In Memorandum // Dame Zaha Hadid 1950 - 2016

Zaha Hadid - 1950 - 2016. Photograph by Mary McMartney (Zaha Hadid Architects)

Sudden death is never a happy affair. The shock is arguably even greater when perhaps the most famous and controversial architect of our time passes during what would have otherwise been routine treatment for bronchitis. The great outpouring of grief has however, allowed all those aligned both within and outside the field of design to reflect on her life and her work.
 
I profess that I have not always agreed with the work of Hadid. For me, her work has always been situated between controversy and sublimity. She has at times, been criticised for her opinions for the appearance of arrogance, a continued reminder that architects still fear the perception of the Howard Roark persona.  Indeed, I have at times found her dedication to curvatures and the forcing of structure and concrete to behave against their natural order difficult to comprehend. To indirectly quote a former professor, “If architecture is purely about form, then I’m frankly just bored.” Despite this, her occasional public works have proved successful, icons which will now stand as reminders of a brave new world of design and of Hadid’s determined push for a new approach to architecture beyond functionalism in the age of Rhino and 3D AutoCAD.
 
She possessed great courage, fortitude and bravery, reminding us that the defence of an idea should not be marred by criticisms which it will undoubtedly entail. Few people can, in the course of a lifetime, move from student to leader of a multi-disciplinary global practice, with work extending beyond architecture into furniture, crockery, fashion and jewellery. Zaha Hadid did…
 
I never had the pleasure of meeting her in person. My closest brush was merely to walk through her buildings and stride through the hallowed halls of the Architectural Association where she once studied. Her influence upon me remains one of mixed emotions, however, of her many quotes and reflections, we should take heart from her greatest words on a dedication to excellence, that, “Your success will not be determined by your gender or your ethnicity, but only on the scope of your dreams.” When we find that this torch of justice, fortitude and determination has fallen, we must remember to pick it up and hold it even higher.
 
It is unfortunate that in the 21st Century, Hadid still had to push the boundaries of gender equality in an industry where women remain severely underrepresented. It is also sad for example that we often brush aside Denise Scott Brown and Marion Mahony Griffin into nothing more than an obscure footnote of architectural discourse in the face of Robert Venturi and Walter Burley Griffin. In spite of this history of obscuring women, Zaha Hadid proved to be a torch bearer. And so, as we pay respect to the Queen of the Curve, let us also work towards the day where we will no longer need to be reminded that an architect is defined as ‘woman’ or ‘Muslim’ but simply as ‘architect’.
 
Rest in Peace Dame Hadid, and we will eagerly await the day when it is Girls who Run the World...