Larger than life Zaha Hadid (1950-, Iraqi) is not afraid of a challenge. For a time her designs were considered too obscure to be realised, but she broke through with the Rosenthal Centre for Contemporary Arts in Cincinnati, USA. Her career has soared since, and she was the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize, awarded annually in the US and considered the 'Nobel prize' of architecture, in 2004.
What’s she famous for?
A passion for geometry that's evident across her portfolio. Her first project was a fire station at the Vitra production site in Germany, but it has since been converted into a chair museum. This was followed by a ski jump in Innsbruck, Austria, the BMW building in East Germany, a high-speed train in Naples and an opera house in Dubai. She was also responsible for the mind zone in the Millenium Dome.
What are her influences?
Hadid's work interprets Russian Constructivism through sharp, angular lines to convey a futuristic, streamlined feel. Her limited edition Vortex chandelier for Sawaya & Moroni demonstrates an attention to fluid design and is a nod to high end technological processes. Unfortunately you can only get it in Italy (price on request from Sawaya Moroni). Her limited edition Aqua Table is a cutting edge showpiece (from £12,808) or for space-age swank, her MOON sofa is the one to watch (£5198). Hadid has been commissioned to do the 2012 Olympic Aquatic centre in London.
