Zaha Hadid's sudden passing has led to an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from some of the profession's most prominent figures. A "brave and radical" trailblazer, and the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize, Hadid's significant impact on the world of architecture is undeniable. She will be missed.
"We are all shocked and devastated that we lost Zaha today, a most beautiful individual, talent, leader and friend," Patrik Schumacher, Director of Zaha Hadid Architects, wrote on Facebook.
We will continue to update this link as more tributes come in.
Amanda Levete told ArchDaily: "I feel immensely privileged to have known Zaha as a very dear and loyal friend, as a confidante, and one of the most extraordinary talents of our time.... When my son was very young, Zaha showed him how to write his name in Arabic. It was the moment I realised the genesis of her remarkable architectural language. She was an extraordinary role model for women. She was fearless and a trailblazer – her work was brave and radical. Despite sometimes feeling misunderstood, she was widely celebrated and rightly so. I will miss her deeply as will the world of architecture."
Angela Brady, former President of RIBA told The Guardian: “She was a tough architect, which is needed as a woman at the top of her profession and at the height of her career. She will be sadly missed as an iconic leader in architecture and as a role model for women in architecture.”
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London tweeted: "So sad to hear of death of Zaha Hadid, she was an inspiration and her legacy lives on in wonderful buildings in Stratford & around the world."
Daniel Libeskind tweeted: "Devastated by the loss of a great architect & colleague today. Her spirit will live on in her work and studio. Our hearts go out."
Jane Duncan, President of RIBA: “Dame Zaha Hadid was an inspirational woman, and the kind of architect one can only dream of being. Visionary and highly experimental, her legacy, despite her young age, is formidable... She leaves behind a body of work from buildings to furniture, footwear and cars, that delight and astound people all around the world. The world of architecture has lost a star today.”
John McAslan told AJ: "This is devastating and tragic news. Zaha Hadid was a phenomenal force in the world of architecture. An incredible character - brilliant, fearless, and irreplaceable."
Michael Kimmelman tweeted: "Sad news. She was astonishing, a groundbreaker, including as a powerful woman who showed that great architecture is not just a man's game."
MVRDV: "It is with deep sadness that we heard the news about the death of Zaha Hadid, an architect who had such a profound effect in our field. She was the swoosh of architecture, a role model for generations of female architects, a unique designer whose unprecedented influences stretched right across the globe. Her style was her own, finding the blend of organic and cutting edge, and has inspired a whole new typology of design, from buildings to furniture... We’d like to thank her for her contributions, for the inspiration and for doing all that she did for the architecture world."
Odile Decq told AJ: "The first Grande Dame de l’architecture and a great figure in many ways. She has open so many doors for women in architecture. She has become free and without any fear after having been forced to fight against sexist attitudes. Her architecture reveals her own freedom."
Paola Antonelli, MoMA's Senior Curator of Architecture & Design tweeted: "I am so so so shocked, I have no words."
Paul Goldberger tweeted: "Shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of Zaha Hadid's death: one of the great architectural figures of our time."
Pritzker Architecture Prize: "The Pritzker Family and the Pritzker Architecture Prize organization are deeply saddened by the passing of Dame Zaha Hadid. She was truly a pioneer in the field of architecture. The 2004 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, she represents the highest aspirations of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. She also served on the jury for one year. Zaha Hadid will be remembered for her talent, creativity, commitment, loyalty and friendship."
Richard Rogers told The Guardian: “She was a great architect, a wonderful woman and wonderful person... Among architects emerging in the last few decades, no one had any more impact than she did. She fought her way through as a woman. She was the first woman to win the Pritzker prize."
Yale School of Architecture: "Architecture today lost one of it's greatest. Zaha Hadid has died. Zaha was the current Norman R. Foster Visiting Professor at the Yale School of Architecture where she had taught regularly since 2001. She will be greatly, greatly, missed."
Ma Yansong told ArchDaily: "My mentor Zaha Hadid’s life was an inspiring story of fighting for independence, equality and respect, while battling for progress and change. She loved and embraced the world with sensitivity and criticality. Many understood her bold determination and unequivocal perspective. Her stunning works captured the world as an optimistic and beautiful place, and enabled architecture to captivate new audiences. As her student fifteen years ago, I was inspired and encouraged by her strengths and visions, and she will always continue to inspire both myself and everyone who experiences her work."
Moshe Safdie: “Zaha Hadid was, as her name signifies, made of steel. She had a radical vision and a particular sensibility about the world and she fought for its realization with courage against all odds. Her untimely passing makes us wonder what was yet to come. She will be missed.”
Norman Foster: "I am devastated by the news of the loss of Zaha Hadid and cannot comprehend the enormity of her passing away. I became very close to her as a friend and colleague in parallel with my deep respect for her as an architect of immense stature and global significance... I think it was Zaha’s triumph to go beyond the beautiful graphic visions of her sculptural approach to architecture into reality that so upset some of her critics. She was an individual of great courage, conviction and tenacity. It is rare to find these qualities tied to a free creative spirit. That is why her loss is so profound and her example so inspirational. And, besides, she was my dear friend."
Wolf D. Prix: "Zaha is the diamond of architecture. Radically bright and flowing at the same time, her architecture is a glimpse into an optimistic future. With her calligraphic designs and buildings, Zaha broke the boundaries of architecture and opened up new terrain. Form and program, content and shape were, are, and will remain her legacy. Thank you, Zaha, you were a generous friend."
Steven Holl told ArchDaily: "Zaha was a great friend since we first met at the Architectural Association in London in 1976. Last week she came to New York and we celebrated 40 years of friendship. She was an amazingly original spirit in architecture and her energy will live on through her incredible buildings. We will miss her deeply."
Peter Cook shared on A/N: "Zaha : the Great Light extinguished. From every point of view exceptional : As a direct, original, fearless personality. With a more than adequate supply of charm and humour. Used with more discretion than blandness. IMMENSE talent. Such that it either inspired, bewildered, or caused deep jealousy (that manifest itself in lesser talent to pick away at her motives, reputation or personality)..."
RIP our dear friend Zaha Hadid, the most important woman in architectural history. We're going to miss your lucidness, talent and humor.
Posted by Fernando Romero on Thursday, March 31, 2016
Of the many prescient things Rem Koolhaas has written, few are as spot on as this transcript from his days Zaha's tutor...
Posted by Joseph Grima on Thursday, March 31, 2016
Zaha Hadid changed the line of the known and the possible. RIP.
Posted by Storefront for Art and Architecture on Thursday, March 31, 2016
Creative Europe and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe are deeply saddened by the loss of Dame Zaha Hadid.The 2003 winner...
Posted by EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture - Mies van der Rohe Award on Thursday, March 31, 2016
