Zaha Hadid : "I Don't Do Nice"

Zaha Hadid has created a reputation as one of the most distinguished architects in the world. Designing unique and controversial architectures has become Hadid's trademark.

Source: The Pritzker Architecture Prize

Born October 31, 1950 in Baghdad, Iraq. She received a degree in mathematics from the American University of Beirut before moving to study at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London. After graduating she worked with her former teacher, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture, becoming a partner in 1977. It was with Koolhaas that she met Peter Rice who gave her support and encouragement early on, at a time when her work seemed difficult to build. In 1980 she established her own London-based practice. During the 1980s she also taught at the Architectural Association. She has also taught at prestigious institutions around the world. A winner of many international competitions, theoretically influential and groundbreaking, a number of Hadid's winning designs were initially never built.

Wikipedia

Here are some of Hadid's stunning designs:

1.Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre

Source: Yanko Design

2.Vertical Shopping in Istanbul

Source: 100% Design


3.Opus Tower in Dubai

Source: Yanko Design


4. Richard and Lois Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, Cincinnati (Ohio), USA

Source: EgoDesign

When asked about her style in an article by The Guardian Unlimited, Hadid said:

I don't design nice buildings - I don't like them. I like architecture to have some raw, vital, earthy quality. You don't need to make concrete perfectly smooth or paint it or polish it. If you consider changes in the play of light on a building before it's built, you can vary the colour and feel of concrete by daylight alone.

To read more about Hadid's projects, visit her official website here.