising waters.

Despite the success of this project and its profound impact on many residents in the State, Adeyemi’s work extends far beyond floating schools. His projects push the boundaries of what architecture can achieve, scattered across continents, spanning from New York to London to Tanzania. From the Black Rhino Academy built in Karatu, Tanzania, in 2018, to the Serpentine Summer House in London, each design is solid proof that Adeyemi is fully committed to innovation and sustainability.

Before founding NLÉ, Adeyemi trained and built his skills at the Office for Metropolitan Agriculture (OMA), where he worked alongside renowned architect Rem Koolhaas. Together, they tackled projects like the Shenzhen Stock Exchange tower and the Qatar National Library, leaving a lasting impact on the global architectural landscape.

Adeyemi is also a teacher, a mentor, and a thought leader. As an adjunct visiting professor at the University of Lagos and a lecturer at Princeton University, he shares his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of architects, ensuring the continuity of architectural advancements. 

Through his academic research and design programs, Adeyemi explores the intersection of architecture, society, and the environment, seeking to create spaces that not only enhance the quality of life but also promote harmony between humanity and the natural world. His vision for Africa, developing regions, and complex urban environments is one of inclusivity and sustainability, where every design decision serves the greater good.

In everything he does, Adeyemi’s goal is clear: to bridge critical gaps in infrastructure and urban development, creating a better, more sustainable future for us all. And with each new project, he brings us one step closer to that reality.