Farewell to Zaha Hadid, the grand dame of architecture (1950–2016)
Dame Zaha Hadid, DBE passed away in Miami in the early hours of Thursday, 31 March.
Few architects defined an era like Hadid did. Born in Baghdad in 1950 she began her journey in architecture at the Architectural Association in London in 1972, following a degree in mathematics at the American University of Beirut.
Her work stood out for its innovative approach, mesmerising curves and beauty, that was simultaneously poetic and revolutionary. Her unique way of form-making was like nothing the architecture world had seen before and inspired a whole generation of architects. Her explorations in unexpected, dynamic shapes and innovative technologies transformed our perceptions of what architecture should look like and raised the bar for many who followed.
Her ground-breaking practice kicked off with theoretical works such as The Peak in Hong Kong (1983), a competition that sadly never came to be built; the Kurfürstendamm in Berlin (1986); and the Cardiff Bay Opera House in Wales (1994). Her own practice, Zaha Hadid Architects, was set up soon after graduation, in 1979, following a two-year period at the Office of Metropolitan Architecture (OMA).
Her first built project was the fairly modest (in size, at least) Vitra Fira Station in Weil Am Rhein, Germany, completed in 1993. Once she started building, the world was charmed and commissions kept coming in. The list is long, notable buildings including the MAXXI: Italian National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome (2009); the celebrated London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games (2011); and the more recent Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku (2013).
Her work was as forward-thinking and thought provoking as it is timeless. 'Her work, though full of form, style and unstoppable mannerism, possesses a quality that some of us might refer to as an impeccable "eye" – which we would claim is a fundamental in the consideration of special architecture and is rarely satisfied by mere "fashion",' said Sir Peter Cook on the occasion of her 2016 RIBA Royal Gold Medal win.
Hadid was also widely recognised as one of the greatest female architects practicing internationally. And this is only one of the myriad ways her work stands out – for her distinctions were many. A 2004 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate (the first woman ever to receive the honour), she was also awarded the RIBA Stirling Prize twice, alongside more accolades in the UK and abroad. She was also one of the first ever Wallpaper* guest editors, lending her design charisma to our pages in 2008’s October issue.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
This office interior by Faye Toogood is a communal space that encourages collaboration
The new Hato Studio London offices by Faye Toogood encourage IRL collaboration through a tactile environment
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Toyota bz4X SUV is the marque’s first pure electric vehicle
The Toyota bz4X is our first chance to explore how the long-standing masters of mass automobile production make an EV
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Ash Tree House offers a contextual approach to a north London site
Ash Tree House by Edgley Design is a modern family home in a north London conservation area's backyard site
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
In memoriam: John Miller (1930-2024)
We remember John Miller, an accomplished British architect and educator who advocated a quiet but rigorous modernism
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
In memoriam: architect Antoine Predock (1936-2024)
The late Antoine Predock has left a lasting, international architectural legacy and portfolio, from residential designs to art museums
By Hadani Ditmars Published
-
In memoriam: architect Sir Michael Hopkins (1935 – 2023)
Sir Michael Hopkins died in London on 17 June 2023; here, we celebrate his long, pioneering career in architecture
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
In memoriam: Rafael Viñoly (1944 – 2023)
Rafael Viñoly, architect of 432 Park Avenue and London’s ‘Walkie Talkie’, has died in New York aged 78
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
In memoriam: Arata Isozaki (1931 – 2022)
The legendary Japanese architect Arata Isozaki dies on 29th December 2022; we celebrate his life and work
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Roca celebrates Zaha Hadid Design in London
New exhibition celebrates Roca London Gallery's tenth anniversary and the work of Zaha Hadid Design (ZHD)
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Remembering Ricardo Bofill (1939 – 2022)
Ricardo Bofill, the Spanish architect with a penchant for strong colours and bold forms, passed away in Barcelona on 14 January 2022. We look back at his life and work
By Jonathan Bell Last updated
-
Remembering Richard Rogers (1933 – 2021)
We celebrate the life and career of Richard Rogers, one of the most influential architects of our era and winner of the 2007 Pritzker Prize, who passed away on 18 December 2021 at age 88
By Jonathan Bell Last updated