Zaha Hadid....any info?

[DeadPencil]

Hello all

 

I'm currently in the process of writing a paper for university about the great architect Zaha Hadid.

 

I've found a fair bit of information in books and on various websites but I'm looking for some specific information which I cannot seem to find.

 

Does anyone have and good Hadid links?

 

I'm trying to find out information about what processes she goes through when designing a building...I'd like to know if she uses computer modeling software - if so which...I'd like to find out more about her office space and what she uses for inspiration.

 

I've heard that her architects usually show up for work at mid afternoon and work through to midnight. Also that she has a smoking room in her office. Are these all true?!

 

Thanks for any advice/information anyone has to offer.

 

Rob Deja

 

[ July 24, 2003, 08:36 AM: Message edited by: DeadPencil ]

[plastic]

well, there is a big exhibition about her in vienna right now, but i dont know if that helps you.

 

http://www.mak.at/e/jetzt/f_jetzt.htm

[DeadPencil]

Thanks for the link

 

I'm aware of the exhibition...shame I cannot attend

 

Unfortunately the link provides me with no information I didn't already know.

 

Thanks very much anyway.

[Diego Rosales]

Hi DeadPencil,

 

The first place to start is this: http://www.zaha-hadid.com

 

The architectural magazine El Croquis published two issues about her with extensive interviews about her work, her process, the value of digital tools in her practice, etc. This is a very popular publication that you can find in any arch school (I've even seen copies of it in public libraries).

 

This interview could also help.

 

The Archinect forum is a nice place to get gossip and the tidbits of her practice, but I don't believe everything said there to be academically reliable.

 

I don't know in which part of England you are right now, but the AA in London has a strong connection with her, you could go there. Check out the Triangle Bookshop!

 

And last but not least, there is Google, this little page full of surprises.

 

Have fun!

 

/Diego

[gigl]

ZAHA HADID in USA

 

 

http://www.domusweb.it/Domus/latest/singola_news.cfm?CodNews=21696&Tipo=1

 

[ July 24, 2003, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: gigl ]

[siliconbauhaus]

I'm always amazed at big name architects with such poorly designed websites

[DeadPencil]

Diego Rosales

Thanks very much for the information you supplied. The El Croquis interviews are new to me and very useful.

Unfortunately I'm not that close to London so it's a little difficult to make the trip there at this time. It certainly would be a worthwhile visit.

I think I've pretty much exhausted Goolge too. It now returns "error: NOT AGAIN!?" page everytime I type "hadid" into the search field.

 

Thanks gigl for the link you supplied. I've not yet registered with the site and not looked at the information but I will do soon.

 

http://www.zaha-hadid.com is not the most intuative website I've ever used I must admit. Although it does reflect her work quite well...can be confusing at times!

 

Thanks guys

[kid]

I read a book a little while ago called Architerctural Supermodels. It's about the role of the physical model in architecture today and how various architects use it in their design processes.

 

If I remember correctly, Hadid uses the same guy to make all her models, he's an architect who worked under her for some time before becoming a full-time model maker, so has a good understanding of how she thinks. They work quite closely together during the design phase.

 

Here's a link to the book - http://www.ribabookshops.com/Search/IdxCat/2367.asp

[DeadPencil]

Looks like a good book...I may have to check it out.

Thanks kid

[mbr]

Kid - Patrick Schumacher is the guy that you are thinking of. He's pretty much credited with most of the models. She really respects the guy and is always praising him ("he designs a plan like no one else"). He left the firm for a short time and is back now.

She recently competed for a building here at UCONN (Gehry got it) and she went through a lot of things. She's 'matured' a lot in her practice and is finally starting to building larger projects (and more of them).

 

So what I would recommend:

 

1. Go to weil am rhein and visit the Vitra headquarters. The firestation is awesome.

2. Buy her monograph, great book with an excellent intro by Aaron Betsky.

3. Buy her El Croquis, all of them if you can, if not, go with the monograph and the newest ElC.

 

Rumors: Well, I only had her for an intensive week long class, but I can tell you she likes to shop!

She also may be the next dean of columbia, but I would doubt that it happens.

 

I like the way that she constantly gives credit to her team, unlike many of the stars. That's great, considering how stylized her work is.

 

Oh, I assume that you've already looked into Malevich and the Constructivists? If not, you should. You'll see where she began all of her craziness.

[DeadPencil]

Thankyou for the useful information mbr.