Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects
Zaha Hadid, the first woman to be awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, died suddenly in Miami early Thursday morning. She was 65.
Hadid’s death was confirmed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the London-based practice she founded in 1979. In a statement, the firm said the architect contracted bronchitis earlier this week and suffered a sudden heart attack while being treated at a hospital.
Born in Baghdad in 1950, Hadid was known for her curving and modernist designs that pushed the limits of innovation. She leaves several prominent projects unfinished, including One Thousand Museum, her first residential skyscraper in the Western hemisphere, on Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. The ultra-luxury tower is scheduled for completion in late 2017.
“The world has just lost an amazing woman with unequaled talent,” said Gregg Covin, Kevin Venger and Louis Birdman, the developers behind One Thousand Museum in a joint statement with partners Regalia Group and Todd Glaser. “Our heartfelt condolences go to her family, friends and colleagues. We are extremely honored to have known and worked with Zaha and we will continue to honor her vision.”
Hadid also envisioned the 11-story condominium 520 West 28th Street, currently under construction near Manhattan’s High Line. The building is being developed by Related Companies and is expected to be complete in spring 2017.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Zaha Hadid’s family, friends and colleagues. She was a visionary and her work was inspirational,” said Jeff Blau, chief executive officer at Related. “We are honored to have collaborated with one of the world’s greatest architects and her impact is sure to be felt for decades to come.”
Completed in 1993, the Vitra Fire Station in Weil am Rhein, Germany, was Hadid’s first big commission. Other notable projects include the MAXXI: Italian National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome, the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games, the Heydar Aliyev Centre in Baku and the Guangzhou Opera House in China. She was recently awarded the RIBA’s 2016 Royal Gold Medal — the first woman to receive that honor.
Those who knew Hadid took to social media channels to express their condolences and respect.
Zhang Xin, co-founder and CEO of SOHO China, Beijing’s largest commercial real estate developer, shared on the Chinese social network Weibo that she was devastated by the news. Having been with Hadid in New York just last week, Zhang wrote, “I didn’t expect this to be the last time we would meet.”
One Response
Never met the lady but felt her energy, her power, her beauty through her designs, and through her words.
She said what was on her mind and you got the feeling she was uncompromising in her beliefs and she clearly brought a lot of joy to people’s lives through her work.
What I loved about her when Isaw her in interviews was that it was clear she was a strong no nonsense artist, but she also exuded femininity and humour.
RIP….Sister Zaha Hadid. You will be missed!