March 31, 2016
Dame Zaha Hadid (1950-2016), a noted architect, passed away from a heart attack in Miami on the morning of March 31, 2016
Condolences have started pouring in for Dame Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-British architect whose iconic designs added oomph to jaded city skylines and retail formats worldwide.
Dame Zaha died March 31 morning in Miami from a heart attack after being admitted to hospital earlier this week for bronchitis, according to a statement from her London-based firm. She was 65.
“A tribute to a truly inspirational woman,” said De Beers in a statement posted on Facebook. “We are saddened to hear of the death of Dame Zaha Hadid and send our condolences and thoughts to her family. Rest in Peace Zaha.”
Jeweler and diamond giant De Beers collaborated with Dame Zaha.
Starchitect
A celebrity architect, Dame Zaha was known as much for her curvaceous buildings as she was for appearing in society pages.
Born in Baghdad and educated in Beirut and London, she designed the London Aquatics Center that hosted events at the 2012 Olympic Games, the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati, OH, and the Guangzhou Opera House in Guangzhou, China. Her first New York commission for a luxury residential project in the Chelsea district is expected to wrap this year or next.
Dame Zaha was the first woman to win the Pritzker, the most prestigious prize in architecture. Last year, she was awarded the RIBA Gold Medal, Britain’s top gong in her field. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II knighted her for services to architecture.
In addition to designing buildings, Dame Zaha worked on branding collaborations with luxury brands and retailers such as De Beers, Georg Jensen, Harrods and Lalique. Her most recent effort was with Georg Jensen for three cuffs and five rings.
The architect is being remembered across social media, including Facebook and Twitter, for her groundbreaking designs.
“The Pritzker Family and the Pritzker Architecture Prize organization are deeply saddened by the passing of Dame Zaha Hadid,” the Pritzker Architecture Prize organization said in a statement on Facebook.
“She was truly a pioneer in the field of architecture. The 2004 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, she represents the highest aspirations of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. She also served on the jury for one year. Zaha Hadid will be remembered for her talent, creativity, commitment, loyalty and friendship."
Here is Luxury Daily’s coverage of Dame Zaha Hadid:
One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects in Miami, Architectural Digest reference
A few more references can be found here
Coverage elsewhere of Dame Zaha’s work:
11 striking buildings by Zaha Hadid: Architectural Digest
Jen King contributed to this article
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