Zaha Hadid

Date of Birth: October 31, 1950

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: March 31, 2016

Biography

Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi-British architect known for her groundbreaking and innovative designs that have left a lasting impact on the world of architecture. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Hadid studied mathematics at the American University of Beirut before moving to London in 1972 to attend the Architectural Association School of Architecture. She founded her own London-based firm, Zaha Hadid Architects, in 1980. Hadid’s architectural style is characterized by fluid, dynamic forms that often defy conventional design principles. Her work includes iconic buildings such as the Guangzhou Opera House in China, the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics, and the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan. Over her career, she received numerous awards and honors, including becoming the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004. Zaha Hadid passed away on March 31, 2016, but her legacy continues to influence architects and designers globally.

5 Interesting Facts about Zaha Hadid

1. Zaha Hadid was the first woman to win the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004.

2. She was awarded the Royal Gold Medal by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2015, becoming the first woman to receive the honor in her own right.

3. Hadid was known for her bold and futuristic designs, often incorporating curvilinear forms and innovative materials.

4. Her design for the Vitra Fire Station in Germany in 1993 marked her first major built project and established her reputation as a leading architect.

5. Zaha Hadid was also a professor at various universities, including Harvard, Yale, and the University of Applied Arts Vienna.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Zaha Hadid

1. “There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?”

2. “As a woman, I’m expected to want everything to be nice and to be nice myself. I don’t design nice buildings. I don’t like them. I like architecture to have some raw, vital, earthy quality.”

3. “You really have to have a goal. The goal posts might shift, but you should have a goal.”

4. “Architecture is really about well-being. I think that people want to feel good in a space.”

5. “If you want an easy life, don’t be an architect.”