9 Examples of the Inspiring Architecture of Zaha Hadid

9 Examples of the Inspiring

Architecture of Zaha Hadid

Dr. Ehsan Bayat

9 Examples of the Inspiring Architecture of Zaha Hadid The Middle East is known for its burgeoning real estate market and innovative architecture. Some of

the world’s most renowned architects, including winners of the Pritzker Prize, have designed skyscrapers and infrastructure in the region. One such visionary is the late Dame Zaha Hadid (1950-2016).

Born in Iraq, Zaha Hadid was a London-based architect who had a profound impact on her field. Her career first gained momentum with her concept for the Vitra Fire Station in Germany, and her portfolio subsequently grew to include the MAXXI National Museum of the 21st Century Arts in Rome, the Guangzhou Opera House in China, and the London Aquatics Center for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Zaha Hadid focused on creating fluid designs, and her commitment to that style earned her the informal title “Queen of the Curve” from The Guardian newspaper. She not only introduced new theories of design, but she also opened up many doors for women in her field. In 2004, she became the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, the Nobel Prize equivalent in architecture, and in 2012, she received the honor of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Considered one of the greatest architects of her generation, Hadid established a distinctive brand that can be seen in the many structures she designed. Her creations will continue to come to life even after her death, as many of the projects are still in the construction or planning phases, including several in the Middle East. Here is a look at a few of these, as well as other Zaha Hadid buildings in the region.

1. The Opus – Dubai, UAE

In 2007, Hadid revealed her plans for The Opus, a cube-like structure with an artistically curved opening at the center. The development serves commercial, retail, and residential purposes, and in 2017, the ME Dubai Hotel will open inside of the building, which is located in the Burj Khalifa district of Dubai.

- Image by Edward Sanderson | Flickr

2. Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center – Abu Dhabi, UAE A central piece of the cultural district on

Saadiyat Island, the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center is home to multiple theaters and contains seating for thousands. The structure, which may also function as an academy one day, is designed so that it appears to hover above the water.

- Image by Luca Mauri | Flickr

3. Sheikh Zayed Bridge – Abu Dhabi, UAE The Sheikh Zayed Bridge,

finished in 2010, spans the Maqtah channel to connect Abu Dhabi Island with the mainland. Beyond its practical usefulness, the bridge also offers aesthetic beauty, with its dramatically curved arches that mimic the shape of sand dunes. Hadid’s design both facilitates everyday travel and attracts tourists.

- Image by Still Epsilon | Flickr

4. Bee’ah Headquarters – Sharjah, UAE Hadid created a design for the headquarters of the Bee’ah waste

management company in the shape of sand dunes, so that the building will blend in seamlessly with its surroundings. She announced the concept in 2014. The 7,000-square-foot, energy-efficient structure will be built largely from reclaimed materials.

5. King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Opened in 2016, this non-profit research center was designed like a

modular structure. The unique shape of the building allows for future growth, as each six-sided section connects with the next, similar to the form of a honeycomb. In addition, the outer shell of the building lets in sunlight while shielding occupants from direct rays.

6. King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia The ArRiyadh Development Authority commissioned Hadid and her

team to design a showstopper of a metro station for the city’s new public transit system. Projected for a 2017 completion, this innovatively designed station will connect metro lines 1, 4, and 6. The outer shape of the four-story building resembles a wave, with undulating sections of intricate latticework.

7. Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs – Beirut, Lebanon

The Issam Fares Institute is a think tank that operates on the campus of Hadid’s alma mater, the American University of Beirut. With its cantilever design, the upper floors extend out over the ground below, allowing the facility to maximize its footprint. Inside, visitors will find a reading room, research space, and a 100-seat auditorium.

8. Central Bank of Iraq – Baghdad, Iraq In 2011, Hadid agreed to design the Central Bank of Iraq, and while

the project remains on hold, the renderings and specifications are complete. Hadid envisioned a 172-meter tower with a twisting exoskeleton rising from a podium along the shores of the Tigris River. A pattern of open and closed spaces will adorn the tower’s façade to create an effect that mirrors the waves on the river.

9. Al Wakrah Stadium – Al Wakrah, Qatar Hadid announced the plans for the Al Wakrah Stadium in 2013.

Projected to accommodate roughly 40,000 people, the stadium will operate as one of the venues for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. The dhow, a traditional Arabian sailboat, inspired the shape of the stadium.