Architecture is never neutral, it shapes how people live, remember, and aspire. Across the evolving landscape of African cities and global conversations, Tosin Oshinowo has emerged as a defining voice, blending cultural heritage with modern innovation to chart a new course for the continent’s architectural future.
Born and raised in Lagos, Oshinowo’s journey was marked by curiosity and courage. She studied at Kingston University, the Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL), and the Architectural Association in London, honing her craft with global exposure while staying anchored in her Nigerian identity. Returning home, she founded cmDesign Atelier (cmD+A), a practice that has become a platform for expressing contemporary narratives through design. In 2025, she was named a Harvard Loeb Fellow, further affirming her place as a global leader in shaping built environments with vision and purpose.
Her career is marked by projects that blend purpose with beauty. The Maryland Mall, often called the “Big Black Box,” challenged conventional design by creating an accessible and efficient retail hub. Beyond her architectural practice, Oshinowo is also a creative entrepreneur, expanding her influence into product and cultural design. Through Ilé-Ilà (House of Lines), her celebrated furniture line, she reimagines traditional Yoruba aesthetics with modern flair, creating functional art pieces that embody identity, memory, and elegance.
More than aesthetics, Oshinowo is committed to sustainability and innovation. At a time when cities face rapid growth and climate challenges, she insists that architecture must be both responsible and visionary. By embracing contextually sourced materials, energy-conscious techniques, and adaptive design, she creates spaces that honor memory while preparing for the future.
Her influence extends far beyond Nigeria. In 2025, Oshinowo Studio presented a compelling installation titled “Alternative Urbanism: The Self-Organized Markets of Lagos” as part of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice, which earned a Special Mention award from the Biennale jury. The installation reframed Lagos’s informal markets as powerful models of circular, community-led urban systems, further cementing her place in global conversations on urbanism and design.
For aspiring architects, creatives, and dreamers, Tosin Oshinowo’s story is a reminder that success is not about imitation but authenticity. It is about daring to innovate while staying rooted in who you are. Her journey teaches us that architecture, like life, is at its best when it empowers communities, redefines narratives, and inspires futures.
In many ways, Oshinowo is not just designing buildings, she is designing possibilities and proving that bold ideas can become lasting legacies. Her vision shows that the future of architecture will be bold, sustainable, creative, and unapologetically original.
Ultimately, true vision is born when we embrace our roots, dare to innovate, and commit our gifts to building a future bigger than ourselves.
