Zaha Hadid is one of the most prominent names in the world of contemporary architecture. Her bold, futuristic buildings are recognizable at first glance. But behind the image of the “queen of curves” often lies a personality that is much deeper and more multifaceted than is commonly believed.
We have all seen photos of the Guangzhou Opera House or the Heydar Aliyev Center — these stunning structures seem like something from the future. However, Hadid's path to worldwide recognition was full of obstacles and unexpected twists and turns. Her first projects were considered too radical and even impossible to implement.
In this article, we won't go into detail about her famous works. Instead, we'll take a look behind the scenes of her creativity and life. You'll learn little-known facts that reveal a whole new side to Zaha Hadid — her passions, sources of inspiration, and moments that shaped her unique view of the world.
- 1. For many years, Hadid was an architect who could not build anything.
- 2. Hadid's first project — a fire station on the Vitra campus in Weil am Rhein
- 3. Initially, Zaha wanted to become a mathematician
- 4. Hadid had a difficult personality
- 5. Zaha is the creator of a very successful line of shoes. And not just one
- 6. Jewelry design was another of Hadid's passions
- 7. Zaha Hadid was a fan of Kazimir Malevich's work
- 8. Hadid, an outstanding contemporary architect, lived in an ordinary house
- 9. Zaha Hadid was never married
1. For many years, Hadid was an architect who could not build anything.
Her work seemed too crazy and unrealistic to the public and did not receive recognition: even Hadid's winning competition designs were harshly criticized and canceled. Nevertheless, the architect managed to break through the wall of misunderstanding without changing herself. Hadid built her first building at the age of 44.
Dominion Tower Business Center, Moscow
Dominion Tower Business Center, Moscow
2. Hadid's first project — a fire station on the Vitra campus in Weil am Rhein
It was rebuilt according to Hadid's design in 1994. In the project, the architect summarized the ideas of the constructivists—Corbusier, Gropius, Kandinsky.
3. Initially, Zaha wanted to become a mathematician
She studied mathematics in Beirut when she suddenly decided to focus on architecture. After moving to London in 1972, Hadid began attending the Architectural Association School, where she was mentored by Dutch deconstructivist theorist Rem Koolhaas. Her interest in geometry greatly influenced her vision of architecture and neo-futuristic design.
4. Hadid had a difficult personality
Legends circulated about Hadid's fierce temper and uncompromising character. Once, Zaha demanded to be immediately removed from a plane that was delayed on the runway and to have her and all her luggage checked in for another flight that would depart for its destination without any delays.
In another instance, she sent her assistant from the Venice Architecture Biennale to her London apartment to fetch a pair of shoes that she absolutely wanted to wear to a party.
Hadid always achieved what she wanted and never allowed anyone to doubt her rightness. Perhaps that is why, contrary to the impossible, engineers brought all her fantastic ideas to life.
Opera in Guangzhou
Guangzhou Opera House
Guangzhou Opera House
Opera in Guangzhou
5. Zaha is the creator of a very successful line of shoes. And not just one
Zaha Hadid's interests were never limited to architecture alone. In 2009, Zaha designed unusual shoes with streamlined shapes for the Brazilian brand Melissa. The shoes fit the foot like a second skin and were made of plastic.
Shoes for Melissa
Shoes for Melissa
Next came collaborations with Lacosta and United Nude. The similarity between Zaha's shoe designs and her architectural projects is obvious! The futuristic Flames shoes for United Nude were printed on a 3D printer.
Flames shoes for United Nude
Flames shoes for United Nude
The Nova shoes are made of chrome-plated vinyl and feature a 16-centimeter heel.
Nova shoes for United Nude
Nova shoes for United Nude
Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-British architect famous for her bold, fantastical buildings, was not just the “queen of concrete,” but a person with a vibrant, multifaceted life full of unexpected twists and turns. Many people don't know that she started out as a mathematician, suffered setbacks at the height of her career, and that her first projects remained on paper for years. She didn't just break architectural stereotypes — she lived differently: she wore designer clothes like a uniform, participated in fashion shows, and remained bold, free, and incredibly stubborn in her ideas until the very end.
6. Jewelry design was another of Hadid's passions
Zaha Hadid designed the Lamellae Double Ring, a silver ring that fits over two fingers, for the Danish jewelry brand Georg Jensen.
7. Zaha Hadid was a fan of Kazimir Malevich's work
Zaha's thesis project, a habitable bridge over the Thames, was aptly named “Malevich's Tectonics.”
8. Hadid, an outstanding contemporary architect, lived in an ordinary house
Inside, the interior is minimalist, even ascetic, with no kitchen. When she was once asked how the queen of fantastic forms could live in a fairly standard rectangular house, she replied quite simply: “It's not my project.”
Zaha Hadid: “You must always believe in yourself. If I didn't have faith, I would have packed my bags and left England long ago.”
Zaha Hadid: “You always have to believe in yourself. If I didn't have faith, I would have packed my bags and left England a long time ago.”
9. Zaha Hadid was never married
Although there were once rumors on the internet that Hadid was married to her colleague Patrick Schumacher, an official press release assured everyone that this was just gossip. Zaha was never married and had no children, but she always denied that she sacrificed her family life for her career.
Zaha Hadid: “When people see a fantastic project, they think it's impossible to implement in real life. But that's not true. Everything fantastic is real.”
Zaha Hadid: “When people see a fantastic project, they think it's impossible to implement in real life. But that's not true. Everything fantastic is real.”
As you can see, Zaha Hadid was a much more multifaceted personality than she appeared at first glance. Her legacy is not only futuristic buildings, but also a bold challenge to the entire world of architecture, which was not ready to accept her for a long time. She proved that audacity, perseverance, and a unique vision can literally change the landscape of our cities.
These facts reveal not just the biography of a genius, but the story of a lively, passionate person. Behind the abstract forms of her buildings lay a passion for mathematics, a love of art, a subtle sense of humor, and incredible productivity. Her work became a bridge between different eras and disciplines.
Ultimately, the main thing about Zaha Hadid is her indomitable will to bring to life ideas that others thought impossible. Her architecture, once existing only on paper, has now become an integral part of our reality, inspiring future generations to dream as boldly as she did.
