Last Wednesday, the 6th of April 2011, the famous architect Zaha Hadid held a lecture at the University of applied arts in Vienna.
Although she teaches a studio group for about ten years now, this was her first lecture in Vienna.
Although she teaches a studio group for about ten years now, this was her first lecture in Vienna.
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| picture: http://www.dieangewandte.at |
Zaha Hadid, who's originally from Iraq and born in Badgad, works and lives in London.
She is known for her deconstructivistic building, whos shapes a determined by chance. These are often difficult to realized and not easy to be used. Yet, she always found big support and encouragement from her collegues, such as Rem Koolhaas, Elia Zenghelis and Peter Rice.
Among many international awards she was the first woman to ever win the most prestigious award, the Pritzker Prize (architecture's equivalent of the Nobel Prize).
Furthermore, she was among Forbes "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" in 2008, while in 2010 she was named by the Time Magazine and the New Statesman as one of the most influential Thinkers and Figures.
She is known for her deconstructivistic building, whos shapes a determined by chance. These are often difficult to realized and not easy to be used. Yet, she always found big support and encouragement from her collegues, such as Rem Koolhaas, Elia Zenghelis and Peter Rice.
Among many international awards she was the first woman to ever win the most prestigious award, the Pritzker Prize (architecture's equivalent of the Nobel Prize).
Furthermore, she was among Forbes "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" in 2008, while in 2010 she was named by the Time Magazine and the New Statesman as one of the most influential Thinkers and Figures.
The little lecture hall (which was basically an atrium) was already filled an hour before the architect arrived. People where sitting and standing everywhere, just to be able to hear and see Ms. Hadid talk.
Among the listeners one could not only spot architecture students, but fellow colleagues of Hadid aswell, such as Wolf Prix from CoopHimmelb(l)au and Patrik Schumacher, director and senior designer of Zaha Hadid Architects. 
During the lecture Zaha Hadid presented an extract of her works over the years, as well as her most recent projects.
Among these, was her well known Vitra-Firestation in Weil am Rhein (D) which I had the opportunity to visit a few years back, without knowing much about its architect.
One can say, that the architect's intention "to place the elements of the commission in such a way that they would not be lost between the enormous factory sheds", were successfully realized. Without doubt, the Firestation stands out among the close-by Vitra-Design-Museum by Frank Gehry and Tadao Andos Conference Pavilion.
Among these, was her well known Vitra-Firestation in Weil am Rhein (D) which I had the opportunity to visit a few years back, without knowing much about its architect.
One can say, that the architect's intention "to place the elements of the commission in such a way that they would not be lost between the enormous factory sheds", were successfully realized. Without doubt, the Firestation stands out among the close-by Vitra-Design-Museum by Frank Gehry and Tadao Andos Conference Pavilion.
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| picture: http://www.zaha-hadid.com |
Another project Zaha Hadid talked about was the Guangzhou Opera House (China), one of my personal favorites.
The form concept is described as a "pebble in a stream smoothed by erosion, in perfect harmony with its riverside location". The glowing figure at night, and the flowing shapes within it, I find very fascinating.
The form concept is described as a "pebble in a stream smoothed by erosion, in perfect harmony with its riverside location". The glowing figure at night, and the flowing shapes within it, I find very fascinating.
The Opera House provides with 1,800-seats sorrounded by the very latest acoustic technology. The sea of tiny lights on a bronze-colored surface creates an impressive atmosphere for the audience.
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| pictures: http://www.zaha-hadid.com |
One of the more recently finished projects is the MAXXI, the Museum of XXI Century Arts in Rome (IT).
The thought behind this project was to move away from the museum as ‘an object’ and towards the idea of ‘a field of buildings’ accessible to everybody.
Therefore the MAXXI provides not only with spaces to exhibit art, but also room for research workshops for contemporary design, fashion and cinema, aiming to establish a dialogue between art and architecture.
Therefore the MAXXI provides not only with spaces to exhibit art, but also room for research workshops for contemporary design, fashion and cinema, aiming to establish a dialogue between art and architecture.
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| pictures: http://www.zaha-hadid.com |
Another interesting project Hadid talked about, was a residential building designed for a wealthy Russian. The socalled Capital Hill Residence in Moskow (RUS) is located on the Russian hill-sides, where trees grow up to 20 m high. The form of the villa comes from the natural topography of the surrounding. With its fluid geometries, the building emerges from the landscape, but is still able to remain partially embedded in the hillside.
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| picture: http://www.zaha-hadid.com |
While presenting a selection of her works, Zaha Hadid successfully provided with a very relaxed atmosphere. The lecture was peppered with many anecdotes from her childhood, as well as her first experiences in the field and a number of motherly advice for the students in the audience.
At the end, Hadid was asked by a student, what deeper meaning there is behind her projects. The architect's answer was very simple yet sincere. She said that there hasn't always to be a hidden message behind every work of art. Sometimes what you see is all there actually is.Encouraged by my friend, i found the voice to ask a question myself.
Her beeing the first woman to win the Pritzker and one of the first, maybe the only, female socalled "Star-Architect", I simply was curious to know, what she would recommend to young girls and women, planing to persue a career in architecture.
Her beeing the first woman to win the Pritzker and one of the first, maybe the only, female socalled "Star-Architect", I simply was curious to know, what she would recommend to young girls and women, planing to persue a career in architecture.
First a little bemused, Hadid answered straight and serious, that she knows very well the difficulties women have to deal with in this field. However, she encouraged not to let others limit our activities only to the planing of residential buildings, since these are known as the most feminine projects. Hadid said, that despite different phases in a woman's life, one should never completly stop working. Consistency is essential for one's success, as well as great support from the family. And, of course not letting anybody discourage you, but just continue the hard work and follow ones personal taste.
With these very inspiring words the lecture ended in a big applause.
Sourses & Links :
Zaha Hadid Architects http://www.zaha-hadid.com
University of applied arts in Vienna http://www.dieangewandte.at
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