Zaha Hadid: London Aquatic Centre, 2012 Olympics

Exterior View, Render © Zaha Hadid Architects

Exterior View, Render © Zaha Hadid Architects

Exterior View, Render © Zaha Hadid Architects

Who is Zaha Hadid? Aside from being an internationally renowned architect, she has been chosen to design and build the 2012 Aquatic Center for the Summer Olympics in London.  Hadid has won many competitions with her influential and groundbreaking designs, most of which have never been built.  In 2004, she became the first female architect to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize (architecture's equivalent of the Nobel Prize). 

In 2008, Forbes ranked her 69th in "The Worlds' 100 Influential Women."  Time Magazine named her as an influential thinker in its 2010 100th issue. 

Why should we take note? Her works are often revolutionary, leading to cutting edge new technologies that transform the face of design.  The result after years of experimentation and research help create stunning, dynamic, and unusual forms. 



Construction Photography © Courtesy of ODA

Construction Photography © Courtesy of ODA

Construction Photography © Courtesy of ODA

Construction Photography © Courtesy of ODA

Construction Photography © Courtesy of ODA

The Aquatic Center in London exemplifies Hadid's interest in combining architecture with landscape and geology.  The design has the fluidity of water in motion allowing the surrounding environment of a river landscape to blend in with the structure.  Often her designs are abstract, allowing her observers to see what their brain wants to see. 

I have asked various people what do they see when looking at the Aquatic Center's design.  Almost all say something different.  Some say a leaf floating, a tongue, a whale's back, or even a wave.  Nonetheless, Hadid's fluid design has created a timeless piece of architecture that allows ones imagination to flow and see beauty not only in the building but the environment in which it sits.  An eternal style.