7 Times Zaha Hadid Wowed Us :: Beirut.com

The art and architecture world is still reeling from the loss of the world’s most famous female architect: Zaha Hadid. Having suffered from a heart attack at the age of 65, Hadid leaves behind an incomparable body of work that is sure to solidify her status as one of the best designers of our time. Known for her striking bold shapes and love of futuristic curves, her buildings dot the globe.

An Iraqi-born, London-based architect, she will be remembered as the first woman (and first Muslim) to ever win the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize.

Her death hits close to home as she was a former AUB student and received an honorary degree from the University in 2006. After completing her studies at AUB she went on to pursue graduate studies in London but her connection to the campus remains and is marked by her daring Issam Fares Institute building, completed in 2014. Here list of accomplishments are too long to mention but here are seven7 times Zaha Hadid wowed us:

Issam Fares Institute building, Beirut

Photo taken by Mehr Shefiei

Completed in 2014, this building is the treasure of AUB. Just like the architect herself, the design is bold and defiant.

The Maxxi Museum, Rome

Image via Bloomberg.com

Completed in 2009, the Maxxi Museum took ten years to complete and features a modernist black-and-white interior that recalls the minimalism of a blank canvas.

Heydar Aliyev Center, Azerbaijan

If you ever find yourself in Baku, Azerbaijan you have to check out this crazy building. The design looks like a huge ocean current was frozen mid-wave. It opened in 2012.

DongDaemun Plaza, South Korea

Image via Loeildelaphotographie.com

This building in Seoul was inaugurated in 2014 and used state-of-the-art construction technology to create the curvy façade.

London Aquatics Center, United Kingdom

Built for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Hadid garnered the admiration of the Queen who she was reportedly very nervous to meet.

Bridge Pavilion, Spain

Image via Forbes.com

There is nothing quite like the Bridge Pavilion, which was constructed for Expo 2008 that was held in Zaragoza, Spain.

The Phaeno Science Center, Germany

Image via Fastcodesigns.com

Hadid completed this interactive science center in Wolfsburg, Germany back in 2005 and it was so appealing that it has made some cameos in a few action films.

Rest in peace.