Innovatia

The foundations of greatness Zaha Hadid was born on October 31, 1950, into a household that embraced both politics and the arts, and a city on the cusp of transformation. “When people see something fantastic they think that it’s not possible to achieve it in real life, but that’s not true. You can achieve amazing things.” Baghdad’s historic core, known as the Old City, featured labyrinthine streets, bustling markets, and stunning mosques and palaces that spoke to its illustrious past as the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate during the Islamic Gold- en Age. Landmarks such as the Al-Mustansiriya Madrasah and the Al-Kadhimiya Mosque were testaments to its historical significance. Else- where, though, the city was undergoing rapid

House in China to the Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan, and the MAXXI museum in Rome, Hadid’s daring designs defied gravity and con- vention, and blurred the boundaries between art, architecture and mathematics. Hadid’s style was characterised by fluidi- ty and dynamism, and her distinctive use of innovative materials and technologies. Her sculptural structures have become iconic des- tinations, drawing visitors from across the globe who seek to experience the awe-inspir- ing beauty she brought to life. Hadid also chal- lenged traditional notions of who could be an architect: she was the first woman to break the glass ceiling of the “starchitect” universe, and the first woman to receive the Pritzker Prize for Architecture (considered the Nobel Prize of ar- chitecture) in her own right. Reflecting on the architectural marvels of the 21st century, it is impossible to overlook the profound impact of Hadid, whose work left an indelible mark on the world and continues to inspire and influence new generations.

ZAHA HADID: THE GREATEST ARCHITECT OF THE 21ST CENTURY? In the realm of architecture, there are those who merely shape spaces, and then there are those who redefine the boundaries of what we consider possible. With her fluid, dynamic designs, acclaimed Iraqi-British Z aha Hadid was born into a city of juxtapo- sitions. Baghdad was a bustling metrop- olis where tradition and progress were colliding; ancient buildings stood side-by- side with modern developments. Her father, a wealthy industrialist and politician, took the young Hadid on walks through the city, and on visits to the Sumerian cities in the south of Iraq. He was a great storyteller, and these journeys provided fertile ground for Hadid’s curiosity and creativity to flourish. architect Zaha Hadid (1950-2016) no doubt falls into the latter category. By Monique Ross

Hadid’s powerful architectural imagination saw her become a visionary – dubbed the ‘Queen of the Curve’ – who fundamentally al- tered the contours of modern architecture and design. She took inspiration from the rivers and the dunes of the Middle East. “There are 360 degrees. Why stick to one?” she famously said of her philosophy. Across a career spanning decades, she pushed the limits of what can be created with concrete, steel and glass. From the Guangzhou Opera

Heydar Aliyev Center in Azerbaijan

INNOVATIA

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