• • 02 April 2016
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  •  Edwin Seda
• Opinion , Articles Books & Magazines , Obituary , African Modernity , Architects + Spaces , Architecture , Art , Makers of a Continent ,

Zaha Hadid 1950-2016: ArchiDATUM particularly focuses on Zaha Hadid’s influence on Architectural landscape in Africa. Albeit concentrated to Egypt and Morocco and all of thes projects only proposals, Zaha Hadid’s buildings perhaps show her courage and beauty under any circumstance.

The Pritzker Prize-winning architect carried with her the same tenacity and magnanimous altruism in all her projects regardless of geographical location. ArchiDATUM honours the starchitect, who has died suddenly aged 65, with a selection of projects that demonstrate her importance to contemporary architecture especially within Africa. Hadid suffered a heart attack on Thursday following treatment for bronchitis at a Miami hospital. One of the most prominent and successful female architects in the world, she is the epitome of eclectic acclaim and unanimous esteem.

Zaha Hadid, founder of Zaha Hadid Architects, was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize (considered the Nobel Prize of architecture) in 2004 and is internationally known for her built, theoretical and academic work. Each of her projects builds on over thirty years of exploration and research in the interrelated fields of urbanism, architecture and design. 

Related Story: Queen of Curves Zaha Hadid Dies at 65

Zaha’s Firm was involved in the development of the Cairo Expo City, a scheme inspired by the natural confluence patterns of the Nile delta. The outline is an 'exhibition and conference city' for Cairo — with a central 'river' and extending 'tributaries' explored to define circulation and the nature of clustered buildings — each with its own mass, all relating to an overall vision.

"This is a project whose fluid landscaped spaces feed the centres undulating volumes as sequenced vortex lines merge into patterned outer skins" Zaha later mentioned. 

The Stone Towers also in Cairo, one her most acclaimed projects in Africa, was a scheme that the firm carried out also in Cairo. Stone Towers, named for an ancient petrified tree at the heart of this new development, comprises state of the art office facilities for a rapidly expanding city, alongside a five star hotel, serviced apartments, restaurants, bars and a central landscaped area, the ‘Delta’. Our design mediates two distinct ‘edges’ – high speed ring road to the north and residential component to the south. Deliberately pursuing a rhythm of interlocking, yet individually differentiated building forms, static repetition is avoided and structures successfully merged within a cohesive landscape.

Related Story: Zaha Hadid's Complete Works in Africa

Hadid together with Patrik Schumacher, Viviana Muscetolla and Michele Magliano explored the Nile again in gracious volumes set alongside Africa’s longest River in what they called a striking addition to the city’s skyline. This furthered their philosophy of movement and techtonics via vis solid bold visual lines  

In cultural contexts, Zaha's Grand Theatre in Rabat Morocco culminates a list of eclectic techno-oriented architecture in a project that combines the prestigious history of the twin cities with an exceptional landscape formed by the fluid energetic Bouregreg River. Zaha Quipped “I am delighted to be building the Grand Theatre in Rabat. Morocco’s unique musical traditions and rich cultural history in the performing arts are renowned throughout the world. I am honored to be part of the cultural development of the nation’s capital.”

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