Loading ...Who Was The Queen of Curves Zaha Hadid?
By: Mohammed Abduljabbar / Arab America Contributing Writer
Early Stages
Born to an affluent Iraqi family in Baghdad in 1950, Zaha Hadid inherited a conservative society. Her ambitions and aspirations had to overcome women’s challenges in the middle east. According to her, her father was very supportive of her. When Zaha was 8, Mohammed Hadid became the minister of finance in Iraq. When Hadid grew up, she decided to attend the American University in Beirut. She then studied architecture at the Architectural Association in the U.K. in 1972.
Honors and Titles
Hadid’s designs captivate critics, academics, journalists, and average observers alike. Her style, radical deconstructivist, is undoubtedly unique. It relies on utilizing curves and all aspects of physics to reflect geometrical shapes that beautifully tell a story. Hadid is nothing short of an abstract artist. Besides buildings, Hadid also designed many other items, including perfume bottles, items of clothing, and a car! She became the first woman to ever win the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004. Zaha Hadid also designed the first American museum designed by a woman. The Diva was also given the title of Dame by Queen Elizabeth II. Hadid and her team won many awards over the years; to check them all out, visit Zaha Hadid‘s website.
Designs in Iraq?
Many Iraqis were hoping to see their beloved architect redraw the skyline of the capital Baghdad during the post-war reconstruction period. Unfortunately, she didn’t. ِAccording to a media outlet in the Middle East, Daily Plus Media, Hadid submitted multiple designs to the Iraqi parliament but it was rejected. In the early 2010s, Hadid announced that she was competing to design the new building for the Central Bank of Iraq in Baghdad, and she later won that competition. She also said that her office lost the competition for the new building of the cabinet of the government in Baghdad. In that same interview, Hadid announced her desire to help build the architectural bases in Baghdad and Iraq, but they, the government, would have to invite her.
Hadid passed away in Miami in 2016 due to a heart attack. But, Hadid’s design for the new Central Bank of Iraq is now in its final stages. The world-known architect will finally have her signature on the skyline of Baghdad.
Central Bank of Iraq, Baghdad – Under Final Stages of Construction
Notable Designs
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