david adjaye talks about his work in rwanda, stay with us. >>it's crazy money that you can make here. it's a ticking time bomb. >>do you know what chemicals have been in that tank? >> my big brother didn't wake up the next day. al jazeera america's... >> today they will be arrested. >>they're firing canisters of gas at us. >> we have to get out of here. >> i'm lisa fletcher and this is talk to al jazeera. my guest this week is the architect designing the national museum of african american history and culture, david adjaye. >> most architects spend years, and years pursuing a degree. you have one year of formal architectural training. what do you think... >> you did your research. busted! >> well, it's very interesting, though. what gave you the courage to just carve your own path like that? >> when i started, i was extremely scared about the whole thing. but i was also incredibly inspired by this thing. when i did my research into how architecture was being taught at that time, and what the big voices were, i found that i just disagreed. and

i'm speaking this week with a leading architect of his generation david adjaye. what's it like for a building to come to life? like, what is that process for you? >> it starts with an abstract thought. it's almost silent. it's not in color, as it were. it's a series of shapes, and forms, and feelings. it's about, you know, dividing between darkness and light. about materiality, and space. so, it's actually a very abstract conceptual forming. >> is it a notepad on the side of the bed? is it a moment brushing your teeth? >> no. it's never brushing my teeth. that's when i try to empty things out of my mouth - it is very much a notepad by the side of my bed. i'm a morning person. i think when my brain is finally kind of compressed information, in the morning i have bursts of creative sort of impulses, and thoughts, so. >> you've got some 24 projects going on around the globe. you're a busy guy. but i want to talk about your office. because i hear it's a mess. what's the deal? >> i don't believe the myth that an architect's tables should be clean, and blank. >> well,

and you can watch us live by clicking on the watch now icon, al jazeera.com. renowned architect david adjayeigning the smithsonian's national museum of african american history and culture on the mall in washington, d.c. >> i think that what the world will see is that the african american story is not a footnote, but probably the lens to really understand america, to this day. >> from a cancer treatment center in rwanda to an affordable housing project in new york, plus dozens of projects in development around the world, adjaye says he is