The Future of Architecture: Zaha Hadid

Striving to create a new form of modern architecture, Zaha Hadid has all but abandoned tradition to produce a revolutionary style that emphasizes asymmetrical geometries, unprecedented curves, and a dramatic flair that’s simply amazing, even through the lens of science fiction and fantasy.

Utilizing new construction techniques and cutting-edge materials, Iraqi-born Hadid has outstandingly broken away from traditional flat-roofed, rectangular-formed structures—the style of building and design that’s dominated architecture for centuries. But her talent goes well beyond unconventional angles and curvature. It’s difficult, in fact, to put one’s finger on exactly what it is that makes Hadid’s work so utterly remarkable.

Take the Zaragoza Bridge in Spain, for example, a 280-meter-long (919 ft.) enclosed pedestrian footbridge that extends over the River Ebro, comprised of fiberglass, reinforced concrete, and 29,000 fiber C triangles—a magnificent fusion of art and architecture. In the case of the Library and Learning Centre at the University of Economics in Vienna, Hadid’s design boasts sheer mastery over free-form architecture, curved concrete application, and impressively flowing dynamics.  

However building structure and outward design are only a portion of Hadid’s expertise. Her gift for design creativity extends well into the interior; adding an abstract sense of elegance and perfection to inner spaces and living areas. She’s also known for some of the most stunning designs in the realm of watercraft design, which is well-represented in works such as Jazz, the out-of-this-world Blom+Voss superyacht, which, according to Hadid, was inspired by "fluid dynamics and underwater ecosystems."

Equally impressive (and most unexpected) is Hadid’s transition to clothing and accessory design, which is gracefully articulated through never-before-seen items like space-age Louis Vuitton handbags and wild, contemporary lines of footwear made by Melissa and Lacoste. All in all, to say her vision for modern society is "futuristic" would be a major understatement. Hadid’s state-of-the-art designs are groundbreaking, brilliant, and inspirational, to say the least.

Hadid’s talent is recognized worldwide and has been employed by some of the world’s most prominent developers and producers such as BMW and Chanel, as well as various government bodies and organizations. In 2004 Hadid was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, architecture's equivalent of the Nobel Prize, and has since received numerous awards and recognition for her many great accomplishments.

One can only imagine what the cities, transportation devices, appliances, furnishings, and fashions of the future will look like when the world finally catches up with Hadid’s unique vision. We can assume, however, that by the time other leading architects and designers begin to experiment with the mesmerizing concepts Hadid has introduced to the world, the pioneering artist will already be drafting new, inconceivable projects that are, characteristically, well ahead of their time.