2023-08-03 -- Zaha Hadid

Humans have an innate desire to express their inner emotions visually. This can be as fleeting as choosing a particular outfit or hairstyle, or as enduring as creating lasting impressions. For instance, at weddings, people often consider the long-term impact of their attire, as photographs will capture the moment for years to come.

Many individuals seek to express themselves through creative outlets, such as painting, writing, or building. In my case, I've incorporated personalized touches into my homes, like special bricks, to commemorate my presence and achievements

Even a dog wanted to leave its mark. I made sure to preserve its paw print, a reminder that my accomplishments are less significant than a dog pow print.

Some individuals possess talents and create works of art that far surpass the significance of a dog's paw print. Their contributions will be appreciated for generations to come.

Zaha Hadid(1) is one such individual. Her passing felt like a personal loss, even though we had no personal connection. Despite the historical animosity between Iranians and Iraqis, as well as the sectarian divide between Sunnis and Shias, Hadid's work transcended these boundaries

I admire Zaha Hadid's work so much that I even incorporated one of her iconic buildings into a presentation for Oracle Cloud World(2). (3 - @12:45)

Zaha Hadid's career is a prime example of gender discrimination. She faced significant challenges and was not taken seriously until her forties. Despite her untimely death, she made groundbreaking contributions to the field of architecture in just 25 years.

Various rankings place Zaha Hadid among the greatest architects of all time. RTF(4) ranks her fourth, behind Wright, Gehry, and Le Corbusier. NOVATR(5) also places her fourth, but after Gaudi, Foster, and Gehry. MYMOVE(6) ranks her fourth, following Gehry, Wright, and Pei. Interestingly, Archisoup(7) places her first, ahead of Gehry.

I've always admired the works of renowned architects like Frank Gehry(8) , Frank Lloyd Wright(9) , Le Corbusier(10) , Mies van der Rohe(11) , Moshe Safdie(12) , Cesar Pelli(13) , I.M. Pei(14), Norman Foster(15), and Gaudi(16).

I can spend hours, even days, poring over the intricate details of their designs. Their architectural masterpieces evoke strong emotions in me, often leaving me awestruck and sometimes even moved to tears. I believe these structures are a testament to human ingenuity and creativity, and I hope that if extraterrestrial ever visit Earth, they will appreciate the beauty and complexity of these architectural marvels and do not think we are primitive primates.

One of my engineering professors, a renowned figure who hailed from my hometown of Tabriz and attended the same high school, Ferdowsi HS, often emphasized our ability to independently design bridges. He argued that architects should not dictate engineering designs. Despite his accomplishments, I harbored resentment towards him.

Imagine a chemical engineer, skilled in designing pigments, venturing into the realm of architecture and basing their designs on color theory.

The distinction between a truly beautiful architecture and one that goes unnoticed lies not in the structural calculations, but in the artistry involved.

Unfortunately, many architects lack a strong artistic sensibility. They approach their work as a mere job, focused on financial gain rather than aesthetic value. As a result, they can design structures that are not only unattractive but also impractical and nonsensical. I've encountered many architects who fit this description.

Zaha Hadid is truly exceptional. Her ranking on any list is irrelevant to me. She possessed not only artistic talent but also a unique understanding of space and structural integrity. Some of her designs are incredibly complex, yet their underlying structure is remarkably simple and intuitive.

I had the opportunity to see some of Zaha Hadid's work firsthand in Innsbruck, Austria. This included a ski jumping hill and a tram line with its stations. Here are some photos.