Lesley Lokko (born 1964) is a Kenyan‑Scottish architect, academic, and novelist. She is noted for her contributions to architectural education in Africa and for her literary works that explore contemporary African experiences.
Early life and education
Lokko was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and raised in Kenya. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Cambridge and subsequently completed a Master of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Architectural practice and academia
After practicing architecture in the United Kingdom and the United States, Lokko transitioned to academia. She has held teaching and leadership positions at several institutions, including the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the University of Nottingham, and the University of the Arts London. In 2020, she founded the African Futures Institute (AFI) in Accra, Ghana, a postgraduate school dedicated to the study and development of African architecture and urbanism.
Literary career
Lokko is the author of two novels that have received international attention:
- The Dragon's Mouth (2013) – a narrative set in Nairobi that examines themes of identity, migration, and urban change.
- The Sex Lives of African Women (2015) – a collection of interlinked stories that explores the personal and societal dimensions of contemporary African womanhood.
Recognition
Lokko’s work has been featured in major architectural and cultural publications, and she has been invited to speak at conferences worldwide on topics ranging from architectural pedagogy to the role of narrative in design.
Selected publications
- Lokko, Lesley. The Dragon's Mouth. Penguin Books, 2013.
- Lokko, Lesley. The Sex Lives of African Women. Penguin Books, 2015.
References
- University of Nottingham, School of Architecture, faculty profile (accessed 2024).
- African Futures Institute official website (accessed 2024).
- Penguin Random House author page for Lesley Lokko (accessed 2024).