31 March marked nine years since the death of British architect Zaha Hadid, who died of a heart attack in a Miami hospital where she was treated for bronchitis. Hadid was the first female architect to win the Pritzker Prize in Architecture, and the Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects. Famous for her futuristic style, characterised by fluid, often gravity-defying designs, curving facades, and sharp angles, she created dozens of buildings all over the world that redefined modern architecture.
Born in Baghdad in 1950, Hadid first studied mathematics at the American University of Beirut, and in the 1970s, she moved to London, where she pursued architecture at the Architectural Association School in London. In 1979, she founded her own company, Zaha Hadid Architects, and in the 1990s, she quickly gained recognition for her bold and unique ideas.
Going against conventional, her design concepts are eye-catching and have unique forms, style and quality, making her works recognisable. Hadid created her signature style, and now her buildings can be found all across the globe, each showcasing sophisticated curves and futuristic shapes. Here are eleven of her most remarkable creations:
1. London Aquatics Centre, UK
The London Aquatics Centre was designed for the 2012 Summer Olympics and features a striking wave-like roof inspired by the movement of water. The venue was constructed using a combination of steel, reinforced concrete, aluminium, and glass, along with wood for the ceiling.
2. Guangzhou Opera House, China
The Guangzhou Opera House is designed to resemble two large pebbles smoothed by the flow of the Pearl River. Incorporating elements of deconstructivism, the building’s exterior showcases a distinguished form with a glass facade enhancing the futuristic ambience. This design draws inspiration from natural landscapes, particularly river valleys and the way they are transformed by erosion.
3. Heydar Aliyev Center, Azerbaijan
The Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku opened in 2012 and is considered a symbol of Azerbaijan’s modernisation. In 2014, the building was recognised as the best in the world, receiving the Design of the Year award from the London Design Museum. Renowned for its flowing form, it was constructed using reinforced concrete, steel, and glass. The building’s sweeping curves create a sense of movement, symbolising innovation and progress.
4. Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Center, China
The Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Art Centre, located at the heart of Aviation New City, within the artificial ZhongXin Lake, is an outstanding cultural hub for science, art and performance that reflects curvilinear geometry, smooth transitions, embodying Hadid’s signature futuristic aesthetic. The centre’s expansive roofscape, which has been inspired by the chevron patterns of migratory birds flying in southern China, is what makes it stand out. The venues were separated into four wings, two large and two small, which flank a central plaza spanning 170 meters by 270 meters in total.
5. Port House, Belgium
The Port House in Antwerp is a diamond-shaped glass structure hovering above a former fire station. Its faceted glass extension resembles the bow of a ship and points towards the Scheldt, connecting the building with the river on which Antwerp was founded and symbolising the city’s maritime and diamond industries.
6. Sheikh Zayed Bridge, UAE
The Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi features flowing arches inspired by desert dunes. The bridge spans 842 meters, with its curving supports rising to 60 meters above the water. At night, vibrant lighting accentuates its dynamic appearance, making it a modern icon.
7. Wangjing Soho, China
The Wangjing SOHO complex in Beijing consists of three curvilinear towers that resemble flowing pebbles. Designed for office and commercial use, the sleek glass facades create a refined futuristic appearance.
8. Dongdaemun Design Plaza, South Korea
Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul is a futuristic cultural hub for fashion and design. Its distinctively neo-futuristic design with smooth, flowing aluminium facade and elongated structures has a striking spaceship-like appearance. Featuring open exhibition spaces, fashion venues, and rooftop gardens, it became the capital’s symbol of innovation and creativity.
9. KAFD Metro Station, Saudi Arabia
Located in the financial sector of Riyadh, the station is a major interchange on the new metro line, which runs over 176 kilometres across 85 stops, making it a key part of the capital’s transport system. The station’s sinuous facade is lined with concrete panels that are defined by a lattice structure. Its design mimics the patterns created by desert winds in the sand, where reverberation and a variety of frequencies create the intricate repeating of patterns.
10. Riverside Museum, Scotland
The Riverside Museum in Glasgow features a 36-metre glass facade overlooking the River Clyde and has an eye-catching zigzagging roof inspired by the movement of the river. Its open, column-free interior enhances the display, while the tunnel-like structure connects opposite ends of the city and the Clyde. The museum owns a vast collection of historic vehicles celebrating Glasgow’s rich industrial and maritime heritage.
11. Galaxy SOHO, China
The Galaxy Soho in Beijing is an office and entertainment complex made up of four main domed structures connected by continuous platforms and bridges that generate a flowing space resembling a classical Chinese courtyard. The exterior of the building is clad in aluminium and stone, while the interior features glass, terrazzo, stainless steel and glass-reinforced gypsum, generating a smooth composition without corners or abrupt transitions.
Zaha Hadid’s architectural legacy is defined by her innovative designs and pioneering spirit. In 2012, she was honoured as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to architecture. Hadid’s influence remains timeless, inspiring new generations of architects to rethink the possibilities of design and urban landscapes.
