Zaha Hadid is a famous Iraqi-born British architect. Born on October 31, 1950, Zaha Hadid is known for her out-of-the-box design style, which makes her stand out. Hadid’s journey began with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in Lebanon. Then, she went to London to study at the Architectural Association, where she met with other architects and collaborated with them. Later, Hadid went on to establish her London-based firm, firm Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA). Hadid gained attention in 1983 when she submitted a drawing for Hong Kong that featured a horizontal skyscraper, although this design and many other designs were not recognised until the early 1990s. Zaha Hadid was known as a paper architect, indicating that her projects could never move on or get built and were only a showpiece on a piece of paper, but she soon proved all the critics wrong. This article will discuss the various projects that show Zaha Hadid’s building style and why she was known as the queen of curves.
Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, Baku, Azerbaijan (2012)
The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center in Baku is approximately 619,000 square feet and is known for its curved style. The inspiration for this centre’s design was based on the language, history, and culture, and the centre’s purpose was to host art exhibitions, concerts, international conferences, and different forums. Named after the first secretary of Soviet Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, the overall shape of this centre resembles a wave that comes up from the ground, ascends to the sky and then descends to earth to show Azerbaijan’s past progress and openness. The centre is known for its column-free design; this was done to give the visitors a fluid experience. The centre contains two structural systems: the space frame and the concrete joint. The space frame significantly saves time and introduces boot columns and cantilever beams to support the building envelope. Concrete was used to construct walls and the footing of the building as a solution for earthquakes, which are very common in Azerbaijan.
Guangzhou Opera House, Guangzhou, China (2010)
Located near the Pearl River, the Opera House is at the heart of Guangzhou’s cultural sites development. It has a unique twin boulder design that shows urban functionality and has become one of China’s three biggest theatres. This Opera House, designed by Zaha Hadid, is constructed from 12,000 tons of steel on a 70,000 square meter with glass and concrete. The shape resembles two pebbles on the bank of the river and has 1800 seats for theatre and 400 seats for multipurpose halls and rehearsal rooms. The main auditorium’s panel is made from glass-fibre-reinforced gypsum to create a wavy surface. The interiors are also designed in the same way where folds can be seen throughout, continuing the concept. The design perfectly showcases the natural landscape, which shows erosion, geology, and topography.
MAXXI Museum, Rome, Italy (2009)
MAXXI is a contemporary art museum in Rome with dynamic, curving concrete structures. With an area of 30,000 square meters, this project was an art competition won by Zaha Hadid, launched by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage. This complex houses two institutions, both aiming to promote art and architecture. This project uses glass, steel, and cement for a neutral aesthetic that pairs with the vibrancy of different artworks. This complex is shaped like a fluid and sinuous, interweaving using natural light, followed by a spatial and functional framework. The two main principles of this project are the concrete walls to define the gallery’s shape and the glass roof to allow natural sunlight.
London Aquatics Centre, London, United Kingdom (2011)
The fluid geometry of water inspires the London Aquatic Center. Built for the 2012 Summer Olympics, the roof of the centre spans 160 meters and is made from steel and timber, giving it a light appearance. The curved concrete walls for smooth acoustics were designed to accommodate 17,500 spectators but were later changed to 2500 for practical public use.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul, South Korea (2014)
Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a cultural and commercial hub for exhibitions, conferences and retail. This plaza is a futuristic fluid structure with an organic form to break away from the standard urban gridlines. The exterior skin of the plaza consists of 45000 aluminium panels that are curved in a custom manner to create smooth surfaces. These panels also contain LED light that is embedded into them to provide dynamic lighting that changes over time. This design by Zaha Hadid seamlessly integrates the outdoor with the indoor environment, making it perfect for a public space.
BMW Central Building, Leipzig, Germany (2005)
This central building was made for automotive manufacturing and corporate offices. Asymmetrical and curvy elements are used instead of the usual box-shaped factories to show BMW’s drive for innovation. Industrial architecture is demonstrated by blending office spaces with the production line, making the building part of the assembly process and connecting workers and managers. Zaha Hadid thus created a benchmark in modern industrial architecture by showing that buildings can be aesthetic and functional simultaneously.
Zaha Hadid’s architectural thinking reshaped modern design and challenged traditional form with her futuristic structures. Her bold and curvy designs mentioned in the above projects show that architecture is more than a function; it’s an art form. Despite the early challenges she faced, she continued to inspire and revolutionise the field, paving the way for future female architects and designers. Even after her passing, her legacy still lives on, and she remains the Queen of Curves.
References:
- Zaha Hadid (2024) Encyclopædia Britannica. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Zaha-Hadid
- Zaha Hadid Architects (no date) Heydar Aliyev Centre – Zaha Hadid Architects. Available at: https://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/heydar-aliyev-centre/
- Guangzhou Opera House: Zaha Hadid Architects, L-acoustics, Hangzhou Yidashi Lighting Equipment Co. Ltd (no date) Archello. Available at: https://archello.com/project/guangzhou-opera-house
- Zaha Hadid Architects (no date a) Guangzhou Opera House – Zaha Hadid Architects. Available at: https://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/guangzhou-opera-house/
- Maxxi Museum: Zaha Hadid Architects, Bega, barrisol – normalu SAS (no date a) Archello. Available at: https://archello.com/pt/project/maxxi-museum
- London Aquatics Centre: Zaha Hadid Architects, VS-A: Façade engineering, Foreco (no date a) Archello. Available at: https://archello.com/project/london-aquatics-centre
Image References:
- Zaha Hadid_NEDGIS (Website) https://www.nedgis.com/en/designers/zaha-hadid
- Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center_Drifttravel (Website) https://drifttravel.com/zaha-hadids-architectural-marvel-the-heydar-aliyev-centre/
- Guangzhou Opera House_ We Build Value (Website) https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/infrastructure/guangzhou-opera-house.html#gallery-3
- MAXXI Museum_JourneystoItaly (Website) https://www.journeystoitaly.com/maxxi-museum-rome-a-modern-marvel-of-contemporary-art/
- London Aquatics Centre_Architect Magazine (Website) https://www.architectmagazine.com/project-gallery/london-aquatics-centre-397
- Dongdaemun Design Plaz_AGODA (Website) https://www.agoda.com/travel-guides/south-korea/seoul/exploring-dongdaemun-design-plaza-seouls-hub-of-innovation-and-culture/
- BMW Central Building_The Plan (Website) https://www.theplan.it/eng/magazine/2005/the-plan-011-09-2005-/bmw-plant-central-building
