Ghanaian-Scottish, Lesley Lokko has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the inaugural African woman to be bestowed with the prestigious Royal Gold Medal for Architecture.
This esteemed accolade is conferred by the Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) and receives approval from the monarch each year.
Notably, Lokko, of Ghanaian-Scottish descent, was also recently honored with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours list by King Charles, who exhibits a keen interest in architecture.
The recognition from Riba specifically lauds Lesley Lokko’s tireless efforts to “democratize” the architecture industry, particularly her impactful work focusing on Africa and the so-called Global South.
At the age of 60, Lokko has garnered acclaim for her role as an architecture educator and academic, contributing significantly to universities and institutions worldwide. Her influence extends beyond designing grand structures to championing inclusivity within the profession.
For over two decades, Lokko has been a staunch advocate for bringing individuals from diverse backgrounds, especially people of color, into the realm of architecture. Her commitment to reshaping the narrative and fostering representation has been a defining aspect of her career. Her dedication to inclusivity was further underscored by her recent OBE recognition, a moment she described as “a slightly out of body experience.”
She acknowledged the bittersweet aspect of the honor, expressing that the first person she wanted to share the news with, her late father, was no longer present. Nevertheless, it was a profound moment of validation for her remarkable contributions.
Lokko received her OBE from the Princess Royal at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, where the King issued a letter confirming her nomination for the Royal Gold Medal and inviting her to Buckingham Palace.
Despite grappling with challenging conversations surrounding race and decolonization, Lokko remains comfortable engaging with royalty, emphasizing the importance of being inside institutions to effect change.
Reflecting on her historic achievement, Lokko shared her perspective on the evolving landscape of diversity in architecture. She noted that being represented in these prestigious moments is essential for undoing historical legacies of subjugation.
Her journey, marked by personal and professional milestones, includes becoming the first woman of African descent to curate the Venice Biennale’s architecture event in 2021, where she explored themes of decarbonization and decolonization.
In 2021, Lesley Lokko founded the African Futures Institute in Accra, Ghana, an educational initiative aimed at delving deeper into the intricate relationship between architecture, identity, and race. As she received the Royal Gold Medal, Riba described Lokko as a “renaissance figure,” and its president praised her as “a visionary agent of change.”
Lokko’s progressive approach to architecture education has been recognized as offering hope for the future, envisioning a profession that welcomes individuals from all walks of life, considers environmental needs, and embraces a broad range of cultures and perspectives. The Royal Gold Medal, first instituted in 1848, will be formally presented to Lesley Lokko in London in May, solidifying her legacy as a trailblazer and influential force in the advancement of architecture.