Zaha Hadid : The Queen of the Curve

Mar 118 min read

"There are 360 degrees, so why stick to just one?"

Zaha Hadid was not just an architect. She was a revolutionary. She transformed her ideas into masterpieces, merging art and science to create buildings that defied imagination. But behind every masterpiece lies a journey—a path filled with obstacles, doubts, and triumphs.

A childhood nurtured by art and education

Born in 1950 in Baghdad, Zaha Hadid grew up in an environment that nurtured both her creativity and intellectual curiosity. She was raised in a house inspired by the Bauhaus style, a notable example of modernist architecture that shaped her early perception of space and structure.

Her father, Muhammed Hadid, was an influential politician and successful entrepreneur in the textile industry. He co-founded the socialist Al-Ahli movement before becoming Minister of Finance after the 1958 coup. Her mother, Wajiha Al-Sabunji, was an accomplished artist, bringing an aesthetic sensibility to their home. These influences—politics, culture, and art—profoundly shaped Zaha’s aspirations.

From an early age, she showed a keen interest in Islamic mosaics, the undulating landscapes of Mesopotamia, and complex architectural structures—sources of inspiration that would later fuel her futuristic style.

Mathematics, for her, was not just an academic discipline; it was a way to express movement, shapes, and structures in the world around her. She often said, "Mathematics, for me, was like drawing."

This need to translate the world into equations naturally led her to architecture, a playground where mathematical concepts transform into physical forms.

Studies shaped by unique vision

After studying mathematics at the American University of Beirut, where she explored the relationship between numbers and the beauty of natural forms, Zaha Hadid moved to London to study architecture at the prestigious Architectural Association School of Architecture.

There, she did not follow established rules but redefined the boundaries of what an architect could create. During her studies, she stood out as a brilliant and radical young woman, far from conventional norms.

Elia Zenghelis, a professor at the Architectural Association, considered her one of the best students he had ever taught and nicknamed her "the inventor of the 89-degree angle."

She was influenced by thinkers such as Rem Koolhaas and Bernard Tschumi, but despite these inspirations, she maintained her unique vision: she did not dream of aligning straight and square buildings. She saw infinite possibilities in every space—a curve that could emerge, twist, or unfold.

Her early academic projects were not traditional buildings but ideas that broke free from classical geometric constraints. In her drawings, curves seemed alive, moving, defying all static and rigid forms. At the time, her creations were often rejected as too avant-garde. But this did not discourage her—on the contrary, it strengthened her determination to push even further.

Perseverence : from "Paper Architect" to "Queen of Curves"

For many years, Zaha Hadid was called the "paper architect," a title that reflected both admiration for her creative genius and skepticism about the feasibility of her projects. Her designs, often spectacular, pushed the boundaries of possibility. However, this boldness had consequences—many of her concepts remain unfinished sketches to this day.

For example, the project she envisioned for Kurfürstendamm in Berlin in 1986 or her visionary Peak Leisure Club in Hong Kong in 1983, which, despite generating excitement, remained mere models.

Yet, while these years of rejection might have discouraged many, Dame Zaha saw them as an opportunity to perfect her approach. She refused to let criticism define her future. Armed with unwavering patience, she studied emerging technologies, such as parametric design, to prove that what seemed impossible could, with the right tools, become reality.

In 1993, at 43 years old, her patience finally paid off when she completed the Vitra Fire Station in Germany—her first constructed building. This avant-garde structure embodied Zaha’s deconstructivist style, symbolizing her determination to challenge conventions and redefine architectural vision.

The success of this project was a turning point, proving that her architecture, once confined to paper, could be translated into tangible, functional structures.

A career marked by spectacular achievements and scientific innovation

Throughout her career, Zaha Hadid constantly pushed the limits of architecture. She mastered the art of blending originality and technical expertise, a talent that set her apart in her field.

In 1982, she won the "Architectural Design" Gold Medal for her innovative townhouse renovation concept in Eaton Place, London. Though never built, this project relied on meticulous calculations that reimagined space and volume organization while maintaining harmony in form.

Her scientific approach to space and geometric forms remained central to her work. She applied innovative modeling techniques incorporating advanced mathematical principles to design fluid and organic forms. Her early projects highlighted the role of scientific knowledge in her work: architecture transcended aesthetics and met strict technical requirements.

In 1988, the "Deconstructivist Architecture" exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York marked a turning point in her career. This event showcased Zaha Hadid’s innovative approach, where her projects relied on algorithms and complex geometric calculations to design structures that defied architectural conventions.

Unlike architects who adhered to classical geometry, Zaha Hadid exploited advanced digital tools, particularly parametric models, to create structures that abandoned angles and straight lines in favor of fluid, dynamic, and organic curves.

Her architectural approach relied on mastering digital tools, such as computer-aided design (CAD) software, to push the limits of what was achievable.

It was through her command of technology that she realized her most ambitious projects, such as the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, where fluid curves could not have been achieved without advanced digital modeling.

Mathematical precision was at the heart of her process, giving her the freedom to manipulate shapes and volumes with accuracy. Every project was an exploration of new possibilities, turning abstract ideas into concrete realizations that redefined architectural norms.

