Zaha Hadid, Changed the Recognition of Women in History
Originally from Baghdad, she studied mathematics in Beirut at the American University in that city and later moved to London to obtain her professional degree from the Architectural Association.
The Woman Post | Maria Claudia Londoño
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This Anglo-Iraqi architect, dedicated to the current deconstructivism, within her profession as an architect, marked a new trend in the 21st century. During her successful and renowned career, she won awards such as the Mies van der Roche, she was also the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, which is considered the most important in world architecture, and she also won the Praemium Imperiale.
She knew how to stand out in a world traditionally marked by a broad male preference, where women have not been prominent or recognized enough. We can imagine her putting up her drawings with totally new, different proposals, with a futuristic vision, and for whom the word "no" was not an obstacle or stopped her from moving forward and achieving what she wanted. She passed away in 2016, at the age of 65, leaving many sketches and traces unrealized, but which, due to their importance and relevance, are exhibited in museums as permanent exhibits around the world: at the MoMA in New York, MoMA of San Francisco and the Deutsches Architektur Museum in Frankfurt, Germany.
The wonderful, unique, and outstanding thing about her architectural designs was to reflect the constant search for an artistic abstraction, through which she explored unthinkable spaces with geometric elements, forms with their own life that undoubtedly arouse a unique experience in the observer.
Knowing her built projects generates astonishment and represents looking at totally different concepts, in which Zaha Hadid managed to combine shapes and materials previously thought of as not possible, leading her to be the greatest reference in deconstructivist architecture, holding notable exhibitions such as the Museum of New York Modern Art. Among others, we will mention the following:
• Vitra Fire Station, Weil am Rhein, Germany
• Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Terminal and car park Hoenheim-North, Strasbourg, France
• Bergisel ski jumping platform, Innsbruck, Austria
• Ordrupgård Annex, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Phaeno Science Center, Wolfsburg, Germany
• (Cable Car) Nordkettenbahn, Innsbruck, Austria
• BMW Center, Leipzig, Germany
• London Aquatic Center, England
• Beijing-Daxing International Airport, Beijing-Hebei, China
• Bridge Pavilion of the International Exhibition in Zaragoza.
One of his latest projects is located at 520 West 28th Street, also known as the Zaha Hadid Building, in Chelsea, Manhattan Island, New York, next to the High Line elevated park, which just by looking at it, you can perfectly distinguish the style of this architect, due to its structure, oblique windows and which, due to its façade, is an icon of the city.
On the other hand, brands such as Melissa, Lacoste, Bulgari, Alissa, and Adidas partnered with her to carry out projects in interior design, furniture, clothing, and some consumer objects.
At The Woman Post, we want to make known these unique, brave, powerful women who inspire everyone who reads our articles and content to strengthen their convictions and aspirations regarding what they want to achieve and project. Undoubtedly Zaha Hadid is that overwhelming woman who leaves us with this message and that is why, among more than 20 awards awarded to her in her career, we want to highlight the Jane Drew Award for her exceptional contribution to the status of women in architecture, changing history forever.
