Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) was one of the most influential architects of her time, globally recognised for pushing the boundaries of architecture and related arts. Born in Baghdad, she studied Mathematics at the American University of Beirut before enrolling at the Architectural Association in London, where she was awarded the prestigious Diploma Prize in 1977. In 1979 Hadid established her architectural office, winning the coveted competition for The Peak leisure club in Hong Kong in 1983. Her first building, the Vitra Fire Station in Weil am Rhein, Germany, was completed in 1993.

Incorporated in 1999, Zaha Hadid Architects went on to complete major projects worldwide, such as Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati (1997-2003), Phaeno Science Centre, Wolfsburg (1999-2005), MAXXI Museum, Rome (1998-2009), London Aquatics Centre (2005-2011/14), Heydar Aliyev Centre, Baku (2007-2012), and Galaxy Soho, Beijing(2008-2012).

Hadid taught throughout her career, including at the Architectural Association, Columbia, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. She was the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize in 2004, and the first in her own right to receive the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Royal Gold Medal for her lifetime’s work in 2015. She received the Stirling Prize in both 2010 and 2011, was appointed CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2002 and made a Dame in 2012 for her services to architecture.