Zaha Hadid's profile picture

Zaha Hadid's Milestones

Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi-British architect known for her groundbreaking, futuristic designs and the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
1950

Birth

Zaha Hadid was born in Baghdad, Iraq, to Mohammed Hadid, a wealthy industrialist and politician, and Wajiha al-Sabunji, an artist.

Family October 31, 1950
1955

Early education in Iraq

Attended progressive schools in Baghdad; childhood trips to ancient Sumerian sites sparked her interest in architecture.

Education September 1, 1955 - June 1, 1965
1965

Boarding schools in Europe

Attended boarding schools in England and Switzerland.

Education September 1, 1965 - June 1, 1968
1968

Attended American University of Beirut

Studied mathematics at the American University of Beirut.

Education September 1, 1968 - June 1, 1972
1972

Moved to London for architecture

Moved to London to study at the Architectural Association School of Architecture.

Location September 1, 1972

Architectural Association School

Studied architecture under Rem Koolhaas, Elia Zenghelis, and Bernard Tschumi; graduated with a thesis inspired by Kazimir Malevich.

Education September 1, 1972 - June 1, 1977
1977

Worked at OMA Rotterdam

Worked at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture with Rem Koolhaas and Elia Zenghelis in the Netherlands.

Career July 1, 1977 - December 31, 1979
1980

Founded Zaha Hadid Architects

Founded her own architectural firm, Zaha Hadid Architects, in London.

Career January 1, 1980
1982

Early teaching career

Taught at the Architectural Association, Harvard, Cambridge, Chicago, Hamburg, Illinois, and Columbia; known for radical and imaginative designs.

Career January 1, 1982 - December 31, 1995
1988

International recognition

Featured in MoMA's 'Deconstructivism in Architecture' exhibition, establishing her global reputation.

Achievement June 1, 1988
1993

First major commission

Completed the Vitra Fire Station in Weil am Rhein, Germany, her first major built project.

Achievement June 1, 1993
1999

Notable early projects

Completed Bergisel Ski Jump (Innsbruck), Contemporary Arts Center (Cincinnati), Spittelau Viaducts Housing (Vienna), Phaeno Science Center (Wolfsburg), BMW Administration Building (Leipzig), Ordrupgaard Museum extension (Copenhagen).

Achievement January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2005
2002

Awards and honors

Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE, 2012), won Stirling Prize (2010, 2011), Praemium Imperiale (2009), Royal Gold Medal (2015), and numerous international awards.

Achievement January 1, 2002 - March 31, 2016
2004

Pritzker Prize

Became the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the highest honor in architecture.

Achievement March 22, 2004
2006

Major projects

Completed Bridge Pavilion (Zaragoza), Sheikh Zayed Bridge (Abu Dhabi), MAXXI Museum (Rome), Guangzhou Opera House (China), Riverside Museum (Glasgow), CMA CGM Tower (Marseille), Broad Art Museum (Michigan), and others.

Achievement January 1, 2006 - March 31, 2016
2011

London Aquatics Centre

Designed the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics, acclaimed for its sweeping roof and innovative structure.

Achievement July 27, 2011
2013

Heydar Aliyev Center

Completed the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan, praised for its fluid form and engineering innovation.

Achievement May 10, 2013
2016

Death

Died of a heart attack in Miami, Florida, at age 65; buried in Brookwood Cemetery, England.

Other March 31, 2016