Britain’s David Adjaye has been named as part of the competition-winning team selected to design the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC.

Working with both Davis Brody Bond, which designed the National September 11 Museum at the World Trade Center, and the Freelon Group, the firm behind San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora, Adjaye’s team beat off competition from Norman Foster, Antoine Predock, Moshe Safdie and IM Pei among others to the £350 million contract, which was announced yesterday by the Smithsonian.

The museum will be located on a slender 2ha site on the National Mall near the Washington Monument.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with this talented team,” said jury chairman and museum director Lonnie Bunch. “Their vision and spirit of collaboration moved all members of the design competition jury. I am confident that they will give us a building that will be an important addition to the National Mall and to the architecture of this city.”

Within the selected team, Davis Brody Bond has been given the primary role of ensuring the design adheres to the museum’s program and vision while the Freelon Group will ensure that the design reflects the values of the museum and the Smithsonian itself .

Adjaye Associates meanwhile, will focus on the "formal development and refinement of the building design", according to museum bosses.

This project represents a poignant legacy for Davis Brody Bond’s Max Bond, who died on February 18, 2009 in the middle of the design competition phase.

His partner Steven Davis said: "The joy of this moment comes with mixed emotions. Max Bond who was my partner for over 20 years worked tirelessly in conceiving the programming and design of our submission. We miss him especially on this incredible day."