Lesley Lokko, a prominent figure in the Renaissance era, honored with architecture's prestigious Royal Gold Medal

Lesley Lokko, a Ghanaian-Scottish architect, has become the first African woman to receive the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture. The prestigious award, granted by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and approved by the monarch annually, recognizes Lokko's efforts to make the industry more inclusive. Additionally, she was recently appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the New Year Honours list by King Charles, who takes a keen interest in architecture. RIBA praised Lokko for her work focusing on Africa and the Global South. Over the past two decades, she has been a strong advocate for increasing diversity and representation in architecture, particularly for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. Upon learning of the Royal Gold Medal, Lokko described it as an unexpected and validating experience, expressing her desire to share the news with her late father. Speaking after receiving her OBE, Lokko emphasized the importance of being part of institutions to drive change and undo the historical legacy of subjugation. Last year, she made history as the first woman of African descent to curate the architecture event at the Venice Biennale, where she focused on decarbonization and decolonization. In 2021, Lokko founded the African Futures Institute in Accra, Ghana, dedicated to exploring the complex relationship between architecture, identity, and race. RIBA referred to Lokko as a "renaissance figure," and its president praised her as a "visionary agent of change." The official presentation of the medal will take place in London in May. Previous recipients of the Royal Gold Medal include renowned architects such as Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Frank Gehry, Frank Lloyd Wright, and George Gilbert Scott. Yasmeen Lari, Pakistan's first female architect, received the honor in the previous year.