Dame Zaha Hadid (1956-2016). Image © Brigitte Lacombe Incredibly sad news for the architectural scene occurred on the last day of March when Zaha Hadid, whose works have inspired thousands of architects from around the world, passed away at the age of 65 following a heart attack in a Miami hospital where she was being treated for bronchitis.
The Iraqi-born British architect is known for her supreme achievement and recognition as the first woman to receive the Royal Gold Medal from RIBA and to win the Pritzker Prize—one of the world’s most renowned architecture prizes often referred to as the Nobel Prize of architecture. Hadid’s outstanding works have always stood out and differed from that of others due to her use of state-of-the-art building technologies. Throughout her career, Hadid dedicated her life and work to creating a symbol of an era through her contributions to architecture. Zaha Hadid’s classic quote, “If you want an easy life, don’t be an architect” will continue to resound in the hearts of young and emerging architects as her exceptional works and inspirational spirit will forever be remembered. May her soul rest in peace, it is now the time to stop and rest.
