Zaha Hadid, born in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1950, began her study of architecture in 1972 at the Architectural Association (AA) in London, and was awarded the Diploma Prize in 1977. She then joined the Office of Metropolitan Architectur, began teaching at the AA with Rem Koolhaus and Eliza Senghelis, and later led her own studio at the school. Her winning entry for The Peak Club, Hong Kong, in 1983 was followed by first-place awards in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cardiff, London, Cincinnati, Rome, Salerno, Innsbruck, and Wolfsburg. Completed projects include the Fire Station and LF one in Weil am Rhein, Germany, and the Mind Zone at the Millenium Dome in London. Her most recent installations are Addressing the Century at the Hayward Gallery in London and stage sets for the Pet Shop Boys World Tour and the Charleroi Dance Company in Belgium. Hadid's office is currently working on a variety of projects: a contemporary art center in Rome, a ski jump in Innsbruck, a major bridge structure in Abu Dhabi, and a car park for the Strasbourg Tramway.
