The Architects Genius Lives on Through her Astonishing Body of Work
Zaha Hadid, the starchitect who passed away suddenly in spring in Miami, where her One Thousand Museum residential high rise is under construction, lives on through her work. The Baghdad-born, multidisciplinary designer seems to be everywhere these days, from premieres of her London-based namesake firms projects to sculpture and fashion exhibits to crystal collaborations. Patrik Schumacher, a German disciple of Hadid who worked with her for nearly 30 years, seamlessly transitioned into his new position as principal to oversee dozens of projects that had broken ground or were in the final stages of design in a staggering 26 countries upon her death.
In late September, the firms $62-million Port House was unveiled in Antwerp. The jewel-faceted, sail structure quickly became known as the diamond ship. Other projects in the works include an airport in Beijing, the Iraqi Parliament and a stadium for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar.
Due in 2018, her residential high-rise tower in downtown Miami is the first and last of its category in the Western hemisphere. As of Fall 2016, slightly more than half its 83 condominiums ranging from 4,600 to 10,000 square feet were purchased beginning at $5.5 million. Beyond their unique placement within the late architects portfolio, the remaining pool of homes as works of art is expected to escalate in price when models debut in early 2017 for potential buyers to see and touch her extraordinary genius.
Several exhibits involving Hadid are being organized this year as well. The 11th edition of Sothebys Beyond Limits outdoor sculpture exhibit features Lilas, her pavilion commissioned by the Serpentine Gallery for its 30th anniversary gala in 2007. The steel and tensile fabric, open-air structures calligraphic arcs exemplify her penchant for organic forms found in nature but always with a technology twist. Its on view at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, UK, through October 30.
The Serpentine Gallery exhibits Hadids paintings and rarely seen drawings, including calligraphy architecture sketches, from December 8, 2016 to February 12, 2017. The venue, the Serpentine Sackler Gallery, couldnt be any more fitting to experience her world. This is one of her firms initial permanent buildings in the heart of London and completed in 2013.
Meanwhile, her ubiquitous innovation can be explored in a fashion exhibit, The Extraordinary Process, at Londons Maison Mais Non gallery through November 16. Since Hadid made her passion for home and fashion design widely knownshe has lent her eye to brands from Chanel to Melissa Shoescurator Lou Stoppard organized a group show of pieces that further her application of technology to everyday wares. Designers were challenged to pioneer advancements in fashion technology, which resulted in Peter Dos potentially downloadable yarns, Nasir Mazhars touch-sensitive microphone hat and Iris Van Herpens dress made from thousands of transparent pieces that envelop the wearer in a glowing halo.
Hadid continues to have collaborations up her sleeve, too. Her Crystal Architecture collection for Lalique began more than two years ago with the Visio and Manifesto vases, mini versions of her iconic skeleton facades. Inspired by fluid water, the partnerships new Fontana bowl would look completely at home in Florida settings. The numbered and signed limited edition is available in clear, black and midnight blue crystal.
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