The science behind the architecture

Behind every improbable curve of Dame Zaha lies high-precision mathematical and scientific principles. But how do these abstract concepts take shape in architecture? Through two striking examples, let’s dive into the alliance between science and creation. From the meticulous calculations that structure the London Aquatics Centre to the biomimetic inspiration of human bones in the Vitra Fire Station, each building showcases the incredible power of science to transform space and push the boundaries of architecture.

Mathematics : a tool for reinventing architecture

Zaha Hadid’s work demonstrates how mathematics and science can be catalysts for creativity. Rather than simply following rigid rules, she reimagined them to conceive seemingly impossible geometric forms. By leveraging advanced digital tools, she employed algebraic calculations and dynamic systems to create buildings that appear to defy gravity.

A remarkable example of Hadid’s scientific approach is the London Aquatics Centre, designed for the 2012 Olympic Games. Inspired by the movement of waves, its undulating roof is based on a hyperboloid surface. This elegant and functional structure, supported by only three points, resulted from advanced parametric simulations, optimizing both force distribution and the building’s lightness.

For example, the distribution of compressive and tensile forces in the structure was optimized by solving linear systems and integrating bending moments. The overall shape, described by a function such as z(xy) = a sin(bx) + c cos(dy), was adjusted to ensure both stability and beauty.

The London Aquatics Centre proves that architectural beauty can emerge from mathematical rigor. Zaha Hadid transformed abstract calculations into a tangible masterpiece, where every curve is both functional and poetic.

Biomimicry : when nature inspires architecture

Biomimicry, a central concept in Hadid’s architectural approach, draws on the observation of natural forms and principles to solve human challenges. This method, combined with mathematical precision, reflects her commitment to integrating science and aesthetics. A prime example is the internal structure of human bones, with their lightweight yet robust trabeculae, which inspired the design of the slanted walls of the Vitra Fire Station. These walls are not merely aesthetic; they intelligently redistribute forces, ensuring stability and durability.

Consider the structure of human bones: they possess an exceptional internal design that makes them both strong and lightweight. Inside, they contain trabeculae, tiny filaments forming a lattice that absorbs forces and distributes stress efficiently. This allows them to support heavy loads without excessive weight.

The Vitra Fire Station, designed by Zaha Hadid, applies this same principle. The building’s slanted walls and angular forms are not arbitrary choices; they are meticulously designed to guide and redistribute forces, much like trabeculae in a bone.

When a fire truck accelerates or heavy equipment is moved, the building never experiences excessive strain at a single point. Instead, its inclined surfaces intelligently redirect forces, ensuring exceptional stability while optimizing material use. Thanks to this nature-inspired engineering, the station combines strength, elegance, and durability, proving that every angle and every line contributes to remarkable efficiency.

Global recognition and prestigious distinctions

Zaha Hadid’s scientific and creative genius was quickly recognized on an international scale. In 2004, she became the first woman to receive the Pritzker Prize, the highest honor in architecture, often regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in the field.

This recognition not only underscored her revolutionary approach but also the deep scientific foundation of her work. Her parametric algorithms and use of advanced modeling software are now considered essential tools in modern architecture.

Her accolades continued: Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters in France, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, the Japanese Praemium Imperiale (a prize created in honor of Prince Takamatsu), and the Royal Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects—all celebrating the impact of her work.

Each award highlights not only her contribution to architecture but also how science, particularly mathematics, can redefine the way we build our environment.

Building a future where education and creativity transcend limits

Zaha Hadid saw architecture as a universal language, capable of telling stories, awakening minds, and, above all, pushing the boundaries of possibility. But her ambition was not limited to her creations of glass and steel. She had another dream: to inspire young girls to develop a passion for science and mathematics—fields where they are often underrepresented.

For Zaha, mathematics was a form of poetry. This vision comes to life in Mathematics: The Winton Gallery at the Science Museum in London.

At the center, a 1929 aircraft appears to float, carried by a swirl of luminous curves. These elegant forms are not just art; they embody the equations of aerodynamics—the invisible flows that make flight possible. Here, mathematics becomes tangible, almost magical.

Hadid wanted to show that science is not cold or abstract, but vibrant and profound, capable of telling stories about nature and human progress. "Mathematics is the fabric of the world," she said, "and its beauty is revealed when it comes to life."

Hadid was not only a visionary architect but also a passionate educator. At 30, she became an assistant professor at the Architectural Association School, a position she earned thanks to her futuristic paintings. She knew that education could transform not just skills but lives. She admired her female students, often among the most talented, yet too often doubting themselves. For her, learning science had to be a creative adventure—an invitation to explore and imagine new worlds.

Through her works, from the mathematics gallery to her futuristic buildings, she posed an essential question: What if anything were possible? Her fluid forms and open spaces serve as metaphors for breaking invisible barriers—those of doubt, fear of failure, or norms that hinder ambition.

A legacy beyond architecture

On March 31, 2016, Dame Zaha passed away at 66. But her legacy extends far beyond the buildings she constructed or the theories she taught. She redefined mathematics—not as an elite knowledge but as a universal tool for those who dare to seek, dream, and invent.

A pioneer and advocate, she profoundly impacted a generation of female architects, encouraging them to break through societal barriers. To them, her message was clear: "You already have wings. Take flight, because you can go much further than you imagine."

Written by Nawel and edited by Intan

Sources :

Zaha Hadid : The Queen of the Curve

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